The Department for Communities and Local Government has a political powerhouse as its new chief, but can he usher in a new era of autonomy for councils, asks David Williams
A High Court ruling that has given a grandmother the right to be paid the same amount as a foster carer for looking after her 15-year-old granddaughter could have wide-ranging implications for carers...
It is not surprising the electoral system has been a big issue this week, but few would have guessed reforms would have to incorporate the polling stations themselves. David Williams reports on a bad...
A higher turnout than normal gave Labour gains in last week’s local elections, but councils of all political shades face unpopular decisions on spending cuts, experts have warned
Polling stations across the country were thrown into disarray last night after high turn-outs, thinly spread resources and large volumes of postal votes stretched the UK’s antiquated electoral system...
Green issues took a back seat in the general election but that’s no reason for town halls and NHS trusts to ignore them. Installing wind and solar power in public buildings will cut both costs and...
In the election campaign, all the parties promised the public a starring role in running and vetting public services. But where’s the evidence that people want to be actors on this bigger stage?...
Fresh thinking about the design and provision of services will be needed if councils are to cope with the difficult times ahead, the chief of Scotland’s local government spending watchdog has warned
An ‘almost unique’ council with serious money problems should ask the Audit Commission to devise a less onerous inspection regime for it, according to a local government finance expert
A European Commission proposal that would have imposed huge fines on public bodies that pay bills late has been defeated after lobbying by local authorities and the NHS
Over-centralised government is at the root of many problems. But all parties remain trapped in a mind-set that prevents public services from breaking free, argue Roger Latham and Malcolm Prowle. In...
The local elections should attract a large number of voters thanks to the simultaneous national elections. And that could lead to some strange results. David Williams reports
Birmingham City Council has admitted its £2.7bn highways Private Finance Initiative contract is still weeks away from being signed off, overshooting an April 1 deadline for works to begin.
