Local Government Chronicle
24 May 2012
View all stories from this issue.
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‘We believe local authorities have a key role to play’
There is much discussion and anticipation around the delivery of the government’s new benefit payment system, the universal credit. -
An urgent need for reduced complexity
Director, Greater London Group, London School of Economics -
Anger over plan for 50:50 business rate split
The Treasury has been accused of sacrificing economic growth for centralism after announcing it would keep control of half of all business rates collected by councils. -
Big changes in the social sector are still to come
The introduction of universal credit represents perhaps the greatest reform of the welfare system since the days of the Poor Law. What is becoming increasingly clear is that the impact on local authorities is potentially just as great. -
Consultants to model community budget potential
Consultants Ernst & Young have been appointed by the LGA to model the potential savings available from rolling our community budgets across the country. -
Councils to inherit 'forced academy' debt
The Department for Education has confirmed that councils will inherit the deficits of schools that are forced to become sponsored academies. -
Experts hit back at Stunell's council tax benefit comments
Ministerial claims that councils can meet a 10% cut in council tax benefit funding by increasing taxes on second and empty homes have been questioned by finance officers who warned of a negative effect on local economies. -
Green agenda in need of sector offer
There has been a plethora of different announcements recently on the so-called ‘green agenda’. These include further funding for carbon capture and storage, support for shale gas fracking and the potential for raising the EU targets still further, so that a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 would be a legal requirement. -
Inside Out - Animals don't vote but there are votes there
I had a major row with my partner this week about foxes. I lost hands down. It all started over a Channel 4 programme about urban foxes and developed into a well-argued challenge about whether local authorities take animal welfare seriously. -
Keeping trust with communities
It is now clear that after many years of recognising the complexity of the existing benefit arrangements for claimants that a serious attempt is being made to simplify the system with the aim of incentivising people into work whilst attempting to protect the most vulnerable. -
Lead by example to energise elections
The local elections produced another low turn out. About a third of the electorate bothered to vote, even with the added ‘excitement’of deciding on an elected mayor in some cities. -
LGC View - Welfare reform
Lord Freud’s article for LGC about the important role for local authorities in delivering the universal credit highlights the success that councils have had in muscling their way into the thinking of ministers on welfare reform. -
Living up to the localism rhetoric
Suggestions that reserves could be used to bail out revenue spending budgets are more attempts to play to the press. -
Localism has hit a sticky patch
It’s not just Greece where the popular mood is “we don’t know what we want, but we don’t want this”. -
Mediawatch - Final score 10-9: it's time to talk to the local press...
Its been a season of with some dramatic high scoring results- but this weeks one beats the lot- final score 10- 9, but more of that later. -
New sanctions likely for 'underperformance' on troubled families
The Department for Communities & Local Government has confirmed new sanctions for councils that “consistently underperform” on its troubled families initiative. -
'No' vote cities fighting for devolution
The government is proud of its localist credentials. It is critical of past governments top down targets and dictats. -
Out went £1.6bn - in came £1.7bn
My theme has been to emphasise the need to choose policy priorities to manage the large cuts in government grants to local authorities. It’s not going to be possible to continue to balance budgets simply by efficiencies, sharing services, and service redesign. -
Parish code of conduct unveiled
The membership body for parish councils has published a detailed template code of conduct for members and urged them not to use the LGA’s less prescriptive template code. -
Paying for social care before it is too late
How social care is to be delivered and paid for is the biggest issue facing local authorities in the next few years. -
Referendums needed on police reforms
I’m agnostic about which system of governance councils and communities adopt. It’s a local choice whether you want the committee system, the cabinet system or an elected mayor. -
Services must come before structures
Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire have a history of working together. We’ve now agreed a memorandum of understanding which will require a must-do look at bi and tri lateral solutions to the downsizing. -
So much to do, so little time
The government’s welfare reform programme is set to have a significant impact on local authorities over the next four years or so. -
The devil is in the detail
Everyone I speak to agrees with the government’s basic reasons for their reform of welfare - in making the system simpler, in reducing the overall cost, giving people the skills to take control of their lives and most importantly in making work pay. -
The route to real innovation: developing efficiency through learning
Innovation has become a business buzzword that often drives dramatic change and upheaval. It is a word that pushes teams into rapid activity to develop elaborate ideas that form the basis of new business strategies. -
We’ve more information, but not enough
With more details of the localisation of council tax benefit out this week, councils will be looking ahead to a busy summer of consultation with the public on the future council tax support or discount schemes which will replace council tax benefit from April 2013.
