Improvement

• Whitehall demands in-year cuts to improvement programme

  The sector’s ability to respond to crises such as a care provider failure could be hit after Whitehall demanded cuts to a key improvement programme, senior councillors have been warned.

  

• LEPs told to improve ahead of EU funding changes

  Fresh concerns have emerged about local enterprise partnerships (LEP) as the Government considers whether to use them to funnel UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) cash.

  

• Brokenshire considering new devolution models

  James Brokenshire is considering new models of devolution as he seeks to extend further powers to local areas, the communities secretary has insisted.

  

• Northampton unitary plan falls

  The tight timeframe for reorganising local government across Northamptonshire claimed its first victim this week despite ministers’ decision to extend the consultation period.

  

• Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners

  New local government secretary James Brokenshire has today announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.

  

• Northants to have improvement board

  Northamptonshire CC will establish an improvement board that will work closely with government commissioners to improve the county’s finances and governance ahead of reorganisation.

  

• Essex to take lead over Barnet’s ‘inadequate’ children’s services

  Essex County Council has been appointed Barnet’s improvement partner after the latter’s children’s services were rated ‘inadequate’ by inspectors.

  

• Inspectors sent in to probe Northamptonshire Council's finances

  Local government secretary Sajid Javid has ordered a best value inspection of Conservative-led Northamptonshire CC amid continuing concerns over its financial management and corporate governance.