Laura Sharman 06 December 2021

Top 100: Our most popular local government stories of 2021

The long-running dispute over council pay was by far the most read and talked about issue in 2021. However, our countdown of the most popular stories on LocalGov during the year also shows the level of interest in planning reforms, learning to live with COVID-19, and the levelling up agenda:

1. Unions call for 10% pay rise for council staff

2. Households of school aged children eligible for rapid COVID tests

3. Council pay offer increases to 1.75%

4. Employers branded a 'disgrace' over council pay delay

5. Budget 2021: Sunak unfreezes public sector pay

6. Unions rejects 'insulting' council pay offer

7. Budget 2021: £1bn confirmed for Town Deals

8. A new deal for workers in local government

9. EXCLUSIVE: Employers dig in as they refuse to reopen pay talks

10. More unions announce strike ballots

11. PM urged to intervene over council pay

12. Unison warns of strike action over council pay

13. Devolution White Paper to be replaced by levelling up proposals

14. Unions reject councils’ pay offer

15. COVID-19 self-test kits rolled out across Wales

16. Disruption warning as unions ask for pay talks to resume

17. Budget 2021: More money for youth services and 'family hubs'

18. 'Welcome back' fund launched for high streets and coastal areas

19. Hancock warns 86 council areas have five or more cases of Indian variant

20. Mass testing for asymptomatic COVID-19 rolled out to all local authorities

21. BREAKING: Slough becomes second council to issue Section 114 in a year

22. Union calls for libraries to be ‘completely closed’ during lockdown

23. Safer streets fund doubled after death of Sarah Everard

24. New index reveals most and least prosperous local authorities

25. Virtual council meeting challenge dismissed by High Court

26. More councils will be forced to issue Section 114 notices, MPs warn

27. Councils can issue traffic fines from December

28. COSLA pay offer ‘slap in the face’, union says

29. 13 councils chosen to pilot new ways of working

30. Free voter cards to be issued by councils under new bill

31. Thousands of council workers to strike over pay in Scotland

32. Labour calls for free school meals over holidays

33. Councils urged to tackle corruption in the planning process

34. Controversial planning laws threaten to do ‘more harm than good’

35. Eight councils to undergo independent financial reviews

36. New ‘Right to Regenerate’ proposals aim to turn derelict buildings into homes and community assets

37. Four councils get emergency bail out deal from Government

38. New pay deal ends long-running bin strikes in South London

39. COVID-19: How has the past year affected council staff?

40. Return of free school meals voucher scheme

41. Treasury scraps cap on public sector exit payments

42. Jenrick announces unitary deals

43. Scale of council deficits due to pandemic is revealed

44. Union calls for nurseries to be closed during lockdown

45. High Court rules London's Streetspace scheme was unlawful

46. Queen’s Speech: New law to ‘modernise’ planning system

47. Council tax collection deficit hits £500m

48. Council had 'truly toxic atmosphere,' tribunal hears

49. Sadiq Khan proposes 9.5% council tax increase

50. May elections to go ahead as council chiefs call for indemnity

51. County approves hybrid model of working for staff

52. Right to Buy-back fund launched

53. Research shows drop in council pay over past decade

54. Union starts ballot for strike action

55. Refuse workers strike against ‘ongoing attacks’ on pay and conditions

56. Eight more regions to become Project ADDER Accelerator sites

57. Former employees convicted of fraud against council

58. Controversial statues to require planning permission before removal

59. Lambeth to reimburse £27m of water bills

60. The future of rental in local government

61. Council ‘outraged’ by Unite decision to continue bin strike

62. Union calls for reversal of pay cuts to give economy £3.3bn boost

63. Social care should remain delivered by councils, says new report

64. Council housing chief resigns after anonymous Twitter account was exposed

65. New Year Honours awarded to local government workers

66. 10 councils chosen to pilot digital planning tools

67. Councils reported 700 data breaches last year

68. Councils back postponement of May local elections

69. Coastal towns have ‘worst health outcomes’, Whitty warns

70. Workers and communities deserve better than poverty pay and degraded services

71. Eleven UK cities named as global leaders on climate action

72. Hammersmith Bridge could reopen as ‘double-decker crossing’

73. Lincolnshire districts join forces in new partnership

74. The local government workforce: equal by default

75. High Court grants permission for ‘Levelling Up Fund’ legal challenge

76. Welsh council to end property joint venture

77. Ministry in rebrand to put levelling up centre stage

78. Norwich Council workers to strike over pay dispute

79. Call for ‘urgent clarity’ on elections

80. Councils urged to bid for extended electric vehicle chargepoints funding

81. Criminals publish stolen council data online

82. Report highlights 52 areas most at risk of far right extremism

83. Budget 2021: Chancellor unveils Shared Prosperity Fund

84. Navigating the new National Bus Strategy

85. Local government workers on self-isolation exemption list

86. Working in partnership to get more people with disabilities and complex needs into employment

87. Councils propose ‘super-district’

88. Blackpool Council threatens action over plans to house hundreds of asylum seekers in hotel

89. Budget 2021: Chancellor confirms £4.8bn ‘levelling up fund’

90. Conservative MPs refuse to vote down hike in council tax

91. Council chiefs welcome £4.6bn in lockdown grants to support businesses

92. Five Robotic Process Automation trends to look out for in 2021

93. Consultation on mandatory COVID vaccines launched

94. Meeting new planning requirements for trees

95. Property searches face delays from underfunded councils

96. Budget 2021: National Highways faces £3.4bn funding cut

97. COVID-19: Is local government the 'forgotten partner' of the pandemic?

98. Electoral system ‘barrier to progressive change’, campaigners say

99. Jenrick announces £830m high street investment

100. Homes England invites council officers to join summer training programme

#Infrastructure #Pay #Trade unions #Devolution #Strike action #Council staff #Regeneration #Finance #Coronavirus

LocalGov elections: Being vigilant ahead of the local elections

Ahead of the local elections next month, Owen Prendeville, Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), offers tips for protecting against cyber attacks.

SkillGate’s Classroom Booking System - Training course booking made easy!

Streamline your training course booking operations with SkillGate’s Classroom Booking System.

Most Popular News

Government urged to fund council pay claim

10,000 council staff on long-term sick leave

Gender-critical social worker awarded over £50k

Brum councillors reject ‘bonkers’ skyscraper scheme

MPs sign off indefinite delay to no-fault evictions ban

New Products

Connected Urban: CU Phosco Lighting set to revolutionise Smart City Infrastructure with Innovative Smart Pole launch

New partnership helps local authorities plan active travel and low carbon projects

Glasdon Jubilee™ Duo 220: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Handy to launch partnership with AVA pressure washer specialist at Glee

New front door opening litter bin

New safeguarding software to transform collaboration between councils and schools

Cadcorp SIS 9.1 released

Vent-Axia launches Net Zero Retrofit Solution for social housing

Vent-Axia’s new Lo-Carbon Calido combats mould and recovers heat

Collecting Food Waste with XL Bin

Innovative and versatile people counting

Tough Patch® repairs dangerous pothole on M180

Vent-Axia’s Tempra Tackles Condensation and Mould and Energy Bills this Winter

Transforming the helpdesk experience in local government

Stand-alone cycle and e-scooter counting from Traffic Technology Ltd

Hydro International unveils the next-generation modular Downstream Defender® Select

Leading air quality monitor now with gas sensors

HAVSPRO heralds a unique game changer in effective workforce protection

The Costs of Dealing with Housing Disrepair Claims can Dramatically be Reduced

New Early Pay Product to Help Local Authorities Support Small Businesses

Bradshaw releases third-generation T800

WPS launches new open and adaptive parking solution at Intertraffic 2022

APT SKIDATA launches Charge, an integrated park and EV charging solution

XL Litter Bin to collect more waste

Over Unwanted Sound? Siderise Launches Mullion Overclad System

New and improved Toro mower for greater productivity

Supporting net zero ambitions: New solar PV enhancement from Marley

Nordic Copper Defines a New Generation of Finnish Libraries

Siderise launches masonry passive fire protection package

UltraCrete launches innovative installation aid

Panasonic’s new Smart Multi-site Control Solution provides advanced HVAC control and management

Innovative technology for face-to-face meetings

Leafield’s New 310-litre Envirobank Recycling Bin

Electric performance from the Ariens Zenith E

Case Studies

Historic Seawall Lights Enhanced with Modern Efficiency Delivering Over 50% Energy Savings

Vent-Axia's Heat Save Helps Hillingdon Council with Carbon-friendly Makeover

Beyond Ventilation: Why Air Purifiers Are Essential for Healthier Schools

Vent-Axia's Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution is the perfect fit for Almond HA

StoSilent Direct system brings Oxford College acoustics up to date

UltraCrete improving road safety near Shrewsbury

Sto rainscreen cladding system streamlines construction at Blar Mor

Mid Devon Housing: Improving fire safety in communal areas

Advanced’s EvacGo Evacuation Alert System Helps Keep Residents Safe

South Ayrshire increase recycling rates in parks

Acrospire Helps Vale of Glamorgan Council Reduce Carbon Footprint with Energy-Efficient Heritage Lighting

Dover District Council, LEDs Ltd and CU Phosco Lighting Partner to Create Safer, Greener Streets

London Borough of Redbridge adopts user-centred online housing repairs service

Jersey selects BridgeHead’s HealthStore® to manage medical images

Energy Efficient High Mast Lighting for UK City of Culture

Active Light

Milton Keynes City Council offsets rising energy prices with Telensa smart street lighting

Building vibrant local economies

MICHELIN’s Connected Fleet leads to nearly 50% drop in engine idling

Evacuation alert system from Advanced helps protect residents in Merseyside social housing

UltraCrete prevents dangerous accident in Carmarthen

Decarbonising the UK's housing stock – a practical example

Tough Patch® saves Ringway Jacobs time and money

UltraCrete repairs troublesome chamber on busy London road

City of York tackles congestion and pollution with Alchera Technologies

Panasonic Heats Renovated Chapel in Devon with Unique Air Source Heat Pump & Fan Coil Solution

A DLUHC-funded PropTech win uses 3D images and voice technology to bring local planning into the modern age

Protecting Cumbria’s dark skies – a collaborative effort between Thorn Lighting and Cumbria County Council

Adur & Worthing Councils verify property discounts and exemptions using Aspire

Warwickshire Pub Installs Panasonic nanoe™ X to improve indoor environment

Milton Keynes Council automate completion notice issuing process

Wandsworth Council leads the charge on EV infrastructure

Mortar Buoy® increases speed and saves money

Greater Manchester bus network drives into the digital age

Boosting local retail - three more local authorities sign up to Local Rewards scheme

Norwich City Council Awarded for Innovative Approach to Tackling Rising Debt Concerns

21st Century upgrades passenger information across the East Midlands

APT SKIDATA Wins Contract to Upgrade Seafront Car Park in North Ayrshire

Places for People rolls out new technology in the management of damp in homes

Document automation saves TfL payroll team 160 days' admin time per year

Leading by example: The City of London Corporation specifies FORS in supply chain contracts

Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon PoziDry Compact Pro Combats Mould in Housing Association Property

Innovative Highways Alliance brings benefits to roads & residents

Thorn Lighting Isaro Pro luminaires provide the perfect solution for the Safer Streets Fund Initiative

Essex County Council completes first stage of digital transformation journey

St Helens MBC: Dream team looks to a bright future

New Harold Wood Station plaza opens

Essex County Council selects Telensa for the next stage of its smart streetlight project

New open data portal presents a bigger picture of Stockport residents

Wales delivers a first for technology-enabled care through Covid response

New Otterbine restores fountain to former glory at Newquay Boating Lake

How £1.3bn Metro tuned into digital radio comms

Hunter Douglas Architectural supplies 17,000m2 of new ceiling for Rotterdam Ahoy

SWARCO Traffic installs new speed warning signs for Angus Council

Thorn ensures the perfect setting at Queens Quay and Titan Crane Basin

Traffic Management Contract secured in Thurrock

SWARCO and APT Skidata provide the technology solution for Wembley car parks

Company Anouncements

UltraCrete wins Employment and Skills Award at RSTA Annual Conference

UltraCrete partners with Salford City College

Acrospire Unveils 'Solar HonestyTM' Initiative

East Herts DC selects Cadcorp for advancing digital planning services

Vent-Axia Sentinel Apex Scoops CIBSE Air Quality Award

Cardo Group provides insight into how valuable Frameworx is as a procurement solution

360 Vision Technology’s Invictus TX wireless camera selected for Heritage site

Bringing Energy Efficiency to Suffolk's Historic Streets

CU Phosco Lighting achieves outstanding 2.9 TM66 score

Acrospire donate solar-powered luminaires to Bishops Castle Council

Matrix launches refreshed Milestone offering to Pave the Way for Public Procurement Reform in the UK

CU Phosco Lighting announce cost-savings on new and improved traditional lighting range

Airtech Supports Radon Awareness Week

Vent-Axia Welcomes Updated PAS 2035

Triple Award Shortlisting Shows Vent-Axia’s Commitment to a Lo-Carbon Future

Four local authorities appoint Propeller Powered for compliance management overhaul

CU Phosco Lighting Offer Dream Trip to Australia in 100th Anniversary Celebration

Vent-Axia supports Clean Air Day

Revolutionising ground source heat pump deployment at scale

BridgeHead’s HealthStore® Wins 2023 MedTech Breakthrough Award

Ascendant Solutions gets royal seal of approval

Vent-Axia’s Heat Recovery Retrofit Solution shortlisted at the Unlock Net Zero Awards

Seven senior public sector figures given seats at framework provider’s top table

Aico host webinar on A Spotlight on Damp and Mould with The Housing Ombudsman

Going Green with Ground Source Heat Pumps

Vent-Axia celebrates global recycling day and improves indoor air sustainably

Metric appoints new head to drive launch of unique software solutions

Matrix appoints Roger Clements as first CMO to lead transformational growth

The SWARCO team wins big at the 2023 E-Mobility Awards

Liberty Charge invests in senior management team

Be Part of a Net-Zero Future – BEIS-funded training available through the Retrofit Academy

Voicescape appointed by Hartlepool Borough Council after raft of revenue and benefits wins

Airtech Offers Social Housing Landlords Expert Advice and Help to Tackle Mould

Automation of Property Assessments to drive more RV for UK Councils

Domus Ventilation’s Solis Air Brick wins London Construction Awards

Airtech Gives 5 Important Radon Facts to Support Radon Awareness Week

Saltare Secures Listing for Early Pay on Crown Commercial Service’s G-Cloud 13 Procurement Framework

How Middlesbrough Council increased engagement rates by 59% of residents in Council Tax arrears

Airtech Offers Condensation and Mould Advice to Landlords as Energy Crisis Looms

New cost of living crisis research calls for change to public sector financial support

Hugh James appointed to new Public Sector Legal Services framework

VWV Wins Place on Crown Commercial Service's Public Sector Legal Services Framework

Virtru data protection solutions approved for G-Cloud 13 Framework

The future of EV charging in Wales: Making experience count

Truvelo positions for market growth with new sales appointment

DESKO scanners dominate market with regard to image resolution

Faster, Safer, Building Evacuations with Advanced Dynamic Safety Signage

‘Debt-tech’ experts Trustfolio to offer Local Authority creditor teams free trial of first-of-its-kind debt management platform

Crowdguard expands into semi-permanent terror protection with Unafor partnership

Ricardo develops new dataset to help tackle the climate emergency

New top team for public sector framework provider

Panasonic and Schneider Electric partner to expediate the future of heating

TrustID certified as an Identity Service Providers (IDSP) for digital identity checks

Flexible salary sacrifice will help local authorities reach net zero

ESPO and AO team up to provide compliant route to top tech range

Fellowes champions IAQ in education with the clean air for classrooms initiative

Customers to benefit as Amberol and Leafield Environmental join forces

Zutec Digital Cladding Remediation Solution Now Available for Housebuilders, Developers and Owners

UltraCrete and Telent join forces to tackle failed ironwork

Vent-Axia Shares Tips to Love your Lungs and Stay Healthy this Clean Air Day

SWARCO companies from across the UK & Ireland come together at Traffex 2022

APT SKIDATA to demonstrate digital transformation in parking at Parkex 2022

Local Resilience adds Debfibrillator Management Process to pre-built Procedures

Panasonic Exhibiting at Housing 2022

Cadcorp launches new hosted Data Service

Bringing logical cloud-based collaboration to the Public Sector

Triple Point announces new £8m revolving credit facility for MLL Telecom

Social Housing Building Regulations Webinar to Set Out Changes to Ventilation in Existing Homes

Tavistock Relationships offers local authorities Reducing Parental Conflict Training

PayByPhone announces new global and UK leadership structure as the business continues to grow

Alliance Leisure Retains Position As Lead Development Partner On Third Generation UK Leisure Framework

Vemotion showcase latest live video streaming products at Security & Policing

York-based fulfilment business works with Sainsbury’s to bring new grocery voucher to market

Bring your course to life at night with Otterbine's lighting systems

New brand gives boost to long-established bridge parapet manufacturer

Designed to Meet the Demand for Safe and Sustainable Interim Housing

Tempest Resourcing Wins Place on Local Government Resourcing Partnership Framework

Local Authorities Now have Access to Premium Parking Solutions on a Subscription Basis

ENVIROVENT’s ventilation solution CHOSEN for ‘homes OF the future’ PILOT

SWARCO Smart Charging Named as GreenFleet’s Charging & Re-fuelling Infrastructure Provider of the Year

UltraCrete launch industry-leading accreditation scheme

Irwin Mitchell boosts planning and environment department with two new appointments

Electric Vehicle Goupil Range Helping Local Authorities Support Their Green Agenda

Vent-Axia Welcomes Housing Ombudsman’s Report on Damp and Mould

Red Stag driving towards carbon-neutral pothole repairs across UK

Sir Robert McAlpine – building a quality supply chain with FORS

Fimatix appoints head of User-Centred Design in expansion of its practice

Caution Your Blast Announces Rich Cassidy as New Head of People and Delivery

Airtech Urges Everyone to Take Action this Radon Awareness Week

Treat the family more for less this Christmas with £245* worth of savings for public servants from Boundless

Liberty Charge seeks to address on-street charging deficit with fully-funded solution

Telensa first to demonstrate that the open standard protocol, TALQ2, enables interoperability at scale

SWARCO Smart Charging enhances its public sector offering with senior appointment

Airtech Helps Landlords Meet Their Duty of Care and Tackle Condensation and Mould

Call for entries: Panasonic celebrates excellence in HVAC+R projects with 4th European PRO Awards 2021

Four more local authorities sign up to Local Rewards scheme to boost local retail

Toro fleet expansion for CGM Group

Power Roll’s rooftop solar offers councils a viable alternative to greenfield sites

Vemotion Viewer App now with automated Real-time Incident Alert & Review

Airtech Supports Landlords to Help Protect their Residents from Radon this Summer

Celebrating a decade of gold standards and stronger supply chains

Premier Modular wins place on £330m public sector building framework

New leasing company helps councils tackle the climate crisis

PayByPhone continues rapid growth across UK

Open Booking API for the sport & leisure sector to undergo further testing

Panasonic Aquarea units receive Passive House Component Certification

Care home building firm choose FORS to ensure quality supply chain

Accelar helps to pinpoint opportunities to drive down carbon in construction

Blackhawk Network becomes a supplier for The Crown Commercial Service on the Voucher Scheme Framework

Senior Estate Services Officer

£38,133 - £46,206 + shift and weekend allowances

Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Child and Young Person Support Worker - CAYPS

£24395 - £31131 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension

Child and Young Person Support Worker - Child and Young Person Support Service (CAYPS)Permanent, Full Time£24,395 to £31,131 per annumLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Technical Assistant - Place Services

Up to £23344 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension

Technical Assistant - Place ServicesPermanent, Full Time£23,344 per annumLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Deputyship Case Officer

£26076 - £30678 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Defined Benefit Pension

Deputyship Case OfficerPermanent, Full TimeUp to £30,678 per annumLocation

Recuriter: Essex County Council

Team Manager (Hospital Integrated Discharge Team)

£51093 - £54129 per annum

Strength in people. Strength in communities. Strength in diversity.Do you want to work in a forward-thinking organisation, passionate about Adult Serv England

Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.

Need To Know

What is voter ID?

What is a metro mayor?