VE Day: Council duties under the Armed Forces Covenant
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Geoff Wild, Legal & Governance Consultant, looks at the duties of councils under the Armed Forces Covenant.
Essex CC rejects combined authority plan ‘in its current form’
10/04/2025 Essex County Council has told the Government that it cannot support the proposal for devolution in Greater Essex ‘in its current form’. |
Consultation launched on Oxford Street pedestrianisation
03/03/2025 Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a public consultation on what is billed as the ‘biggest transformation of Oxford Street in history’. |
South Cambs to consult on four-day week ‘at long last’
20/01/2025 South Cambridgeshire District Council will launch a consultation this month to ask residents about their experiences of its four-day week trial. |
Consultation on Right to Buy overhaul launched
21/11/2024 A consultation on the Government’s overhaul of the Right to Buy scheme has been launched. |
Time to axe ‘contradictory’ care laws, minister says
07/10/2024 It is ‘high time’ to axe outdated language and contradictory rules from laws on disabled children’s social care, the families minster has said. |
Council tax reform could hit thousands of households
03/10/2024 An estimated 13,500 households could be worse off under Leicester City Council’s plans to reform council tax support. |
Council faces court challenge over low-traffic neighbourhood
30/09/2024 Campaigners are taking Lambeth Council to court over a new low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme in West Dulwich. |
Council drops all-Gaelic school plan
26/09/2024 Argyll and Bute councillors have decided to drop plans for a Gaelic language and culture school following a close-run public consultation. |
Tewkesbury BC councillors vote in favour of name change
04/09/2024 Tewkesbury Borough Council has voted to change its name to North Gloucestershire Borough Council following consultation with residents. |
Tewkesbury consultation extended
09/07/2024 Tewkesbury BC has extended a consultation on its planned name change to North Gloucestershire BC, giving residents until the end of July to respond. |
Norfolk opposes 184km pylon scheme
14/06/2024 Councillors in Norfolk have objected to a National Grid proposal to construct an electricity transmission line across three counties. |
Stronger Things: 'Go deeper to deal with the age of division'
04/06/2024 Using community power to tackle polarisation requires ‘going deeper and deeper until some of the falsehoods clear out’, New Local’s Stronger Things has heard. |
North Yorkshire consults on new town councils
14/05/2024 Residents of Harrogate and Scarborough are being consulted on plans to create town councils for both areas. |
Council eyes cutting back rubbish collection
02/04/2024 A council could reduce how often it picks up household rubbish that cannot be recycled or composted to once a month despite Government proposals. |
Lincolnshire devolution deal approved
15/03/2024 Lincolnshire CC members have approved a devolution deal for the area which will see the establishment of the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County. |
Basic efficiency savings all ‘long gone’, Chancellor told
05/03/2024 No more 'basic efficiencies' left to make, leaders tell Chancellor in response to reports he will call for consultants and diversity schemes to be cut. |
Government timetable could push councils to issue section 114s
16/02/2024 Government’s timeline for implementing changes to tackle risky borrowing by some councils could end up pushing councils into S114 territory, treasurers warn. |
Council apologises after Weetabix factory confusion
07/02/2024 North Northamptonshire Council apologises after confusion over the location of a Weetabix factory led to the planning department consulting the wrong street. |
Officer warning over street votes
06/02/2024 Council officers have issued a scathing response to plans for street-level planning votes – dismissing the idea as a costly ‘proliferation of polls’. |
Council consults on name change
29/01/2024 Tewkesbury Borough Council is considering changing its name after communities said the current title is not representative of the wider area. |
Nottingham proposes cutting 550 jobs
13/12/2023 Nottingham City Council has proposed cutting 554 full-time equivalent posts in an attempt to tackle its financial shortfall. |
Lincolnshire consults on devolution plan
05/12/2023 Residents across Greater Lincolnshire are being consulted on a devolution proposal for the region. |
28 Durham councillors lost in proposed boundary change
04/12/2023 Changes proposed by the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC) would see the loss of 28 councillors in County Durham. |
PM promises to limit council tree felling
29/11/2023 Residents will have to be consulted before local authorities remove trees in their areas, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced. |
LGA seeks views on improvement framework
28/11/2023 The LGA has called on those working in or with local government to provide feedback on how the improvement and assurance framework can be improved. |
Wales consults on council tax reform
14/11/2023 The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on redesigning the country's council tax system. |
Council bosses raise concerns over refugee cap
23/10/2023 The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised concerns about plans to introduce a national cap on refugees that is informed by consultation with local authorities. |
Kensington & Chelsea launches standards drawn up with residents
28/09/2023 Kensington and Chelsea LBC has become the first council to publish service standards co-designed with residents as part of its continuing response to the Grenfell tragedy. |
London Councils signals hike in parking and traffic penalties
01/08/2023 Cross-party group London Councils is consulting on penalty charges for parking and traffic offences, and says current charges are not high enough. |
Newcastle to consult on bringing housing in-house
25/07/2023 Newcastle City Council will consult on bringing its housing services back in-house. |
Yorkshire councillors consider plans to create new town councils
29/06/2023 North Yorkshire Council members are set to consider plans to introduce town councils in Harrogate and Scarborough after householders show support. |
Councils call for more radical thinking on short-term lets
20/06/2023 Whitehall proposals to regulate short-term holiday lets fail to deliver what is needed to tackle housing shortages and ministers should think ‘more radically,’ councils have said. |
Mayor launches bus franchising consultation
15/05/2023 Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched a consultation on bus reform in the Liverpool City Region. |
Holyrood consults on 20-minute neighbourhoods
28/04/2023 People in Scotland are being asked for their views on how to improve the planning system. |
Air quality consultation launched
12/04/2023 The Government has launched a consultation on how councils in England can improve air quality. |
Campaigners resist plans to cut down trees for ‘eco homes’
11/04/2023 Residents of historic Bournville village in Birmingham have called on their local councillor to intervene over a plan to cut down trees and build ‘eco homes’. |
Cornwall devolution consultation delivers mixed results
31/03/2023 A consultation on whether Cornwall should have an elected mayor and a devolution deal has produced mixed results. |
How neurodiversity relates to planning and development
14/03/2023 James Sackley of Boyer argues that it is important to consider neurodiversity during the planning process. |
District chiefs welcome proposed planning fee boost
01/03/2023 District council leaders have welcomed a proposal that could see an increase in planning fees to help over-stretched local planning departments. |
BCP Council proposes barbeque ban
25/01/2023 BCP Council has launched a consultation on proposals to prohibit barbeques in public spaces and other ‘negative behaviours’. |
Districts' legal threat over devolution deal
17/01/2023 Four Norfolk districts have threatened to take legal action over the county’s handling of a devolution deal struck with Government. |
Unison members back pay offer
28/09/2022 Members of trade union Unison have voted by 63.5% to 36.5% to accept the national employers’ final pay offer for local government services employees. |
Council consults on powers to limit HMOs
28/09/2022 Coventry City Council has launched a consultation on plans to limit the number of residential houses being rented out to multiple occupants. |
Plan for asylum centre on ex-RAF base scrapped
10/08/2022 Hambleton District Council has cautiously welcomed the Government’s decision to scrap a planned asylum reception centre. |
Council tax revaluation announced for Wales
11/07/2022 The Welsh Government has announced it will revalue all 1.5 million properties in the country under bold plans to modernise the council tax system. |
Liverpool residents vote to keep elected mayor position
04/07/2022 Liverpool residents have voted to retain the position of directly elected city mayor. |
Unions demand 'substantial' pay increase
06/06/2022 Councils will be consulted this month after local government trade unions demanded a ‘substantial’ pay increase amid rising costs of food, fuel and household bills. |
Bristol City Council launches consultation on plans to build 1,500 houses
26/05/2022 Bristol residents are being asked to give their views on a development that promises to deliver 1,500 homes and employment space for over 500 jobs. |
Council launches consultation on £250m town centre plan
25/05/2022 Kirklees Council has launched a public consultation on the ‘cultural heart’ of its £250m, 10-year blueprint to transform Huddersfield town centre. |
Mayor Khan launches consultation on ULEZ expansion
23/05/2022 A consultation on plans to expand the ULEZ to cover most of London has been launched as part of the effort to improve air quality and reduce congestion. |
Nine ways to create a good design code
23/05/2022 Jane Dann outlines the nine steps that local authorities can take to get a good code in place. |
Residents will have to approve street names changes under new proposals
12/04/2022 Councils will be required to get approval from local residents to change street names under new proposals announced today. |
Consultation on replacing Vagrancy Act is launched
08/04/2022 The Government has launched a consultation on replacing an 'outdated' law that criminalises homeless people. |
Air quality consultations launched
29/03/2022 The Government has launched two consultations on proposals to make it easier for local authorities to tackle poor air quality in their areas. |
Consultation on end date for sale of new non-zero emission buses launched
29/03/2022 The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on setting an end date for the sale of new non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses. |
Liverpool residents to be consulted on city’s governance
11/03/2022 Liverpool residents are to be consulted on how they think the city should be governed from 2023. |
Social housing staff training review confirmed
18/01/2022 The Government today confirmed a review of the training of social housing staff after receiving thousands of complaints in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy. |
Developments expected to deliver 10% boost to biodiversity
11/01/2022 The Government has launched a consultation that aims to ensure wildlife can be better protected and enhanced in future developments. |
City council considers bringing in parking levy
21/12/2021 Leicester City Council has launched a consultation over a scheme that could see companies charged for car parking spaces. |
Council to in-source housing services
09/12/2021 Haringey Council has announced it is in-sourcing housing services after a consultation saw residents back the change. |
Unison warns of strike action over council pay
04/10/2021 Trade union Unison has warned of future strike action unless local government employers improve their pay offer. |
Consultation on mandatory COVID vaccines launched
09/09/2021 The Government has launched a consultation on plans for staff in health and care settings in England to be required to have COVID-19 and flu vaccines. |
Welsh Government looks at holiday home reforms
26/08/2021 Holiday home owners in Wales could be charged the full amount of business rates amid claims people are being priced out of their local area. |
Teachers tell Williamson to end ‘fixation’ with banning mobiles
17/08/2021 School and college leaders have called on the education secretary to end what they describe as his ‘fixation’ with banning mobile phones in classrooms. |
Consultation on plans to support natural areas launched
11/08/2021 The Government yesterday launched a consultation on plans to help local communities better support their natural areas. |
Consultation on Greater Manchester development plan launched
10/08/2021 Residents of Greater Manchester were yesterday urged to take part in an eight-week public consultation on a new joint development plan for homes and jobs. |
Treasury launches consultation for business rates revaluations every three years
30/06/2021 Business rates revaluations could take place more frequently to better reflect changing economic conditions under proposals unveiled by the Government. |
Vaccine may be made compulsory for care home staff
14/04/2021 Staff in English care homes with older adults may be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine in a bid to tackle hesitancy within the sector. |
Councils to be given five years to spend Right to Buy receipts
22/03/2021 Councils will be given five years to spend receipts from Right to Buy sales as part of an overhaul of the key housing policy, local government secretary Robert Jenrick has announced. |
Consultation starts on restructuring local government in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset
23/02/2021 A consultation on creating unitary authorities in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset has been announced today by the Government. |
Manchester CC launches consultation on 270 home regeneration proposal
18/09/2020 Manchester City Council has launched a consultation on a regeneration plan that will see 270 new homes built in Collyhurst. |
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During lockdown consultation needs renewed effort
05/06/2020 Damien Sharkey explores how councils can consult fairly with residents during the lockdown. |
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Gateshead to look at bring housing back in-house
30/03/2020 Gateshead MBC is to formally consult on proposals to bring its housing services back in-house. |
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Greater Manchester first to consult on bus franchising
09/10/2019 Greater Manchester is set to become the first city-region in the UK to hold a public consultation on the introduction of a bus franchising scheme. |
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Whitehall consults on plans to simplify planning rules for 5G roll-out
27/08/2019 The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to simplify planning rules for mobile infrastructure to support the roll-out of 5G across the country. |
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Council drops plans to close ‘third of libraries’ after outcry
10/07/2019 Essex County Council has done a U-turn on its plan to close nearly a third of its libraries after a consultation received thousands of responses opposing it. |
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Council told to consult residents over free parking
23/05/2019 Stockport Council has been told to consult residents over their right to free parking permits after the ombudsman found it had been unfairly refusing them. |
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Delay to Northamptonshire reorganisation welcomed
14/05/2019 Council leaders have welcomed the year-long delay to plans to create two new unitaries in Northamptonshire. |
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Hopes for legislative backing behind new code
24/04/2019 An overhaul of financial management in councils could be enshrined in law, according to a consultation that stakeholders must respond to within days to influence. |
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Whitehall publishes consultation on home school register
02/04/2019 Local authority leaders have welcomed proposals from the Government to launch a new register of all children not attending mainstream schools. |
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NAO floats auditing overhaul
13/03/2019 The way auditors examine council accounts could be overhauled, the National Audit Office (NAO) has suggested. |
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Council chiefs welcome pothole consultation
06/03/2019 Local government leaders have welcomed a Government consultation on utility firms’ roadworks guarantee, but warned it does not address the repairs backlog. |
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Council chiefs insist waste reforms must be ‘fully funded’
18/02/2019 Local authority leaders have welcomed plans to ‘overhaul’ the waste system, but cautioned Whitehall that any reforms need to be fully funded. |
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Council faces legal action over £20m cuts to SEND budget
03/10/2018 Surrey County Council is facing a legal battle over plans to cut its special educational needs and disabilities budget by more than £20m. |
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Gloucester CC consults on £50m regeneration scheme
28/09/2018 Gloucester City Council has launched a consultation on a £50m regeneration scheme designed to provide support to the city’s creative industries. |
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Whitehall to consult on allowing ‘fracking’ without planning permission
20/07/2018 The Government yesterday launched a consultation on plans to allow drilling for shale gas to go ahead without planning permission. |
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Grayson Perry backs borough’s £3.5m ‘artists’ house’ plans
26/04/2018 The Turner prize winner Grayson Perry has thrown his weight behind council plans to build affordable housing for artists in Barking town centre. |
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Put traveller site provision first, charities tell Whitehall
16/04/2018 Charities have written to the Government urging it to address the ‘root cause’ of unauthorised traveller sites rather than adopting more punitive measures. |
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Government to review council powers over illegal traveller sites
05/04/2018 The Government is to review how local authorities can deal with unauthorised caravan sites and developments more effectively. |
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Public backs 'safe, accessible' Oxford Street pedestrianisation
14/03/2018 Plans to pedestrianise part of Oxford Street have been backed by a majority of the 22,000 people who responded to the latest consultation but the authorities have pledged to look at issues of safety and accessibility raised by the public. |
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Principles agreed for deciding future of Grenfell Tower site
01/03/2018 A set of principles to guide the forthcoming consultations on the future of the Grenfell Tower site have been agreed between the council, the community and the Government. |
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Consultation launched into future of adult social care workforce
22/02/2018 A consultation into addressing the challenges facing the adult social care workforce has been launched. |
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Isle of Wight launches consultation on school term-times
10/11/2017 The Isle of Wight has launched a consultation on whether its policy on school holidays could include cutting the summer break and making half terms longer. |
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Council considers going for Royal City status
17/08/2017 Gloucester City Council has launched a public consultation over whether it should bid for Royal City status. |
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Westminster consultation on tall buildings ‘not about skyscrapers’, council insists
28/03/2017 Westminster CC in London has launched a consultation on whether to consturct more tall buildings to cope with a growing need for housing and office space. |
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Consultation on proposed changes to Scottish constituencies launched
21/10/2016 The Boundary Commission for Scotland has today published its initial proposals for a new map of UK parliamentary constituencies in Scotland, marking the beginning of a three-month public consultation. |
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Bristol launches consultation amid ‘mountainous budget challenge’
14/10/2016 Bristol City Council has launched a consultation on its five-year plan for the city in the context of a ‘mountainous budget challenge.’ |
