Balancing budgets, planning places
The lack of extra funding for local services in December’s provisional local government finance settlement has left councils facing a growing financial crisis.
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‘Unprecedented’ costs and pressures on councils
It is shaping up to be a busy year for local government in 2024.
Keir Starmer – you’re no Margaret Thatcher
I would like to wish everyone across the local government sector, officers and councillors alike, a very prosperous new year.
The downward spiral of council finances
The provisional local government finance settlement for the upcoming financial year, with its £64.1 billion funding package, may seem like a step in the right direction.
Finance settlement ‘is a backwards step’
We have been making efficiency savings in our councils, putting up council taxes and charges, and doing innovative ‘invest to save’ projects.
A carbon reduction code for buildings
Carbon emissions from the construction of public buildings and infrastructure usually sit outside the scope of local authorities’ carbon reduction plans, yet often represent more than half of a council’s total emissions.
Diving into ocean action
In this current climate (pun intended), good environmental news is yet another endangered species.
Pressure remains on public services
The Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement on 22 November, setting out plans to support businesses and get more people into work, and to invest in infrastructure and levelling up.