Dan Peters
Council hit by £4.6m employment tribunal payout
A council that harassed and discriminated against one of its directors will look to appeal an ‘excessive’ £4.6m award for damages by an employment tribunal.
Councillors back Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
Proposals for a mayoral devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire have been approved by the three upper-tier councils.
Leader bullied two senior officers, report finds
A council leader’s behaviour towards two senior officers amounted to bullying, a report into a code of conduct complaint has found.
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant'
South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Homelessness inquiry launched by NAO
The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched an inquiry into homelessness as the issue piles pressure on squeezed council budgets.
EXCLUSIVE: No pay offer until after local elections
Local government employers will not make a pay offer until after the upcoming local elections in May, The MJ understands.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Experts in fresh push for fiscal devolution
An independent group of experts is preparing to pile pressure on ministers to back fiscal devolution, The MJ understands.
Right to Buy lobbying fails as Treasury ends temporary boost
The Treasury has confirmed councils will no longer keep 100% of Right to Buy (RTB) receipts after the current financial year despite lobbying by the sector.
Two-year Sandwell intervention to end
Local government minister Simon Hoare has today confirmed that Whitehall’s two-year intervention at Sandwell Council will end.
Budget: Trailblazer devo deal for North East
The North East has secured a trailblazer devolution deal that could provide a package of new funding potentially worth more than £100m, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced in his Budget.
Cladding issue could be 'tip of iceberg'
Barnet LBC has warned fire safety issues with nearly 600 low-rise homes could be ‘just the tip of the iceberg across the country’.
CIPFA pleads for Oflog costs to be kept down
It is ‘unrealistic’ to think the Office for Local Government (Oflog) will not pile fresh resource pressures on councils, finance experts have warned.
Lending rates could spike after audit reset, LGA warns
Proposals to reset the local audit system and clear the backlog of accounts could drive up the lending rates offered to the sector, councils have warned.
Call for Whitehall homelessness strategy after rough sleeping spike
London Councils has called for a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness after Government data showed a 30% rise in rough sleeping in a year.
LGA 'strengthens' peer challenge but still won't name and shame resistant councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its ‘strengthened’ corporate peer challenge (CPC) to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Government 'recognises' increased temporary accommodation demand
The Government has said it recognises the challenges local authorities face in responding to the increased demand for temporary housing.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities
Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
Audit Commission fears continue to haunt Oflog
A senior sector figure has expressed concerns about the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) direction of travel.