The government should develop an economic strategy to support England’s fastest growing cities, including financial powers to boost housebuilding and maintain higher levels of productivity,...
English local government has a “predictable and supportive” institutional framework that means the sector is transparent and stable, according to an analysis by the credit ratings agency...
Education secretary Nicky Morgan has set out more details of reforms to the funding formula for schools, which will remove local authorities from any role in the distribution of resources.
An independent commission led by Lord Kerslake has called for a major package of fiscal devolution to local authorities in London as part of an effort to double the supply of homes in the capital.
Local government workers risk becoming the “whipping boy” for public sector austerity as a result of the pay offer from council employers, the Unite union has warned.
Bungalows and other homes for older people could make up as much as a quarter of council properties sold to fund a controversial government extension to the Right to Buy scheme, a report has...
Community assets transfers are gathering pace as councils seek to offload maintenance costs. But communities need support and some funding to make them a success
The Department of Health’s understanding of how to commission personalised adult social care services is outdated and inadequate, especially when money is tight, the National Audit Office has...
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced plans to make the council tax in Scotland more progressive and to end the nine-year rate freeze if the Scottish National Party returns to government after...
The Department for Education is unable to track the effectiveness of £2.7bn being spent on a flagship free childcare programme, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
Full local retention of business rates will not provide sufficient funds to allow councils to maintain early intervention services at current levels, a poll of councillors has found.
The Local Government Association has today reiterated that councils may not be able to provide a school place for every child unless they are given additional powers, including the ability to force...
The government’s plans for the High Speed 2 rail link are already changing Britain by complementing devolution initiatives to help rebalance the economy away from London, project chief Sir David...
Faced with some stark financial pressures, Burnley Council set up a strategic partnership with Liberata. This will provide opportunities to save money, secure growth and allow staff to assist other...
Carolyn Williamson made savings by bringing in new ways to work rather than cutting back at Hampshire County Council. A focus on shared services, working with the police, fire and other organisations...
Councils in England are planning to raise an additional £372m in revenue to fund social care pressures, according to a Local Government Association analysis – however, the organisation is...
Local authority pension schemes will today submit plans to government to pool their assets into so-called British Wealth Funds, with seven proposals now set to be submitted for approval.
Cambridgeshire County Council has become the first local authority to approve the operating framework for the UK Municipal Bond Agency, meaning it could form part of the first bond issue.
Councils will have to compete with other authorities or companies to process planning applications in their area under Department for Communities and Local Government reforms intended to speed up...
