Latest Local Government News
Councils to keep just 50% of business rates
LGA slams proposals as “falling well short” of hoped-for freedom
Council tax benefit funding set out
Hardest hit councils to see some protection - but others advised to use reserves and efficiency savings to plug funding cut
Lansley against 'slamming together' health and social care
Health secretary calls for alignment between activity and outcomes
Commissioners plump for in-house support over outsourcing
‘Unproven’ commissioning support services not trusted
News round-up 18/5: Police privatisation put on hold
More time needed to dispel concerns | Further details of Hilton-Kerslake row
Welfare changes could leave councils footing redundancy bill
DWP tells councils housing benefit staff will not be covered by Tupe regulations
‘Certainty rate' indecision posing 'time and money' burden for councils
Uncertainty over Treasury’s March announcement that councils could access cheaper borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board
Climate watchdog calls for duty on councils
Committee on Climate Change calls for statutory carbon plans - but LGA dismisses duty idea as “a blunt instrument”
Whitehall school funding formula sparks concern for council role
Councils say Education Department proposals could be step towards ending school funding role
News round-up 17/5: MPs grill Kerslake over growth fund
Hodge - ‘I don’t trust your figures’ | Kent district eyes nuclear site
We say...
Localism does not mean isolation
The plans to abolish locally set school funding criteria raise fears for small rural schools and illustrate the government’s confused thinking on localism
Views from the panel
Fresh focus for financial management
The current ‘comfort ‘of resource forecasting will be swept away with obvious impacts for maintaining robust and effective financial management
Austerity a springboard for creativity
The process of decommissioning can be constructive, creative, and - most importantly - result in better outcomes
Latest Blogs
Did Portas have a point?
Many of the points outlined in Mary Portas report on high streets struck a chord with life in Westminster, but it is the comments on reducing betting shops that continue to resonate. Cllr Daniel Astaire, cabinet member for business at Westminster City Council explains
The welfare time bomb
Local government insiders have described the government’s welfare reforms as a “time bomb” for local government, and in recent weeks you may have heard a whispered countdown.
LGC in the news
Your Testimonials
LGC testimonials
Prominent people in - and working with - local government say what LGC means to them…
Citizen power: the ChangeMakers project
The full force of social productivity
There is little disagreement from either left or right that reductions in public spending will demand a transformation in ways of working
Important Note
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Latest Opinion
Holding council performances up to comparative scrutiny
Comparative statistical analysis has been displaced from the Audit Commission to the core of government
Inside Out - Internet Trolls
A few prosecutions for racism is insignificant given the prevalence of nastiness on social media
Comment
Independent arbiters can help councils negotiate the 'fair' cost of care
Earlier this month insurance company LV= published research that estimated that the cost of providing long-term care for our ageing population will reach £38bn by 2025
Future Fund
Put your digital vision into practice…
The launch event of the Future Fund challenge from O2 attracted representatives from almost 50 councils
Media Review
News round-up 18/5: Police privatisation put on hold
More time needed to dispel concerns | Further details of Hilton-Kerslake row
