Planning and infrastructure bill published
Planning fees will be localised and it will be easier for councils to purchase vacant land for house building, under proposals in the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
The Editorial Team
More than 1.4 million homes ‘left unbuilt’
More than 1.4 million homes with planning permission have been left unbuilt by developers since 2007, according to a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research thinktank.
Councils ‘critical to digital inclusion’
Millions of people are set to gain greater digital skills and get online, in a plan to tackle exclusion and boost economic growth.
Early years reform guidance published
The Government has published updated guidance supporting councils to ensure childcare providers make all additional charges clear and upfront to parents.
Improving councillor diversity
Councils have an important role to play in promoting local democracy and participation, and culture change and community outreach can make a difference.
LGA calls for national strategy on health inequalities
The Government is being urged to introduce a national health inequalities strategy to tackle England’s widening health gap, in a new report from the LGA.
Government announces priority devolution deals
Elections to eight English councils, due to take place this May, will be postponed until 2026 to help pave the way for six new devolution deals.