William Eichler
Mind the gap between levelling up ‘rhetoric and reality,’ think-tank warns
Central Government policies have undermined the levelling up agenda and left the UK more regionally divided than ever, a new study has claimed.
Council to bring recycling centres in-house
Kirklees MBC is to bring its household waste and recycling centres in-house as part of an effort to give the council more control over public-facing services.
Two districts approve merger plans
Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon DCs have both agreed to merger plans that will establish a single South Warwickshire DC.
Council named for not paying minimum wage
Hampshire CC has been named as one of 200 employers that has failed to pay the minimum wage in some cases.
Veolia and Suez merger criticised by competition authority
The merger of Veolia and Suez could lead to a loss of competition in the supply of several waste and water management services in the UK, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Councils should use procurement to boost local economies, think-tank says
Local authorities should strive to be more ethical and place-sensitive when buying goods and services, a think-tank has said.
Council pledges to support children after services rated ‘inadequate’
The leadership of North East Lincolnshire Council has pledged to protect and support young people after the local authority’s children’s services were judged ‘inadequate’ overall.
County takes action after warning it may have breached procurement law
Cambridgeshire CC has made a number of improvements to its processes after an external audit found the local authority might have breached procurement law.
Council leaders warn HGV driver shortage could hit gritting services
Local authority leaders have warned that the HGV driver shortage might hit gritting services this winter.
South Ayrshire Council’s slow transformation ‘frustrating’, auditors say
South Ayrshire Council’s services perform well but the council has been slow at making necessary changes to the way it delivers these services, auditors say.
Budget 2021: Sunak unfreezes public sector pay
Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the Government will unfreeze public sector pay and raise the national living wage.
More social housing could save councils nearly £600m a year on housing support
A new study has calculated that councils could save millions of pounds if money spent on housing support was invested in building homes in the social rented sector.
Auditors question financial sustainability of Welsh councils
Auditors have questioned the sustainability of local authorities in Wales despite the improved financial position councils have experienced as a result of pandemic support.
Council apologises for SEND failures
Suffolk CC has apologised to families who rely on special educational needs and disabilities provision after a report found the council was 'not performing well'.
Welsh government confirms £5m town centre funding
The Welsh government has confirmed that £5m of loan funding will be made available to support the regeneration of town centres.
Richard Leese to step down as Manchester leader
The leader of Manchester City Council, Richard Leese, has announced his intention to step down after a quarter of a century at the head of the council.
Welsh councils must provide ‘ambitious leadership’ to revive high street
Local authorities in Wales have been urged to use their existing powers and resources to make town centres sustainable.
High Court grants permission for levelling up fund legal challenge
The High Court has granted permission for a legal challenge to the levelling up fund after campaigners accused the Government of using it for political purposes.
Yorkshire council in shortage warning
North Yorkshire CC has warned it faces dramatic adult social care staff shortages.
Labour market recovery uneven, think tank warns
Tourism-reliant areas have seen job numbers pick up over the summer, but the jobs recovery is uneven and has a long way to go, according to a new analysis.
