Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
David Phillips of the IFS tells LocalGov why England's regional finance reforms are modest by global comparison and what ministers still need to get right.
Anti-corruption body urges UK to toughen council codes of conduct
20/08/2026 The Council of Europe's anti-corruption body has called on the UK to strengthen codes of conduct and integrity training for local councillors. |
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall exploring adding teeth to standards regime
21/07/2026 Whitehall officials are attempting to add teeth to the standards regime despite the lack of a primary legislation vehicle to bring reform, The MJ understands. |
Islington pension fund members back divestment proposals
20/07/2026 More than 80% of respondents to a consultation on Islington Council's Pension Fund backed proposals to end investments in companies linked to conflict. |
Standards Without Teeth: Why local government's code of conduct is failing
06/07/2026 As the LGA conference kicks off, Kath O'Dwyer, Solace, explains why the standards regime is failing and what a fit-for-purpose system should look like. |
Councillor found in breach of code of conduct over disrespectful comments
07/05/2026 A Leicester CC standards panel has found a Green councillor in breach of the council's code of conduct for disrespectful comments. |
Council seeks ethical whalebone arch replacement
03/02/2026 North Yorkshire Council is considering sustainable replacement options for the town’s historic whalebone arch. |
Facial Recognition: Balancing safety, privacy, and trust in local communities
13/11/2025 Tony Oliver, Head of Physical Security, North, explores how facial recognition technology can help local authorities enhance public safety. |
Isle of Wight Council ‘dysfunctional’, report finds
12/11/2025 A new report has warned that Isle of Wight Council faces serious governance failings and risks Government intervention unless urgent reforms are made. |
Tougher sanctions to tackle town hall misconduct proposed
11/11/2025 Local authorities could be granted new powers to suspend councillors for serious misconduct, according to proposals to improve standards in local government. |
Council pension fund launches poll on responsible investment
22/10/2025 Lewisham Council is inviting members of its pension fund to take part in a new survey on responsible investment, helping guide investment decisions. |
Council defends £500k AI deal with Palantir
01/09/2025 Coventry City Council has defended a £500,000-a-year AI contract with US data company Palantir, which supplies technology to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). |
Calls for AI ethics and data ethics boards
13/08/2025 Calls have been made for all councils to form artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and data ethics boards. |
Councillor accused of making ‘racist remarks’ during LGA meeting
17/05/2024 A Tendring district councillor has been found to have breached the councillors’ Code of Conduct by allegedly making ‘highly offensive’ and ‘racist remarks’. |
Minister told to refer herself to ethics advisor over 15-minute city claim
14/05/2024 Health minister Maria Caulfield told to refer herself to the ministerial ethics adviser after leaflets accused her council of restricting freedom to drive. |
Chiefs' new professional development framework launched
17/10/2023 The first version of a new professional development framework to keep local government chief executives ‘ahead of the game’ has been launched. |
Councillor apologises for assaulting blogger
02/02/2023 A Sandwell councillor who assaulted a blogger by knocking the phone out of his hands has apologised for the incident. |
Gove urges pension funds to add to Russian pressure
14/03/2022 Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has urged local government pension scheme (LGPS) committee chairs to consider what more they can do to exert pressure on Russia. |
Call for power to ban councillors
30/01/2019 Council standards boards should have the power to ban councillors for up to six months without allowances, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has recommended. |
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Ethical standards in local government to be reviewed
30/01/2018 A review into how local government is supporting ethical standards is to be conducted by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. |
