http://www.lgcplus.com/RSS/Policy_and_Politics_RSS.xml en-uk Five candidates are battling to succeed Sir Simon Milton as Local Government Association chairman. LGC gives them a platform to make their pitch. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/five_embark_on_lga_adventure.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/five_embark_on_lga_adventure.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 28 August 2008 08:01 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/simon%20milton_resized_70_tcm16-148271.jpg 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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/review_into_complaints_handling.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/commission_urges_elections_overhaul.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Jo Stephenson 27 August 2008 09:10 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/ballot%20box_resized_70_tcm16-757390.jpg A county council cheif executive has been appointed as a non-executive board member of the Government Equalities Office (GEO). http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/bungard_appointed_to_geo.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/bungard_appointed_to_geo.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 22 August 2008 08:51 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-peter-bungard_resized_70_tcm16-1805866.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/eastern_european_arrivals_fall.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/nlgn_involve_councils_in_census.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 21 August 2008 11:55 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/People%202_resized_70_tcm16-159691.jpg Over half of county council chief executives would support bids to set up unitary authorities, an LGC survey has revealed. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/majority_of_county_chiefs__would_support_unitary_bid.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/majority_of_county_chiefs__would_support_unitary_bid.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Dan Drillsma-Milgrom 21 August 2008 08:01 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-exclusive-council2_resized_70_tcm16-1804051.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/council_workers_strike_in_scotland.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Louise Hunt 20 August 2008 08:33 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Unison%20logo_resized_70_tcm16-111000.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/call_to_rethink_waste_targets.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 20 August 2008 09:37 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/Refuse2_resized_70_tcm16-168429.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/Communities/news/2008/08/ecotowns_shortlist_delayed.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 James Illman 19 August 2008 12:54 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/eco_towns_resized_70_tcm16-1676017.jpeg London mayor Boris Johnson has seen yet another senior departure from his team with first deputy mayor Tim Parker resigning. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/johnson_loses_another_deputy.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/johnson_loses_another_deputy.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 James Illman 19 August 2008 12:02 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/boris_johnson_resized_70_tcm16-1222016.jpg Michael Sanders, a leading figure in local government, planning and European co-operation, has died at the age of 62. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/exdg_of_solace_dies.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/exdg_of_solace_dies.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 18 August 2008 11:31 Generous tributes have been paid following the death from cancer of Lord Bruce-Lockhart, 66, who chaired the LGA until the middle of last year. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/tributes_to_former_lga_leader.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/tributes_to_former_lga_leader.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 15 August 2008 08:21 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-Sandy2_resized_70_tcm16-1799216.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/conservatives_waver_over_finance_reform.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Dan Drillsma-Milgrom 14 August 2008 08:58 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/david%20curry%20NEW_resized_70_tcm16-386445.jpg Points-based self-assessment should replace the current system of social care rationing, a sector leader has demanded. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/social_care_selfassessment_backed.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/InthisweeksLGC/2008/08/social_care_selfassessment_backed.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Jim Dunton 14 August 2008 08:20 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/done_wheelchair_resized_70_tcm16-1790009.jpg Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, former chairman of the Local Government Association, has died. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lord_brucelockhart_is_dead.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lord_brucelockhart_is_dead.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 David Blackman 14 August 2008 12:37 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-Bruce_lockhart_HP_resized_70_tcm16-1798705.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/think_tank_scrap_regeneration.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 David Blackman 13 August 2008 09:52 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/new-derelict_resized_70_tcm16-1796693.jpg Councils will be among the public bodies able to request email records to crack down on crime from next year. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_to_check_on_emails.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_to_check_on_emails.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Jim Dunton 13 August 2008 12:01 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-email_resized_70_tcm16-1797016.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/inflation_rate_climbs_again.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 12 August 2008 11:31 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-vegetables_resized_70_tcm16-1796208.jpg Councils are being urged to take greater advantage of "spying" laws which allow them access to phone bills and records of calls made by members of the public. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_urged_to_spy_more.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/councils_urged_to_spy_more.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 12 August 2008 09:22 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped-mobile-phione_resized_70_tcm16-1795924.jpg The battle to succeed Sir Simon Milton as chairman of the Local Government Association will be fought out between five candidates. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/five_in_fight_to_take_lga_chair.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/five_in_fight_to_take_lga_chair.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Dan Drillsma-Milgrom 11 August 2008 12:20 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/voteform_resized_70_tcm16-217083.jpg Councils have reaffirmed their determination to crack down on the illegal sales of knives to under-18s. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lacors_knives_crackdown_continues.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/lacors_knives_crackdown_continues.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 11 August 2008 14:38 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/croppedknife_resized_70_tcm16-1795389.jpg All three candidates for the Scottish Labour leadership are now reported to be backing an end to council tax and favouring a different form of property tax. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/scottish_labour_cools_on_council_tax.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/scottish_labour_cools_on_council_tax.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Robin Latchem 11 August 2008 11:24 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/scottish%20flag_resized_70_tcm16-108710.jpg Flu is the "gravest threat" to the UK over the next five years, according to the first National Risk Register. http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/flu_pandemic_tops_risk.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/flu_pandemic_tops_risk.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Simon Ellery 08 August 2008 15:50 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/cropped_microbe_resized_70_tcm16-1794293.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=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/News/2008/08/rdas_are_15bn_thrown_away.html;jsessionid=7318A2F2B9687D9BED3F2558E177D7B3 Simon Ellery 08 August 2008 08:28 http://www.lgcplus.com:80/images/money-pounds_resized_70_tcm16-569956.jpg