Councillors | LocalGov


Councillor resigns after indecent exposure guilty plea 17/03/2025 Leader calls for councils to be empowered to remove politicians who commit crimes after resignation of a councillor who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure.
McMahon hints over councillor suspension power 12/03/2025 Local government minister Jim McMahon has hinted he will push ahead with handing councils the power to suspend councillors before they have been convicted.
Disgraced councillor told to resign 12/03/2025 Disgraced Redbridge councillor Sam Gould has been urged to resign after pleading guilty to indecently exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl.
CCN: Planning legislation would ‘dilute’ local oversight 11/03/2025 Legislation aimed at speeding up planning decisions would ‘dilute’ the role of councillors on planning committees, warns the County Council Network (CCN).
New rules at district after ‘inappropriate behaviour’ 26/02/2025 Teignbridge District Council has agreed to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to swearing and abusive behaviour after auditors criticised the behaviour of some members.
Council leader stands down to focus on LGA role 25/02/2025 Cllr Joe Harris, the leader of Cotswold District Council, has announced he is stepping down to focus on his Local Government Association (LGA) role.
Councillor quits after tax arrears revealed 24/02/2025 A Lancashire councillor has resigned after it was revealed he owed almost £4,000 in council tax.
Councillor barred from budget vote over unpaid tax 20/02/2025 A borough councillor in Lancashire owes almost £4,000 in council tax, making him unable to vote on the authority’s budget.
First leader of North Northants to step down 20/02/2025 The first leader of North Northamptonshire Council has announced he is stepping down at the local elections in May to ‘transition into semi-retirement’.
Staffordshire mayor dies after car crash 17/02/2025 The mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme has died following a road accident last Thursday.
Investigation after ‘wrestling match’ at council meeting 14/02/2025 A hearing will be held at Darlington Borough Council next week after a heated row between two councillors descended into a ‘wrestling match’.
Poor behaviour getting worse, survey finds 12/02/2025 Poor behaviour among councillors and officers is getting worse, according to a survey by senior officers' organisation Solace.
Labour suspends 11 councillors over WhatsApp chat 12/02/2025 The Labour Party has suspended 11 councillors who had joined a WhatsApp chat at the centre of a scandal over offensive messages.
Three Tameside councillors ‘step away’ over WhatsApp scandal 11/02/2025 Three councillors will ‘step away’ from their roles at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council after they were caught up in a scandal over a leaked WhatsApp chat.
Peer warning over councillor financial understanding 04/02/2025 Not all 39 councillors at a Nottinghamshire council are fully getting to grips with the financial challenges for the local authority, peer review has warned.
Councillor jailed after ‘campaign of intimidating behaviour’ 31/01/2025 A Torridge District Council member will face prison after he was found guilty of harassment.
Pembrokeshire could lose 68 councillors 30/01/2025 The number of town and community councillors in Pembrokeshire could be cut by 10% following a review by Wales’ Democracy and Boundary Commission.
Tory group leader quits party after police called to town hall 03/01/2025 The Conservative group leader of Oldham Council has resigned from the party after police were called amid a row at a town hall meeting.
20 councillors in Nottinghamshire quit Labour 03/01/2025 Some 20 members of Broxtowe Borough Council, including the leader, have left the Labour Party in protest against Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Deal reached after mayor launched legal case against own council 20/12/2024 Newham LBC has struck a £36,000 deal with its directly-elected executive mayor Rokhsana Fiaz after reaching an out-of-court settlement over race and sex discrimination claims.
Police called amid row at town hall 19/12/2024 Police officers were called to Oldham Council on Wednesday after a meeting was suspended when a row broke out.
Councils could get new powers to suspend members 19/12/2024 Councils could get new powers to suspend councillors found to have breached their code of conduct under new government proposals.
Call to break up Scotland’s largest council 12/12/2024 Highland Council members have called for the local authority, Scotland’s largest by geographical area, to be broken up.
Leader resigns after ‘inappropriate behaviour’ reported to police 09/12/2024 The City of Edinburgh Council’s leader has resigned after Police Scotland revealed it was investigating a report of ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
Newcastle leader faces no confidence vote 03/12/2024 The leader of Newcastle City Council is facing a vote of no confidence after just two months running the authority.
Notts leader steps down after ‘challenging’ year 07/11/2024 The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council has announced he is stepping down from the role after a ‘challenging’ year.
Rayner: Bullying councillors could face suspension 24/10/2024 Councils could soon be able to suspend members who violate codes of conduct and will no longer be required to publish councillor addresses, Rayner says.
Disgraced peer Hanningfield dies 22/10/2024 Former leader of Essex CC and peer Lord Hanningfield has died.
One in five councillors threatened with violence 21/10/2024 More than a fifth of councillors in a new Local Government Association (LGA) survey said they had received a threat of violence in their role.
Labour intervenes at Tameside 15/10/2024 The leader of Tameside MBC has resigned after Labour took steps to directly intervene over ‘unacceptable working practices' at the authority.
Islington Council leader steps down 11/10/2024 The leader of Islington Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, has announced that she will be stepping down.
Councillors accused of ‘not seriously considering’ recommendations 03/10/2024 Auditors have accused Dudley Council members of ‘not seriously considering’ the recommendations of officers when it came to the council’s financial position.
Newcastle set for first female leader 02/10/2024 Newcastle City Council is set to appoint its first female leader, while calls have come for an inquiry into issues with the authority's political leadership.
More than £2m needed to sort Welsh recycling scheme 30/09/2024 Senior Denbighshire CC members will be asked to plough more than £2m into a recycling scheme that has led to ‘unacceptable' numbers of missed collections.
East Suffolk pledges to tackle abuse 27/09/2024 East Suffolk Council has committed to challenging the abuse or intimidation of its members and officers.
Council backs proposals to increase number of members 23/09/2024 Proposals to increase the number of Cumberland Council councillors by around 20% have been backed.
Peers find 'blurred' responsibilities between officers and members 17/09/2024 Ashfield DC must resolve issues with the ‘blurred' responsibilities of members and officers, a report from the Local Government Association has said.
Council group leader dies at Lib Dem conference 17/09/2024 The leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Milton Keynes City Council died at the party’s annual conference on Saturday evening.
Newcastle leader steps back due to ill health 16/09/2024 The leader of Newcastle City Council has taken a temporary leave of absence due to ill health.
Cash-strapped council axes top member roles 22/08/2024 Somerset Council, which has declared a ‘financial emergency’, is cutting several senior member roles to save £36,000.
LGA: Minister’s stance on hybrid meetings ‘encouraging’ 19/08/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has said it was ‘encouraging’ that the new Government signalled an openness to discussing hybrid council meetings.
Residents vote to dissolve town council 14/08/2024 Voters in two north Yorkshire villages have come out overwhelmingly in favour of dissolving the local town council following allegations of bullying.
Councillor charged with encouraging violent disorder 09/08/2024 A Dartford councillor has been charged with encouraging violent disorder after he was filmed addressing a crowd at a London demonstration on Wednesday.
Councillor arrested over protest remarks 09/08/2024 A councillor has been arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder after comments at a counter-protest in London this week.
Barking and Dagenham leader to step down 16/07/2024 The leader of Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council has announced he is standing down from the role after 10 years.
Council introduces DBS checks for members 11/07/2024 West Northamptonshire Council will require all members to receive Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
New MP to resign as council leader 10/07/2024 Newly elected MP Vikki Slade will stand down as leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
Call for chief to resign over postal vote error 02/07/2024 The chief executive of Uttlesford DC is facing a call to resign following delays to the delivery of postal votes.
Plaque unveiled for country’s longest serving councillor 28/06/2024 A memorial plaque has been installed in Peterborough in honour of a man who served on the city council for 62 years.
Councils and NHS row over Better Care Fund use 18/06/2024 Some Integrated Care Boards are seeking to challenge the parts of the Better Care Fund earmarked for social care funding, LGA councillors have been told.
Birmingham councillor becomes West Midlands deputy mayor 17/06/2024 The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council has been appointed as the deputy mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Council hires security after meeting disruption 11/06/2024 A town council in Norfolk has brought in a security firm to maintain order at its meetings.
Barking council leader dropped as election candidate 05/06/2024 Barking and Dagenham Council leader Darren Rodwell has been removed from the list of candidates being considered by the Labour Party for the general election.
Councillors quit Labour over Shaheen, Abbot and Gaza 04/06/2024 Seven councillors in Slough have resigned from Labour citing as the reason the treatment of Faiza Shaheen and Diane Abbot and the party’s position on Gaza.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA starts to shift on standards 04/06/2024 Senior Local Government Association (LGA) figures expect the organisation’s reluctance to beefing up the standards regime to shift after the General Election.
Council staff 'live in fear of abuse, assault or worse' 03/06/2024 Council staff and members often live ‘in fear of abuse, assault or worse,’ experts have warned.
Hoare: We still want productivity plans 30/05/2024 Local government minister Simon Hoare has insisted he still wants councils to draw up unpopular productivity plans despite the election, The MJ understands.
Labour suspends councillor who backed Corbyn 28/05/2024 The Labour Party has suspended an Islington councillor who declared his support for Jeremy Corbyn in the upcoming General Election.
High Court dismisses Bibby Stockholm legal challenge 23/05/2024 The High Court has dismissed a legal case challenging the Government’s controversial use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers off the coast.
Bristol councillor ‘absolutely gutted’ after disqualification 22/05/2024 A Labour councillor in Bristol has been disqualified less than three weeks after being elected because she teaches at a council-run school.
Housing crisis has become ‘significantly worse’ in past year 21/05/2024 Three-quarters of councillors believe the housing crisis has become significantly worse in the past year, according to a major survey of planning authorities in England and Wales.
Hampshire leader announces abrupt resignation 16/05/2024 The leader of Hampshire County Council has announced he is standing down next week after two years in the role.
New boundaries in Coventry, Surrey and Staffordshire council areas 15/05/2024 Coventry City Council’s wards will be altered and boundary divisions for Surrey and Staffordshire county councils are also set to change.
Poll reveals low levels of trust in councillors 23/04/2024 Just over 40% of people in England trust their local councillors to work in the best interests of people in local areas, a new survey has revealed.
Devon County Council’s long-serving leader steps down 18/04/2024 The leader of Devon County Council has said it is the ‘right time’ to leave the post after 15 years.
Watchdog tells Falkirk to confront 'difficult decisions' 17/04/2024 Falkirk Council faces ‘difficult decisions’ to bridge a budget gap of tens of millions, according to Audit Scotland.
Council to announce chief after capacity criticism 15/04/2024 East Devon DC is hoping to announce its new chief executive early next month after peers said senior level capacity was currently ‘limited’.
LGA calls for powers to withhold members’ address 03/04/2024 Council leaders have repeated their call for legislation enabling councils to withhold councillors' home addresses amid fears of abuse and intimidation.
'Business as usual' for Lancashire councillors despite resignations 02/04/2024 Councillors in Lancashire have insisted it will be ‘business as usual’ despite 20 resignations in protest at the leadership of the national Labour party.
Officer-councillor tensions affecting outcomes, review finds 20/03/2024 Tensions between Teignbridge DC’s executive and senior leadership team are ‘inhibiting progress and damaging the council’s reputation,’ review warns.
Oldham Council celebrates 175th birthday 14/03/2024 Oldham Council has celebrated the borough's 175th birthday at an event in the central library.
Leader of cash-strapped Notts council to step down 12/03/2024 The leader of financially stricken Nottingham City Council has announced he is stepping down in May.
Reading BC leader steps down 07/03/2024 The leader of Reading Borough Council has announced his intention to stand down ahead of the local elections in May.
Prospective councillors told to campaign for MP 04/03/2024 Tory councillors in North Northamptonshire have been told they must do 30 sessions of canvassing if they want to stand in the upcoming local elections.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities 28/02/2024 Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
Orkney names Scotland's youngest council leader 21/02/2024 Orkney Islands Council has appointed Cllr Heather Woodbridge as Scotland's youngest local authority leader.
$Officer-member relations ‘fractured’ at Wrexham image$ Officer-member relations ‘fractured’ at Wrexham 01/02/2024 Issues in Wrexham County Borough Council’s planning service mean it is hindered in fulfilling its role, an audit has found.
Councillor quits Labour over its Israel-Gaza stance 31/01/2024 A Merton councillor has resigned from Labour over the party’s stance on the war in Gaza.
LGA calls for powers to withhold councillors' address 10/01/2024 Monitoring officers should be allowed to withhold councillors’ home addresses from public registers to help tackle rising levels of abuse and hate, Smith Square has said.
Eight Hastings councillors quit Labour 19/12/2023 Eight members of Hastings Borough Council, including its leader, have resigned from the Labour Party.
'Unacceptable culture' at East Devon 19/12/2023 An auditor heard bullying allegations among evidence that ‘cultural issues’ at East Devon DC saw officers leave and members decide not to stand for re-election.
Norfolk devolution schedule delayed 04/12/2023 Norfolk’s level 3 devolution deal is set to be pushed back to 2025.
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.
LGA responds to councillor’s ceasefire email 21/11/2023 The LGA has spoken out after a councillor threatened to name locally elected members who did not sign up to support a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
Burnley councillors quit over Starmer’s position on Gaza 06/11/2023 Burnley Borough Council's leader and nine other councillors at the authority have left the Labour Party over Keir Starmer's stance on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Labour’s 13-year Oxford reign ends after ninth resignation 30/10/2023 Labour has lost its majority on Oxford City Council after a ninth councillor resigned from the party over its stance on the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Starmer writes to councillors over Gaza comment 19/10/2023 Sir Keir Starmer has written to Labour councillors after a number of resignations following his comments on the conflict in Gaza.
Welsh government urged to improve diversity in local politics 17/10/2023 Women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities are under-represented in Welsh local government, according to a new Senedd committee report.
Labour councillors resign over Starmer’s Gaza comment 16/10/2023 Two Oxford City Council members have resigned from Labour in protest over Sir Keir Starmer's response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
Dorset eyes cross-boundary devolution bid 09/10/2023 Dorset Council is looking beyond its borders for potential partners in a devolution deal bid.
Gove attacks four-day week 'nonsense' in conference speech 03/10/2023 Local government secretary Michael Gove delivered a speech to the Conservative Party Conference light on new policies and laden with election slogans.
Council leaders create roadmap for a Starmer government 26/09/2023 A plan for a future Labour administration to ‘reform public services and rebuild trust’ has been drawn out by local authority leaders.
Two in five say officer-member relations are poor 01/08/2023 More than 40% of town hall staff and councillors believe officer-member relations are poor and hinder performance, a new study has found.
Hastings' financial controls 'not fully developed' 31/07/2023 Senior Hastings BC councillors will be urged next week to ‘bring in and embed more stringent financial controls and accountability to urgently reduce spending’.
Warning Birmingham equal pay bill could rise further 26/07/2023 Birmingham City Council’s mammoth equal pay bill could rise further if it fails to meet a tight deadline to fix the issue.
Newcastle to consult on bringing housing in-house 25/07/2023 Newcastle City Council will consult on bringing its housing services back in-house.
First asylum barge arrives 18/07/2023 A controversial barge for 500 asylum seekers today arrived at its mooring off the Dorset coast.
Overton rejects breakaway Green group idea 10/07/2023 The re-elected leader of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) independents has rejected the idea of a breakaway Green group.
More councillors feel at risk of abuse 06/07/2023 The number of local councillors who have reported feeling at risk in their role due to abuse and intimidation has increased in the last year, LGA finds.
Majority of councils support return of virtual meetings 29/06/2023 Most councils would like to be able to reintroduce virtual meetings to support the recruitment and retention of councillors, a new survey has revealed.