http://www.lgcplus.com/RSS/Communities_RSS.xml en-uk Councils face delay and uncertainty over whether they can secure grants for pioneering housing joint ventures. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/joint_ventures_face_registration_delays.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/joint_ventures_face_registration_delays.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D 28 August 2008 08:01 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Council%20Housing%201_resized_70_tcm16-159275.jpg Councils are gearing up to deal with with a bank holiday weekend disrupted by illegal raves, according to the Local Government Association. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_on_holiday_rave_alert.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_on_holiday_rave_alert.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Louise Hunt 22 August 2008 13:38 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-rave_resized_70_tcm16-1806207.jpg House building levels have fallen by nearly a fifth over the past year, new government figures show. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/house_starts_nearly_20_down.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/house_starts_nearly_20_down.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 21 August 2008 16:01 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/construction_workers_resized_70_tcm16-1221687.jpg The number of Eastern Europeans applying to work in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since EU accession, according to the latest Home Office statistics. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/eastern_european_arrivals_fall.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/eastern_european_arrivals_fall.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Louise Hunt 21 August 2008 16:22 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-workers_resized_70_tcm16-1805605.jpg The New Local Government Network (NLGN) wants local councils to be given a new role in collecting population statistics, arguing that £500m of public money could be wasted on the next census. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/nlgn_involve_councils_in_census.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/nlgn_involve_councils_in_census.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Robin Latchem 21 August 2008 11:55 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/People%202_resized_70_tcm16-159691.jpg Wolverhampton's Raising Enjoyment & Achievement (REACH) scheme is tackling underperformance in 14-16 year olds. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/enjoyable_learning.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/enjoyable_learning.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Kathy Oxtoby 22 August 2008 10:09 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-design_resized_150_tcm16-1805900.jpg Councils across the UK are celebrating their contribution towards Team GB’s medal haul at the Beijing Olympics. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/team_gbs_golden_councils.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/team_gbs_golden_councils.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Louise Hunt 20 August 2008 13:27 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-adlingtonhighres_resized_70_tcm16-1795980.jpg The government should overhaul its waste targets for local authorities, a heavyweight committee of peers has concluded. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/call_to_rethink_waste_targets.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/call_to_rethink_waste_targets.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D 20 August 2008 09:37 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Refuse2_resized_70_tcm16-168429.jpg Alex Salmond has announced £100m plans to accelerate affordable housing delivery as part of a wide-ranging package to help Scotland’s economy. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/scots_accelerate_affordable_housing.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/scots_accelerate_affordable_housing.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 20 August 2008 09:03 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/alex_salmond_resized_70_tcm16-1531977.jpg The government has been forced to delay the publication of its eco-town shortlist, it has emerged. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/Communities/news/2008/08/ecotowns_shortlist_delayed.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/Communities/news/2008/08/ecotowns_shortlist_delayed.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D James Illman 19 August 2008 12:54 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/eco_towns_resized_70_tcm16-1676017.jpeg Councils should be developing strategies to protect older people against climate change, according to new research. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/call_to_protect_elderly_from_climate_change.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/call_to_protect_elderly_from_climate_change.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Louise Hunt 19 August 2008 13:21 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/oldwalkingstick_resized_70_tcm16-1744088.jpg London mayor Boris Johnson has promised Britain's triumphant Olympic athletes a bus-top victory parade through the capital's streets. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/mayor_promises_olympic_parade.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/mayor_promises_olympic_parade.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D 19 August 2008 08:53 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/boris_johnson_resized_70_tcm16-1222016.jpg A majority of voters and MPs agree that councils have a key role in tackling climate change, according to new research published by the LGA. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_backed_over_climate_change.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_backed_over_climate_change.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Robin Latchem 19 August 2008 08:20 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Environment%20sign_resized_70_tcm16-159423.jpg A decision by the Boundary Committee to delay the new Cornwall unitary authority's first full election has sparked anger and disappointment. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/anger_at_cornwall_election_delay.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/anger_at_cornwall_election_delay.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 18 August 2008 13:47 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/one-cornwall_resized_70_tcm16-1800982.jpg Traders in a traditional market trying to sell their wares to passing customers have been told by council officials to keep the noise down. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/hexhams_market_hushhush.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/hexhams_market_hushhush.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Robin Latchem 18 August 2008 15:17 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-Hexmarket33_resized_70_tcm16-1801301.jpg Social services will have to step in more often over the welfare of dangerously overweight children if Britain's obesity epidemic continues to grow, council leaders have warned. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/care_warning_over_child_obesity.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/care_warning_over_child_obesity.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Robin Latchem 18 August 2008 10:03 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-obesity_resized_70_tcm16-1800343.jpg A loophole in the licensing laws means councils are unable to act on residents’ concerns about lap-dancing clubs, according to the LGA. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lap_dancing_loophole_should_be_closed_lga.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lap_dancing_loophole_should_be_closed_lga.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Mark Smulian 15 August 2008 16:00 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/stripper_resized_150_tcm16-1744208.jpg A rise in the number of homes being repossessed has prompted fresh concerns about council housing waiting lists. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/house_repossessions_jump.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/house_repossessions_jump.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 15 August 2008 14:10 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/housing%20(nice)_resized_70_tcm16-459638.jpg An attempt by two councils to merge their workforces is in disarray after a last-minute report revealed nearly a third of staff stand to lose thousands of pounds. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/workforce_merger_halted.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/workforce_merger_halted.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Mark Smulian 14 August 2008 08:43 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/adur-worthing_resized_70_tcm16-563303.jpg A proposed national network to process surveillance checks on rogue traders, fraudsters and fly-tippers could lead to savings. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/home_office_looks_at_surveillance_network.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/home_office_looks_at_surveillance_network.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Jim Dunton 14 August 2008 13:07 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/tyres_resized_70_tcm16-1797655.jpg Bristol City Council has made an official apology to a group of its workers over a report misrepresenting their views on gay sex and shrub clearance. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/bristol_sorry_for_confusion.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/bristol_sorry_for_confusion.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Paul Donovan, Reporter 14 August 2008 08:48 Residents will lose legal rights to complain about noise or pollution caused by major infrastructure construction projects under proposals to revamp the planning system, council leaders have warned. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/construction_protection_fears.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/construction_protection_fears.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 13 August 2008 17:13 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-building-site-2_resized_70_tcm16-1797544.jpg Regeneration funding should be allocated directly to councils as part of a radical package which includes moves to encourage migration from the north to the south of England. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/think_tank_scrap_regeneration.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/think_tank_scrap_regeneration.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D David Blackman 13 August 2008 09:52 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/new-derelict_resized_70_tcm16-1796693.jpg Milton Keynes Council has signed up to a new £80m outsourcing contract in a bid to ramp up its increase recycling programme and reduce its carbon footprint. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/milton_keynes_outsources_recycling.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/milton_keynes_outsources_recycling.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D James Illman 13 August 2008 13:56 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/recycle%20paper_resized_70_tcm16-642403.jpg Councils are being encouraged to learn from fellow authorities to help save money, clean up their streets and make them better areas to live. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_urged_to_copy_others.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_urged_to_copy_others.html;jsessionid=76E3FFCCB1058317B7A231F396A1CE9D Robin Latchem 13 August 2008 08:17 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Refuse2_resized_70_tcm16-168429.jpg