Local Government Chronicle
23 July 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Welsh government steps in at Anglesey
The Welsh government has announced that it is intervening in the running of Isle of Anglesey CC following a damnng auditor’s report into the island council’s affairs -
Barnett reforms won't work
As one major grant allocation system sinks gently into the sand, along comes a parliamentary committee to propose another. -
Building on the best around the world
On both a local and national level Britain’s public services are in better shape than ever before — crime is down, public satisfaction with healthcare is at an all-time high and more pupils than ever before are gaining good GCSEs. -
Council launches older people's hotline
Hampshire CC, seen as a pioneer for its groundbreaking social care initiatives, has commissioned a national charity to pilot a universal information and advice service in one of its districts. -
Council service cuts loom, say managers
An overwhelming majority of senior council managers expect to provide fewer services as public spending dramatically tightens, an LGC survey has revealed. -
DCLG set to fail on value target
A rising headcount at the Department for Communities & Local Government means it could miss its value-for-money target, official documents have revealed. -
Foreign affairs for local councils
Overseas work experiences needn’t cost the earth. Several councils have made big gains and helped developing countries through partnerships — and often at little cost. -
Growth incentive fund cut by third
Funding for the government’s flagship scheme for encouraging business growth has been reduced by a third due to the crisis in the public finances. -
Help that’s child’s play
Three councils have risen to the all-important childcare challenge — and provided benefits for jobseekers, dads and young mums. -
Housing fees put off until 2011
Councils across England will avoid paying up to £17m after the new social housing regulator decided to waive its fees for next year. -
How cities worldwide tackle hard times
Centralism is hampering action to counter the recession. Neil McInroy presents the findings of his worldwide study tour on how cities are responding to hard times. -
Intervention at troubled council
Welsh ministers are to intervene at strife-torn Isle of Anglesey CC after a damning audit report found it was “not being properly run”. -
LGC Efficiency Survey
How do council managers face the challenges ahead? See the results of LGC’s Efficiency survey in association with iMPOWER -
Local role after college funding debacle?
Watchdog MPs have called for a probe into local authorities’ potential to raise capital to help deal with the aftermath of the Learning & Skills Council’s (LSC) college funding debacle. -
Ministers eye second wave of eco-towns
Councils not involved in the first wave of eco-towns have been urged to submit plans from which ministers hope to identify a further six projects. -
National Care Service mooted
Some questioned whether it would ever see the light of day. Others predicted it would be a damp squib. But no one thinks the government’s much delayed social care green paper is a debate that doesn’t need to happen. -
New editor takes over at LGC
Emma Maier has taken the reins as LGC’s new editor -
New pay deal offers up to 1.25%
More than 1.5 million local government workers are to be offered a minimum 1% pay rise after the employers’ negotiators moved to end political deadlock over the 2009-10 pay deal. -
NSPCC's child therapy warning
Councils and the NHS are not doing enough to help thousands of sexually-abused children get the therapy needed to recover from their ordeal, according to a report. -
Paper is little aid to efficiency drive
Local government is bracing itself for some tough talking over the next few years. -
Reform of HRA linked to £18bn debt
Ministers are on a collision course with local government after outlining plans to claw back an £18bn-plus debt from local authorities in exchange for reforming the council housing finance system. -
Rule change sparks council tax fear
New accountancy rules for councils could lead to additional council tax hikes of 3% next year unless the government intervenes, finance experts have warned. -
Somerset chief talks about departure
Somerset CC chief executive Alan Jones has been speaking to LGC over his resignation following victory in a bitter battle with the council’s former deputy leader -
Staring into the abyss
Tough choices lie ahead, but can greater public input deliver better and cheaper services? -
Sustainability plans take root
Financial penalties for residents who concrete over gardens and the abolition of VAT on green home refurbishments are being considered by councils using new government legislation. -
Technology is key to transformation
Once upon a time there was a bank that was only open between 9:30am and 3:30pm. The people thought it was a good bank. -
Tough decisions ahead
Although five alternatives were presented in the green paper, in essence these boil down to just two. The free-at-the-point of use comprehensive system and a variation of the partnership model detailed in the King’s Fund’s 2006 report from Sir Derek Wanless on the future funding of long term care. -
Winterton backs elected regional government
Local government minister Rosie Winterton has spoken of her continuing support for elected regional government.
