Laura Sharman
Tighter planning rules to protect communities from flood risk
Councils should ensure all planning applications made in flood risk areas are referred to ministers for approval under new guidance published today.
Review highlights 'widening cracks' in council complaints systems
The local government ombudsman has warned about the erosion to the way complaints are being handled by councils.
Children abused for decades under care of Lambeth LBC, inquiry finds
Hundreds of children were subjected to decades of cruelty and sexual abuse while in the care of Lambeth LBC, a damning inquiry has found.
Chiefs receive lower pay offer
Council employers have offered an improved 'final' pay offer to staff but have offered council chief executives and chief officers a lower increase.
Local government given partial self-isolation exemption
Local government has been included on a list of sectors that may be allowed to ignore COVID self-isolation rules, the Government has confirmed.
Public finances improve
The public finances improved last month as economic activity picked up though debt remains at a record high, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Councils forced to suspend waste services due to staff shortages
Several local authorities have been forced to reduce or suspend waste and recycling services due to staff having to self-isolate and a national shortage of drivers.
County approves hybrid model of working for staff
Nottinghamshire County Council will adopt a hybrid model of flexible working from October.
Local government funding cuts have ‘probably cost lives,’ study warns
Cuts in local government funding over recent years have probably cost lives and reduced life expectancy, academics have warned in a new study.
Local government audit close to 'breaking point'
The timeliness and quality of auditing local government spending is undermining accountability and effective spending decisions, a watchdog has warned today.
Committee calls for urgent consultation on UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Local authorities in Scotland should be consulted on how much funding they will receive under the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), MPs have said.
Coalition calls for reforms to ‘flawed’ apprenticeship levy
The Government has been urged to make urgent reforms to the 'flawed' apprenticeship levy by a coalition by local government and major employers in London.
Two decades of economic interventions have failed to help poorest communities, report warns
The last 20 years of local economic interventions have consistently failed to address the inequalities across the UK’s most deprived communities, a new report has warned today.
Jenrick to reduce competitive bidding
The communities secretary has pledged to reduce the number of funds councils have to compete for as part of plans to consolidate the sector’s funding.
Welsh council to end property joint venture
Powys CC has decided to end its joint venture with Kier, and bring housing and building maintenance services back in-house.
Treasury launches consultation for business rates revaluations every three years
The Treasury has made further moves towards business rates revaluations taking place more frequently.
High Court rejects low traffic neighbourhoods challenge
A legal challenge against Lambeth LBC's low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) has been rejected by the High Court.
CIPFA to publish strengthened local government prudential code
A new code of practice to ensure local authorities’ financial plans are 'affordable, prudent and sustainable' will be published by the end of the year.
Scottish council told to improve housing and education services
Aberdeen City Council has been warned to improve its housing and education services by the public spending watchdog.
HMJ: Report warns of a ‘post-pandemic bereavement crisis’
Bereaved people are struggling to access support due to long waiting lists and ineligibility for services, new research has found.
