January
The most predictable theme has perhaps been the perennial lack of funding. Soothsayer and former top civil servant at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Jeremy Pocklington kicked things off with his financial forecast. He told a select committee: ‘Our assessment looking at the sector as a whole is that the financial position is sustainable.’ Mr Pocklington has now taken his crystal ball to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Meanwhile, signs that refugee policy would climb to the top of the political agenda were clear, with MPs on the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee questioning the rationale behind Government cuts to funding.
February
Local government secretary Michael Gove gave a sneak preview of the trailblazer deals for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. He also said devolution deals for Cumbria and other areas in the North of England were in the pipeline, including Lancashire, Cheshire and Warrington, and Hull and East Yorkshire.
The Government said it would let Thurrock, Croydon and Slough – aka the three effectively bankrupt councils having issued section 114s – hike council tax beyond the normal 5% referendum limit.
The Treasury’s ban on new local government capital spending was said to present an ‘existential threat’ to levelling up, and Whitehall officials told the sector they did not intend to create league tables as they pushed ahead with the new local government performance body the Office for Local Government (Oflog).
March
Local government employers refused to offer the same pay increase to council chief executives as to the rest of their staff.
The report by Richard Penn into the reasons for the financial collapse of Croydon LBC said ‘heads must roll’.
The Local Government Association (LGA) unveiled plans to beef up its oversight of councils. Peers criticised the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill for a lack of detail, and West Lindsey DC planned legal action to block the Home Office from putting a processing centre for asylum seekers on a former Ministry of Defence airfield. The council said the plan would threaten a £300m levelling up project.
April
The MJ exclusively revealed a woeful return on the £750m bed blocking scheme after its drive to reduce delayed discharges cost £4.3m per bed.
Councils expressed deep concerns about Government plans to remove Afghan refugees from hotel accommodation amid a ‘chronic’ shortage of affordable housing, and Grant Thornton told the Public Accounts Committee September’s deadline for local audits would not be achievable without swift measures to tackle problems.
And in another exclusive, DLUHC said it had no figures tracking the level of abuse and exploitation of Homes for Ukraine refugees.
May
On a refreshing note, managing director of Broadland and South Norfolk councils Trevor Holden hit the headlines for his rap video recorded under the name T-Dawg. His explanation of the voter ID requirements in the local elections included: ‘Some may call it suppression, but don’t be a square. It’s about making sure this election is fair.’ Who’s to blame for this episode? Did he write this stuff himself? The whole fever dream nature of it all inspired Brixton Brewery to produce limited edition Yes We Cans of its Session IPA.
Labour took on the leadership of the LGA following the Conservatives’ local election losses, and senior members became casualties, including former chairman Lord Porter – who lost his seat on South Holland DC.
Home Office officials were adamant its Full Dispersal asylum policy was ‘well under way’ despite many local authorities remaining unaware of local targets, while senior council figures questioned whether the Prime Minister’s pledge to stop the use of asylum hotels was deliverable.
A report into Woking BC’s finances was described as making the council look like ‘Thurrock on speed’.
June
Experts warned that councils were not ready for the major consequences of the Metropolitan Police Services’ (MPS) ‘unilateral’ decision to withdraw from non-emergency mental health callouts.
Beleaguered Woking BC issued a section 114 notice as it continued to work with Government on a solution to its financial crisis.
Early estimates suggested thousands of people were turned away and unable to vote in the local elections following the rollout of voter ID.
Sheffield City Council apologised ‘unreservedly’ after a report found the authority badly handled a dispute over the felling of thousands of healthy trees.
Also in June, Barnsley MBC were big winners at this year’s The MJ Achievement Awards as they secured the Local Authority of the Year prize.
An impressive 1,000 people were in attendance to enjoy the big day, which continues to recognise the tireless efforts of the sector.
July
The sector united in mourning the sad loss of former chief executive and DCLG permanent secretary Lord Bob Kerslake, following his death aged 68.
Labour councillor Shaun Davies became the new chair of the LGA, and minister Lee Rowley announced a ‘system reset’ in a bid to cut the backlogs dogging local audit.
Funding was pulled for the £170m Hoo Peninsula on the Medway and £140m South Lancaster Growth Catalyst in a blow to the Government’s housebuilding targets.
And this month Guildford BC Southampton and Bradford city councils, and Kent CC were among many, many authorities to sound the alarm over their finances over the year.
August
The eviction of Afghan refugees from hotels began, despite qualms from councils left to pick up the temporary housing bill.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council was issued a Best Value notice for its ‘unrealistic’ budget.
Kent CC issued a direct plea to children’s services directors to take in more asylum-seeking children arriving in the county.
And The MJ revealed £62m of a fund designed to provide housing for refugees has gone unclaimed by local authorities.
September
Birmingham City Council hit the headlines as it issued a s114 notice. The Government responded by sending in a team of commissioners led by – who else? – Max Caller.
Fife Council lost a court case on equal pay brought by homecare, cleaning and catering staff – a legal ruling with ramifications for the whole sector.
The Government’s bid to end the deadlock over nutrient neutrality rules in the Levelling Up Bill was blocked by peers over environmental concerns.
PM Rishi Sunak also (sort of) U-turned on the Government’s seven-bin recycling plan.
October
LGA chief executive Mark Lloyd announced his departure from the association after eight years in the role.
Storm Babet battered Britain, with councils called upon to tackle flooding and aid in the recovery efforts.
A Solace survey somewhat unsurprisingly found widespread scepticism among council chief executives on Oflog’s ability to improve performance and warn of failures.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill became law (finally) after 18 months of wrangling.
Meanwhile, Croydon mayor Jason Perry called for new laws to enable council officers to be held to account.
November
Lancashire, Cornwall, Hull and East Riding and Lincolnshire all secured devolution deals as part of the Autumn Statement, but hopes for financial help for the sector were largely dashed.
Similarly, the first King’s Speech for seven decades brought glitz and glamour but little cheer for the sector other than new powers to tackle rogue landlords.
In a surprise move, Levelling Up Fund round three cash was awarded to unsuccessful round two bids.
And the ongoing row between South Cambridgeshire DC and DLUHC saw a Best Value notice issued over its four-day week trial.
December
The Home Office won a court case to locate an asylum centre on a former military base in Lincolnshire. West Lindsey DC said it would appeal the High Court decision.
The MJ reported on Nottingham City Council’s issuing of a s114 notice after it emerged the authority would be unable to cover an in-year £23m budget gap.
Mr Gove announced the sector will receive a minimum 3% funding increase before council tax in next year’s funding settlement. A disappointed District Councils’ Network described it as ‘tight’.
And The MJ held its Future Forum North event in Manchester.
As we await to see what 2024 has in store for the sector, The MJ wishes you all a restful festive season and a very happy new year.
