Mark Conrad
Councils welcome PWLB rate extension
Councils have welcomed chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to extend preferential Public Works Loan Board borrowing rates for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) expenditure.
Council directors call for ministers to ditch 'senseless' immigration crackdown
An influential group of experts – including council directors – has urged ministers to ditch ‘senseless’ plans to tighten visa requirements for social care and health workers.
Fresh concern over police withdrawal
Council directors are concerned police forces could end involvement in ‘welfare checks’ as part of controversial care reforms to stop attending non-emergency mental health callouts.
EXCLUSIVE: Asylum seeker dispersal only reaches 60% mark
The Home Office’s Full Dispersal policy of placing asylum seekers across all UK regions has delivered just 60% of Whitehall’s target and ministers have asked councils to propose solutions.
Autumn Statement: Hunt announces surprise LGPS plan
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a surprise target to ensure all Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds are invested in asset pools of £200bn or more by 2040.
Autumn Statement: Living Wage hike places council budgets under pressure
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed the biggest-ever hike in the UK minimum wage – but the move places strained council finances under fresh pressure.
New study exposes public scepticism over levelling up
Half of UK residents think policies introduced by the Conservatives will impact negatively on local economies, according to a new study that cast doubt on the levelling up agenda.
Levelling up ambitions blighted by delays, says NAO
Ministers’ levelling up ambitions have been blighted by delays to key construction projects, with many deadlines unlikely to be met, the UK’s spending watchdog has warned.
Councils brace as Supreme Court outlaws Rwanda asylum plan
The Supreme Court has ruled the UK’s controversial proposal to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda is unlawful – a decision likely to impact local government.
Job cuts 'inevitable' at Brum
Birmingham City Council is poised to reveal a worse-than-expected financial position as it embarks on a savings drive and ‘inevitable’ job cuts, The MJ has learned.
Department's financial views questioned
Levelling up civil servants have told council chiefs financial pressures have eased but watchdogs have warned other Whitehall departments may be driving local government’s costs.
Cleverly comes under immediate asylum pressure
New home secretary James Cleverly has come under immediate pressure to ditch his predecessor’s controversial asylum centre in his constituency.
Spectre of s114 looms over Nottingham
Nottingham City Council has edged closer to issuing a section 114 notice after revealing it still faces a significant in-year deficit despite tightening its purse strings.
Housing minister among casualties of Sunak reshuffle
The UK will have its 16th housing minister in 12 years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s sweeping reshuffle affected the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Brum commissioners warn council will need further help to agree lawful budget
Commissioners at Birmingham City Council have warned it will struggle to agree a lawful budget next year without further help.
Watchdog warning over elections
It could take a generation to restore public confidence if there are major problems at the next General Election including with voter ID, a watchdog has warned.
DLUHC blasted over levelling up failure
The levelling up department has been blasted for failing to deliver its remit by a senior sector figure.
Gove's pay plan dismissed as 'unnecessary gimmick'
Communities secretary Michael Gove’s embryonic plan to require full councils to approve top salaries has been dismissed as an ‘unnecessary gimmick’ by sector figures.
Homes England launches tookit to help councils
Homes England has launched a toolkit designed to help councils identify shortfalls in their housing capacity amid a review of the regeneration agency.
Council told to focus on 'getting basics right'
South Holland DC should focus on ‘getting the basics right’ before pushing ahead with more innovative improvement proposals, sector peers have reported.
