Increasing local accountability for services and improving the fractious relationship between town halls and Whitehall could create an 'upward curve' in democracy, the Local Government Association's...
All social landlords should come under a single regulatory system by spring 2010 at the latest, according to the newly appointed head of the Tenant Services Authority.
The long-term growth in household energy consumption is beginning to reverse, with energy efficiency in the home improving by 19% between 1990 and 2004, according to a National Audit Office report on...
Attempts by the government to improve the housing market in the North of England and the Midlands have been more 'successful at demolishing old homes' than building new ones, a committee of MPs has...
The 20 most rural local authorities in England have received £20m to ensure young people can study for the 17 new diplomas, five of which will be rolled out this September.
The high take-up of indicators related to volunteering and third sector organisations in the latest Local Area Agreements will benefit the most vulnerable people, the Cabinet Office has claimed.
Councils are confused. On the one hand, Hazel Blears promises a new white paper to empower them. On the other, she is busy devolving control away from them to local citizens. But there's no...
Local government commissioning has become a much more complex and strategic exercise, involving a variety of different agencies and systems. John Tizard discusses what's needed to do the job properly
Sir Michael Lyons has said the concordat between central and local government, signed last year, falls short of the constitutional settlement proposed in his report on the future of local government.
Health inequalities remain 'unacceptably' wide in England, according to ministers, who have urged primary care trusts and local authorities to close the gap.
Scotland's biggest council has dealt a blow to the Scottish Government's plans for a local income tax by warning that it could lose up to £133m a year.
Councils are being asked to urgently review their surveillance operations after allegations that they are using them for matters such as rubbish dumping.
Social landlords must not use the downturn in the housing market as an excuse for delaying development schemes, a leading civil servant told delegates.
Better use of public sector assets will form a vital part of the operational efficiency programme due to be launched by the Treasury within weeks, Yvette Cooper told the conference.
The government is facing the biggest assault yet on its public sector pay policy after council workers in trade union Unison voted for 'sustained' industrial action - beginning with a two-day strike...
What does the future hold for public sector finance teams in a globalised environment? More shared services, pared down back-office operations and beefed up finance functions are all possibilities,...
Some politicians are pushing for primary care trusts to be more democratically accountable but NHS managers argue that the current reforms should be given more time before making changes. Richard...
Ministers have promised a review of the vexed question of top-up treatments. But with those seeking the right to buy extra care at loggerheads with those worried about inequity, what should the NHS...
There's an ill wind blowing and it's threatening the government's housing and urban regeneration plans. But there are ways to mitigate the worst effects of the credit crunch
