MJ Correspondent
Digital decentralisation
Cllr Theo Blackwell on Labour Digital's plans for how local government could use technology to drive decentralisation agenda - a digital Magna Carta
Bonus is 'disproportionate attack' on council finances
A council has criticised the New Homes Bonus for being a ‘disproportionate attack on local authority finances’.
DCLG probe into council's rugby deal
Government officials have launched a probe into Salford City Council’s dealings with a local rugby club.
Troubled Families head confident about scheme's future
The head of the Government’s Troubled Families programme has expressed her confidence about the future of the initiative.
Rogers expected to carry on in SOLACE role
Liverpool City Council’s under-fire boss is unlikely to become the public face of English local authority chief executives, we understand.
Pickles: Rotherham should be wake up call for local government
Communities secretary Eric Pickles has said the Rotherham child abuse scandal should act as a ‘wake up call for local government’.
Enthusiasm 'high' for Better Care Fund
The new BCF programme director has insisted council chief executives have not lost interest or enthusiasm for delivering the flagship policy.
More councils accused of publicity code breach
A further batch of councils have today been ordered to comply with the Government’s publicity code.
Research: Bonds agency will help councils
The LGA's municipal bonds agency will help local authorities secure funding more easily and cheaply, new research suggested.
More collaboration needed to increase infrastructure investment
More collaboration among LGPS is needed if they are to increase investment in infrastructure, a leading employer representative has suggested.
Loughton urges chiefs to join the frontline
Council chief executives and cabinet members should go back to the frontline, former children’s minister Tim Loughton has told The MJ.
More councils eye combined authorities
Councils in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have added their names to a growing list of those looking at creating combined authorities.
Bucks backs crowd-funded study
A council has welcomed news that businesses have crowdfunded £25,000 to pay for a review of local government in the area.
Hull leader battles to become core city
The leader of Hull City Council has vowed not to give up his attempts to join the Core Cities group despite his approach being blocked.
No to shake-up call
Suggestions that a redrawing of council maps would improve the planning system have been trashed by the sector.
Research reveals gap in county grant funding
Treasurers have claimed residents in two-tier council areas receive a third of the government funding doled out to some areas of London.
Rochdale’s hunt for a new chief
As Rochdale MBC searches for a new chief executive, Dan Peters talks to council leader Richard Farnell about his vision for the borough
Labour 'won't lose sight' of fiscal redistribution'
Labour has insisted its commitment to fiscal redistribution will not be lost in the drive for economic growth.
Directors urged to keep a check on topping up of care home fees
Social services directors should check relatives of care home residents are paying top-up fees out of choice, a charity has urged.
The bandwagon rolls
A sweeping new wave of combined authorities could be formed if informal discussions taking place around the country lead to action, The MJ has learned.
