Dan Peters
Gove: My most exciting job yet
New communities secretary Michael Gove has argued that the renaming of his department is a ‘sign of confidence in local government’.
Gove: Planning reform not off the agenda
New housing secretary Michael Gove has warned councillors that the idea of reforming the planning system was ‘not at all’ of the agenda.
Call for new zero-carbon powers
The leader of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Lib Dem group has called for councils to be given powers to compel developers to build zero-carbon homes.
Forbes: We need a new crime to tackle rising abuse
The leader of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Labour group has called for the intimidation and harassment of public officials to be made a specific crime.
Councillors fear blame for looming tax rise
Senior councillors have expressed fears they will be blamed for raising council tax amid a false perception that the Government has sorted social care.
EXCLUSIVE: Questions over taskforce purpose
Local government associations have called for ministers to define the purpose of a new taskforce ahead of April’s launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Employers dig in as they refuse to reopen pay talks
Council employers have dug in to defend their ‘full and final’ pay offer despite warnings that months of disruption could lie ahead.
Pressure rises on Gove to build social housing
Pressure was this week mounting on new housing secretary Michael Gove to ramp up the building of social homes amid predictions of growing homelessness.
Council has 'made progress' since chief's departure
South Ribble BC has ‘made progress to address historic governance issues and challenges,’ according to a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review.
LGA: External audit firms need to address their shortcomings
Town hall leaders have said external audit firms ‘need to address their shortcomings’ to improve the timeliness of audits.
Willis to leave troubled Thanet
Troubled Thanet DC has struck a deal that will lead to the departure of its deputy chief executive and Section 151 officer Tim Willis.
Pension fund stands firm on fossil fuel investments
The West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) has knocked back a call from trustee Kirklees MBC for it to stop investing in firms that produce fossil fuels.
Disruption warning as unions ask for pay talks to resume
Unions have urged council employers to return to the negotiating table with an improved pay offer amid warnings that months of disruption could lie ahead.
Government defeated over council involvement in skills plans
The Government has lost a House of Lords vote after peers demanded councils should be involved in drawing up local skills improvement plans.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils brace themselves for local government exit pay cap
Councils are bracing themselves for the return of exit pay cap proposals as Whitehall officials draw up plans specific to the sector.
Thanet issued with rare Section 24
‘Serious concerns about the ability of senior officers to work together’ has led to cash-strapped Thanet DC being issued with a rare Section 24 notice.
Audit completion rate drops to 9%
Just 9% of local government bodies’ 2020-21 audits were completed by the end of September target date, according to the latest data.
District hopes of controlling £500m fund dashed
District hopes to be put in control of handing out the new £500m household support fund have been dashed after a ‘bizarre’ government decision.
Government moves towards all-in deposit return scheme
The Government is moving towards backing an all-in deposit return scheme (DRS) for all plastic bottles, glass bottles and aluminium drinks cans, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Government admits Everyone In data gap
The Government has admitted it has no idea how many rough sleepers housed under Everyone In have returned to the streets.
