Institutional Blindness – there is a cure
Scott Dorling outlines some of the key lessons for local authorities in the recent public interest report into Nottingham's governance of Robin Hood Energy Limited.
Report calls for fundamental reform to local government funding
15/10/2020 The handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the ‘dysfunctional relationship’ between central and local government, a report has argued today. |
'Hand power down to level up' report argues
09/10/2020 Power must be decentralised and rebalanced around the needs of local places if the Government’s aim if levelling up is to be met, a report has argued today. |
MPs to examine how Whitehall can ensure effective devolution
08/10/2020 A new inquiry examining how to improve the effectiveness of devolution in England has been launched by MPs. |
Councils calls for COBRA-style action to tackle youth unemployment
06/10/2020 Council leaders have called for a COBRA-style response to tackle youth unemployment and save a ‘lost generation’ of young people. |
‘Lack of direction’ putting levelling up agenda at risk, warns report
28/09/2020 A lack of strategy from the Government is the greatest barrier to levelling up the country, a new report has warned today. |
Tackle health and economic inequalities at local level, economists say
21/09/2020 A group of leading economists says that the Government’s ‘leveling up’ agenda should focus more on devolution and health and economic inequalities, and not just on big infrastructure projects. |
All West Yorkshire councils back devolution deal
11/09/2020 All five West Yorkshire councils and the Combined Authority have given their consent to a devolution deal for the region. |
Government should provide £500m arts resilience fund, says study
08/09/2020 The Government should devolve power over arts funding to councils and make a resilience fund available to support art and culture in local areas, report says. |
LEPs need capacity boost to improve delivery, research finds
07/09/2020 Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) would be better at delivering large-scale capital projects if they had more capacity, independent research for the Government has found. |
Scottish councils release blueprint for change
07/09/2020 A local government blueprint laying out the changes required to unlock councils’ full potential has been published by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) today. |
DCN: Bigger local government is ‘not better or cheaper’
01/09/2020 Proposals for county unitary councils would be 122 times larger than the average council in Germany, a new report by the District Councils’ Network (DCN) warns today. |
Three districts table Gloucestershire devolution proposals
27/08/2020 Three of Gloucestershire’s district councils have proposed creating two unitary authorities in the county. |
Call to scrap two-tier local government system in rural areas
04/08/2020 The ‘confusing' two-tier model of local government should be abolished and replaced with single unitary councils, a report has argued today. |
Over half of workforce in county areas 'at risk' due to pandemic
04/08/2020 Over half the workforce in England's county areas work in sectors ‘at risk’ due to the coronavirus crisis, research has warned today. |
Councillors in south east reject metro mayors, says poll
28/07/2020 Seven out of ten councillors in the South East of England are against plans for metro mayors, a poll has revealed. |
Reorganisation will deter potential councillors, report warns
24/07/2020 Local government unitary reorganisation will slash the number of councillors and deter many from standing for election, a report for the District Councils’ Network (DCN) has warned. |
Calls to devolve £5.2bn flood defences funding
14/07/2020 Councils have called for funding for flood defences to be devolved to local areas, after the Government announced its new long-term plan to tackle flooding in England. |
Sheffield devolution deal set to be passed by Parliament
29/06/2020 A new devolution deal for South Yorkshire will be laid before Parliament today, handing new powers and millions of pounds of funding to the region. |
Hand health powers to elected mayors, says report
23/06/2020 Health powers should be handed to elected mayors as part of a ‘rejuvenated and fortified wave of devolution,’ a think-tank report has suggested. |
Javid urges reorganisation and devolution post-COVID
23/06/2020 Council tax reform and local government reorganisation should both play a part in the post COVID economic recovery, former communities secretary Sajid Javid has said. |
Council chiefs call for devolution of skills investment
17/06/2020 Local authority leaders have said they will work with the Government to develop post-Covid economic recovery plans as figures reveal a fall in employment. |
A tipping point for town centres?
16/04/2020 Nigel Wilcock warns that many town centre businesses are now probably terminally damaged – and genuine change will be essential. |
NIC launches future of rail consultation
26/03/2020 The National Infrastructure Commission has launched a consultation on the future rail landscape of the North and the Midlands as part of the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda. |
West Yorkshire devolution deal moves to next stage
25/03/2020 The West Yorkshire devolution deal has taken a step forward after receiving backing from Bradford Council and Kirklees Council. |
Leaving nothing to chance
12/03/2020 The ‘levelling-up’ Budget is era-defining and ambitious in scope – but we will have to wait until the summer Spending Review to understand the blueprint, says Localis’s Jonathan Werran. |
Budget 2020: Sunak reveals spending spree for first budget
11/03/2020 New chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a Budget to end austerity, boost productivity and tackle the problems created by coronavirus. |
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced
11/03/2020 A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy. |
Reorganisation fears overshadow devolution talks
10/03/2020 Concerns over local government reorganisation are marring devolution talks in the north-west. |
Former 'red wall' support devolution to tackle climate change
10/03/2020 Three-quarters of former ‘red wall’ seats believe councils need extra funding and powers to deal with the climate emergency, a new survey has revealed. |
MPs to examine current approach to devolution
09/03/2020 An inquiry looking into progress on devolution in England has been launched by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee. |
Jenrick voices support for East Midlands Combined Authority plans
02/03/2020 District and borough councils in Leicestershire have announced they will be taking forward discussions about creating an East Midlands Combined Authority. |
Government urged to 'think big' to tackle regional inequalities
02/03/2020 A comprehensive review of economic decline and social division has called for a ‘large-scale, comprehensive, long-term and devolved’ plan of action to deliver change. |
Next London mayor must ‘forge’ new template for devolution
24/02/2020 London boroughs have called on the next mayor to ‘reset’ the relationship between central Government and Britain’s cities and counties. |
Think tank calls for ‘Devolution Parliament’
21/02/2020 A think tank has called for a ‘Devolution Parliament’ as it releases research showing that England has the worst regional inequalities in the developed world. |
Mayor calls for English Barnett Formula
21/02/2020 The Government should create an English version of the Barnett Formula to deliver fair funding outside of London, the mayor of Greater Manchester has said. |
Urban councils call for fiscal devolution to end ‘Whitehall hand-outs’
10/02/2020 Urban authorities have joined forces to urge the Government to devolve power to cities in order to support them in ‘levelling up’ growth across the country. |
Borough seeking unitary status sparks spending row
03/02/2020 A row over council spending has broken out between a county council and a borough authority that is seeking unitary status. |
Commission puts health devolution back on political agenda
03/02/2020 A new Commission calling for the devolution of health and social care services has been launched today. |
The price to pay
29/01/2020 If the Johnson Government values the institutions of mayoral governance as agents of levelling up, they will have to creatively fund and resource them, writes Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran. |
Ministers in Leeds to thrash out devo deal
28/01/2020 The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is meeting with ministers today to start thrashing out a devolution deal for the Leeds City Region. |
Boroughs in GP estate devolution call
24/01/2020 London Councils has called for more devolution to boroughs of decisions on the GP estate. |
Boost for Yorkshire leaders committee talks
15/01/2020 Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has agreed to talks on the role and functions of a new committee of leaders from across Yorkshire. |
NI council chiefs call for investment to ‘unlock potential of local government'
13/01/2020 Local authority leaders in Northern Ireland have welcomed the draft deal which is set to restore the executive at Stormont and have called for more devolution to the local level. |
Charity calls for devolution to end ‘nightmare rail journeys’
02/01/2020 A charity has called for a radical overhaul of the UK’s rail services including giving city authorities more control over the management of regional networks. |
Rough sleeping in Greater Manchester down by nearly 40%
18/12/2019 Mayor of Greater Manchester urges the Government to do more to help the homeless as figures reveal rough sleeping has fallen by 37% in one year. |
In a nutshell: What the election result means for local government
13/12/2019 With the Conservative party securing its biggest majority since the 1980s, what does this mean for local government? |
Devolution revolution expected after Johnson wins
13/12/2019 Local government was this morning expecting a devolution revolution after Prime Minister Boris Johnson secured a sweeping election win. |
It’s party time
05/12/2019 Paul Marinko tries to help the sector navigate the web of policy commitments for local government on offer after 12 December. |
Labour pledges to restore council spending to 2010 levels
21/11/2019 Council spending powers will be restored to 2010 levels over the next five years, if Labour wins the General Election. |
Think tank calls for ‘devolution parliament’
20/11/2019 Think tank calls for the delivery of a ‘devolution parliament’ in order to address the economic, environmental and democratic challenges facing the UK. |
Calls for 'genuine devolution' by incoming Government
18/11/2019 The chairman of the County Councils Network has called on any new government to implement 'genuine devolution'. |
Think tank calls for ‘devolution evolution’
29/10/2019 A greater devolution of powers and funding would help tackle Britain’s geographical inequalities, a report has said today. |
Council chiefs call for an end to ‘patchwork’ of careers advice
29/10/2019 Local government leaders have called on Whitehall to hand funding and control of national skills schemes to local areas as they warn thousands of young people risk missing out on careers advice. |
Queen's Speech 19: Brexit, health and devo at the heart of Government plans
14/10/2019 Brexit, the NHS and devolution are at the heart of the next round of Government legislation as outlined in the first Queen’s Speech today. |
Queen's Speech 19: Devolution White Paper to set out 'structural reform'
14/10/2019 An English devolution White Paper is planned by the Government, it has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech. |
Changing Tynes
03/10/2019 Heather Jameson talks to Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor, about the main challenges facing the combined authority, the region’s devolution deal, and putting party politics to one side. |
Metro Mayors make case for further devolution
02/10/2019 A group of directly-elected regional mayors have called on Whitehall to devolve more powers and responsibilities to local areas. |
New group to lobby for further devolution to Northern Ireland councils
01/10/2019 A new group to lobby for greater resources and devolution for councils in Northern Ireland has been set up. |
Queen's speech: Time to 'reignite the devolution process'?
01/10/2019 The Local Government Association wants more power devolved to local councils, but there's a big question mark at the heart of the policy, says Mark Whitehead |
Javid promises devolution White Paper
30/09/2019 A new White Paper to more powers to local areas was announced in the Chancellor’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today. |
Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
26/09/2019 The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned. |
Council chiefs call for devolution process to be ‘reignited’
20/09/2019 The Government must 'reignite the devolution process' to give all parts of England more powers and funding, council leaders have demanded. |
Council chiefs call for control over bus services
16/09/2019 Councils must be allowed to control bus services in their areas, according to local government leaders. |
Whitehall commits to new wave of devolution deals across the Midlands
13/09/2019 The publication of a new Midlands Engine Strategy has been brought forward, signalling a commitment from Government for new devolution deals across the Midlands. |
Leaders in the North tell PM to back ‘genuine devolution’
13/09/2019 Northern leaders called on the prime minister to ‘stand on the side of genuine devolution’ as Mr Johnson pledged to give more power to people and businesses in the North. |
Spending Round 2019: Chancellor pledges £1.5bn 'down payment' for social care
04/09/2019 Councils will have access to £1.5bn of new funding for social care next year, the chancellor has announced. |
Adult education budget devolved to six combined authorities
01/08/2019 Six mayoral combined authorities and the GLA will be responsible for the adult education budget in their areas from today, the Government has announced. |
Drop ‘metro mayor’ devolution requirement, PM told
29/07/2019 County council leaders have called on Boris Johnson to ensure there is no mayoral requirement for a ‘full’ devolution deal. |
Local leaders propose new ‘One Yorkshire’ devolution deal
29/07/2019 Local leaders in Yorkshire have presented the PM with proposals to ‘urgently unlock’ the benefits of devolution by opening way to a single deal for the county. |
Rural councils call for end to 'systemic bias' in public finance
22/07/2019 The Government has been urged to end 'systemic bias' when allocating public funding by a new coalition of council chiefs and MPs. |
Council chiefs call for devolution to rural communities after Brexit
04/07/2019 Local authority leaders have called on the Government to devolve more powers to rural areas in the event that Britain leaves the European Union. |
Devolution necessary for ‘rebalancing’ economy, report says
30/05/2019 Power must be devolved to a ‘comprehensive framework’ of mayoral and combined authorities and rural counties in order to rebalance the economy, report says. |
Healing the divisions through local economic power
16/05/2019 The nation is becoming increasingly divided, but a think tank report on Britain post-Brexit provides a positive vision for the future, says Mark Whitehead. |
Whitehall approves South Yorkshire devolution deal
10/05/2019 The Government has approved the South Yorkshire devolution deal, which will see £900m invested in the region. |
Whitehall warned not to ‘roll-back’ on devolution agenda
24/04/2019 Cornwall council has urged the Government not to ‘roll-back’ from the promise of greater devolution after Brexit. |
Whitehall slammed for ‘failing’ to help councils prepare for Brexit
03/04/2019 Council chiefs call for powers to be devolved from Brussels to councils post-Brexit after MPs warn of a lack of preparation for a possible exit from the EU. |
South Yorkshire devolution deadlock broken
25/03/2019 The years-long devolution stalemate in south Yorkshire has finally been resolved. |
Think tank suggests introduction of local income tax
21/03/2019 Local income tax would be the best option for fiscal devolution if the Government wanted to hand more powers to local authorities, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) argued today. |
Council leader calls for rethink of Yorkshire devolution deal
07/03/2019 The leader of Wakefield Council has called on local authorities in Yorkshire to start considering alternative devolution proposals. |
Business rates ‘shakeup’ must be properly managed, warn experts
28/02/2019 Finance experts have called on the Government to explain how changes to the business rates retention system next year will work. |
Council chiefs call for ‘power and control’ over funding after Brexit
27/02/2019 Leaving the EU risks exacerbating regional inequalities, but it also provides an opportunity to rethink the Government’s approach to regional funding. |
Osborne blasts May’s ‘lack of vision’ over Northern Powerhouse
26/02/2019 George Osborne has criticised the Government’s ‘lack of vision’ when it comes to developing the North and has called for ‘action’ from the Prime Minister. |
Think tank calls for devolution of transport funding
18/02/2019 The devolution of transport funding will enable councils to invest on a strategic basis and help match up transport with new developments, a new report says. |
Brokenshire slams door on One Yorkshire plan
12/02/2019 Communities secretary James Brokenshire has told regional leaders that their plans for a One Yorkshire metro mayor fails to meet the Government’s devolution criteria. |
125 years and the issues remain the same
01/02/2019 Spending time poring over issues of The MJ from the past 125 years it is remarkable how much things change and yet they remain the same, says Heather Jameson. |
Burnham launches plan to make Greater Manchester an ‘ambitious hub’
07/01/2019 Greater Manchester’s leaders are today announcing ‘radical plans’ to deliver more affordable housing and better transport across the region. |
Northern Powerhouse needs ‘clear break’ with original vision, report says
05/12/2018 The Government should commit to a ‘whole North’ approach to development rather than just focusing on the Manchester region, think tank says. |
Greater Manchester’s reforms ‘as radical as the creation of the welfare state’
29/11/2018 Greater Manchester is radically overhauling the way it delivers public services in what is being billed as a ‘big test for devolution’. |
Council considers bidding for new money raising powers
02/11/2018 Bath & North East Somerset is being urged to lobby the Government for powers to raise money for local services, such as levies on tourism and short-term lets. |
Multi-million pound North of Tyne devolution deal signed
02/11/2018 A devolution deal for the North of Tyne region has been approved in what the Government describes as an ‘unprecedented’ transfer of power from Westminster. |
Greater Manchester’s transport system ‘outdated’, Burnham says
26/10/2018 Mayor Andy Burnham has called on the Government to give Greater Manchester more powers to look after the day-to-day running of the region’s transport. |
Johnson calls for ‘overdue’ fiscal devolution for councils
02/10/2018 Boris Johnson has called for ‘long overdue’ fiscal devolution for local government saying it will help them fund services and encourage more housebuilding. |
‘Tis the season
27/09/2018 As conference season takes shape, LGA chair Lord Porter looks at the critical issues currently facing local government he is hoping will take centre stage |
One Yorkshire submits devolution plans to Brokenshire
26/09/2018 Councils in Yorkshire have made a show of unity in their pursuit of a devolution deal for the region. |
More for less? Residents will be getting less for more
17/09/2018 There are no more easy pickings when it comes to cuts and now the cracks in austerity plans are taking their toll, writes Heather Jameson. |
Burnham calls for no-deal Brexit contingency plan
05/09/2018 The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is expected to call for a contingency plan in case of a no-deal Brexit in a major speech later today. |
South Yorkshire mayor calls for progress on devolution deal
17/08/2018 The mayor of the Sheffield City Region has warned that ‘not enough’ progress has been made with plans to devolve powers to Yorkshire. |
MPs call for ‘rethink’ of devolution after Brexit
31/07/2018 MPs have called for more powers to be handed to English regions as part of a rethink of devolution after Brexit. |
Yorkshire leaders ‘disappointed’ by Whitehall’s response to devolution deal
13/07/2018 Local government leaders from across the North have said they are ‘disappointed’ at Whitehall’s response to their devolution deal. |
Brokenshire considering new devolution models
10/07/2018 James Brokenshire is considering new models of devolution as he seeks to extend further powers to local areas, the communities secretary has insisted. |
This issue of Public Property examines how how flexible workspaces can lead the way in regeneration for local authorities, Why local authority intervention is key to successful urban regeneration schemes and if the Government’s challenge of embracing beauty is an opportunity for communities.
The March issue also takes a closer look at Blackburn with Darwen Council's first digital health hub to help people gain control over health and care services.
