Transport
Unleash wave of mayoral devo, says Onward
A report from the centre-right Onward think-tank has urged the Government to step back from ‘micromanaging’ England’s cities and counties, and unleash a wave of mayoral devolution.
A big deal for Cornwall
Cornwall has ambitious plans to address the stark place disparities that have widened as a result of the pandemic, writes Kate Kennally.
Leveraging climate investment into our cities
Chair of Core Cities Marvin Rees says the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission has identified £200bn of investable projects in cities across the country to create new jobs and decarbonise our economies.
Grasping the spirit of Chamberlain
After 150 years, local government is still talking about former Birmingham mayor Joseph Chamberlain. As we approach the annual Chamberlain lecture, we asked some of the current council leaders, what will their legacy be?
Delivering school transport services during a fuel crisis
The cost of living has been especially felt in home-to -school transport, says Nicola Beach. The Government may need to look at the particular county-based issues in delivering it and set out specific and targeted solutions, she adds.
England’s planning system is broken
Tom Stannard sets out the scale of the regeneration challenge, including the vital need to improve transport connectivity – and he says an unreformed planning system represents a real threat to the Government’s levelling up agenda.
England’s poorest areas hardest hit by austerity
Residents living in England’s most deprived areas were hit hardest by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity, a think-tank has found.
White van man on... rail fares
Amazingly, the brain-boxes that claim to run the Government have worked out that if you cut prices you get more customers, unless that is, you’re from the council, when you can jack up the council tax and there’s sod all you can do since you can’t take your business elsewhere.
Dover to ‘review involvement’ with forum after days of chaos
Dover DC is ‘reviewing its involvement’ with Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) following days of traffic chaos.
How ‘levelling up’ got left out of the Spring Statement
The chancellor mentioned the ‘levelling up’ agenda just once in his Spring Statement. Without serious financial backing, the missions in the White Paper are at risk of remaining unfulfilled, says chair of SIGOMA Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Counties warn of school transport crisis
Hikes in fuel costs are meaning local authorities are having pay providers significantly more, according to a report published by the County Councils Network (CCN) today.
Future Forum North: local government still lacks a plan for delivering sustainability
Local government still lacks both a plan for delivering sustainability and a way of measuring the impact of investment, says a Northern council director.
Southern comfort
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran outlines a new report setting a possible future course for local government across South East England in adapting to challenges as diverse as Brexit, climate change, COVID and the Levelling Up White Paper.
No time like the present to commit to buses
The importance of buses in levelling up cannot be overstated, but political ambition supported by tough funding decisions will required to realise their potential, says Andrew Carter.
Devo should not be about what Whitehall is prepared to cede
After nearly a decade of devolution, the Levelling Up White Paper has finally created a blueprint for devolved decision-making. Jessica Studdert calls for less ‘divide and rule’ and more decentralisation.
Huge pressures facing transport for children with special educational needs
London Councils is calling on the Government to provide urgent funding to match the increase in demand and costs in special educational needs transport services, says Cllr Damian White.
Strong civic leadership is key to better public transport
When urban regions work together, they can create more strategic and impactful transport strategies and they should turn to regions like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands for inspiration, says Alistair Gordon.
It’s time for local leaders to unleash their creativity on levelling up
The lack of a central roadmap in the Levelling Up White Paper offers a unique opportunity to local leaders, Georgina Cox and Marc Kidson of PA Consulting.
Partnership is the key to future prosperity for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
The Levelling Up White Paper has recognised the value of LEPs, public-private partnership and the voice of business, says Alun Rogers - providing an opportunity to press ahead with a renewed focus on Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP's future role.
Airport expansion ‘flies in face’ of democracy
The leader of North Somerset Council has expressed his ‘extreme disappointment’ at a decision to allow the expansion of Bristol Airport.