http://www.lgcplus.com/RSS/Finance_and_Corporate_Services_RSS.xml en-uk Councils handing out shopping vouchers if they miss appointments is one of the ideas being explored by a new government review. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/review_into_complaints_handling.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/review_into_complaints_handling.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Jo Stephenson 27 August 2008 10:39 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Hazel%20Blears%20jan%2008%20(searle)_resized_70_tcm16-455587.jpg The Electoral Commission has called for the creation of regional boards to help ensure elections are better run. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/commission_urges_elections_overhaul.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/commission_urges_elections_overhaul.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Jo Stephenson 27 August 2008 09:10 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/ballot%20box_resized_70_tcm16-757390.jpg Sue Bruce has been appointed the new permanent chief executive of troubled Aberdeen City Council. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/bruce_takes_over_at_aberdeen.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/bruce_takes_over_at_aberdeen.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 David Blackman 26 August 2008 16:03 Local authority employers in Scotland have agreed to re-open talks over a pay deal for the country's council workers. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/pay_deal_no_longer_three_years.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/pay_deal_no_longer_three_years.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Louise Hunt 22 August 2008 08:19 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-demopaisley_resized_70_tcm16-1806937.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/eastern_european_arrivals_fall.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Louise Hunt 21 August 2008 16:22 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-workers_resized_70_tcm16-1805605.jpg Councils have under-estimated the economic benefits of migrants to local economies, according to a report from a leading centre-left thinktank. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_accused_of_underestimating_migrations_benefits.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_accused_of_underestimating_migrations_benefits.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 David Blackman 26 August 2008 11:17 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/People%201_resized_70_tcm16-159687.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/nlgn_involve_councils_in_census.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Robin Latchem 21 August 2008 11:55 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/People%202_resized_70_tcm16-159691.jpg Tens of thousands of local government workers in Scotland, members of three unions, have been on a 24-hour strike over pay. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/council_workers_strike_in_scotland.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/council_workers_strike_in_scotland.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Louise Hunt 20 August 2008 08:33 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Unison%20logo_resized_70_tcm16-111000.jpg Regeneration projects could be hit by the recent change in business rate relief on empty shops, offices and warehouses, it is claimed. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/rate_change_threatens_regeneration.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/rate_change_threatens_regeneration.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Robin Latchem 18 August 2008 09:16 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-building-site-2_resized_70_tcm16-1797544.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/house_repossessions_jump.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 David Blackman 15 August 2008 14:10 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/housing%20(nice)_resized_70_tcm16-459638.jpg Birmingham City Council has withdrawn its revised single-status pay and grading offer thrashed out in talks with unions in the spring. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/birmingham_pulls_pay_offer.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/birmingham_pulls_pay_offer.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Jim Dunton 15 August 2008 13:10 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/birminghamlogo_resized_70_tcm16-921341.jpg Leicester City Council has appointed Sheila Lock as its new chief executive. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/leicester_appoints_lock.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/leicester_appoints_lock.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 David Blackman 15 August 2008 12:52 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped_lock_cexec2_resized_70_tcm16-1799755.jpg Senior Conservative politicians have cast doubt over their party’s commitment to devolve spending power from Whitehall. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/conservatives_waver_over_finance_reform.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/conservatives_waver_over_finance_reform.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Dan Drillsma-Milgrom 14 August 2008 08:58 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/david%20curry%20NEW_resized_70_tcm16-386445.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/workforce_merger_halted.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Mark Smulian 14 August 2008 08:43 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/adur-worthing_resized_70_tcm16-563303.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/think_tank_scrap_regeneration.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 David Blackman 13 August 2008 09:52 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/new-derelict_resized_70_tcm16-1796693.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=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_urged_to_copy_others.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Robin Latchem 13 August 2008 08:17 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Refuse2_resized_70_tcm16-168429.jpg A senior union leader has reacted to the latest jump in the rate of inflation by saying his members in the public sector were facing "real pay cuts". http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/inflation_rate_climbs_again.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/inflation_rate_climbs_again.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Robin Latchem 12 August 2008 11:31 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-vegetables_resized_70_tcm16-1796208.jpg Taxpayers’ Alliance claims that regional development agencies represent £15bn "thrown away" have been rebutted by officials. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/rdas_are_15bn_thrown_away.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/rdas_are_15bn_thrown_away.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 08 August 2008 08:28 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/money-pounds_resized_70_tcm16-569956.jpg A bitter dispute over council-backed plans for a Dyson academy in Bath has thrown the project into doubt. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/dyson_bath_academy_doubt.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/dyson_bath_academy_doubt.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 08 August 2008 13:31 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/dyson_academy_resized_70_tcm16-1794131.JPG Northamptonshire CC is searching for places for a clutch of elderly people after their care home had its licence withdrawn. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/care_home_licence_revoked.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/care_home_licence_revoked.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 07 August 2008 11:04 Household rubbish and municipal waste sent to landfill has fallen, according to government figures. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/fresh_warning_over_landfill_fines.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/fresh_warning_over_landfill_fines.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 07 August 2008 11:41 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/recyclingtruck_resized_70_tcm16-198150.jpg A trainee accountant at Newcastle-under-Lyme BC caused the council's debt to almost triple due to unlawful transactions, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy has revealed. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/sacked_accountant_caused_tripling_of_debt.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/sacked_accountant_caused_tripling_of_debt.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Dan Drillsma-Milgrom 06 August 2008 10:50 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-coins-graph_resized_70_tcm16-1791563.jpg Unison is urging MPs to lobby the Local Government Association in an effort to end the ongoing pay dispute with local government staff. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/unison_urges_mps_to_intervene_in_strike.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/unison_urges_mps_to_intervene_in_strike.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 06 August 2008 15:22 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/lucille_thirlby_resized_70_tcm16-1792001.jpg Welsh local authorities have paid out more than £13m to settle claims for damages from people tripping on pavements. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/welsh_councils_pay_13m_for_falls.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/welsh_councils_pay_13m_for_falls.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 06 August 2008 12:37 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Roadworks%201_resized_70_tcm16-159789.jpg The deadline is approaching for consultation on plans to move the date of next May's English local elections to coincide with the European Parliamentary elections. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/views_sought_on_shifting_date_of_elections.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/views_sought_on_shifting_date_of_elections.html;jsessionid=40C6F79E3F1F940763C23A5E100FE2C9 Simon Ellery 06 August 2008 09:46 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/ballot%20box_resized_70_tcm16-757390.jpg