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Laura Sharman

Articles by Laura Sharman

Children's services pushed to 'breaking point'

By Laura Sharman | 11 May 2017

Council leaders have warned that children’s services are rapidly becoming unsustainable as they f...

CIPFA warning over voluntary mergers

By Laura Sharman | 20 April 2017

Councils will be unable to cover the costs of voluntary mergers in Wales using their reserves, th...

General Election halts Christchurch's referendum on shake-up

By Laura Sharman | 20 April 2017

Plans to hold a referendum on local government reorganisation in Christchurch will be delayed fol...

LGPS deficit plummets to £35bn

By Laura Sharman | 24 March 2017

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) deficit has fallen to half the level previously expect...

Bid to oust Hodge as Surrey leader thwarted

By Laura Sharman | 21 March 2017

An attempt to oust the leader of Surrey CC in the wake of an alleged ‘sweetheart deal’ with the G...

Budget 2017: Funding for new wave of free schools

By Laura Sharman | 08 March 2017

Chancellor Philip Hammond has today confirmed a £320m funding package to build 110 new free schools.

Councils sign partnership deal

By Laura Sharman | 02 March 2017

Two Essex councils have agreed to explore further joint working and sharing of services.

Council scraps controversial LOBOs

By Laura Sharman | 28 February 2017

Newham LBC has agreed to scrap its controversial lender option borrower option (LOBO) loans with ...

Social care system in 'imminent' danger

By Laura Sharman | 16 February 2017

One in eight older people are failing to get the care they need, demonstrating the ‘imminent’ dan...

Councils call for academy intervention powers

By Laura Sharman | 10 February 2017

Councils have called for new powers to help transform struggling academy schools.