Ensuring oversight of bailiffs
As a former local government chief executive, I know that fair and effective revenue recovery is an essential part of addressing gaps in local authority finances and delivering properly funded services.
A positive finance settlement
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all first readers a belated happy new year, and I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful festive break.
The right powers to the right places
Everyone in local government knows people are hungry for more power over their own lives and more control over the places they live.
Long-term funding kicked into the grass
Days before Christmas, the Government published its provisional local government finance settlement, setting out the details about local government spending in the coming financial year.
Lack of sustainable funding continues
While the local government finance settlement might pull some of our councils back from the brink, we shouldn’t kid ourselves that it puts us on a sustainable footing to meet the needs of our communities or our environment.
Autumn Statement: ‘better than feared’
More money for social care and schools, a 7 per cent cap on social housing rent rises, and new devolution deals in Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and the North East were among the announcements in last month’s Autumn Statement.
End crisis of unaccompanied children in hotels, urges LGA
The LGA has called on the Government to end the crisis of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children being placed in hotels.
Housing standards letter sent to councils
All local authorities have been asked to review housing conditions in their area, following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak as a result of mould in his family home.
Celebrating towns and driving growth across the UK
The Visa mission and ambition for supporting local economies to prosper comes together in our Let’s Celebrate Towns competition, celebrating the hundreds of towns helping local businesses and communities to thrive. Enter now for your town’s chance to win £20,000 and business support.