Legal

• Northamptonshire library closures ruled ‘unlawful’

  The decision to close 21 council-run libraries in Northamptonshire was made unlawfully, a court has ruled.

  

• Christchurch refused permission to appeal reorganisation judgement

  Christchurch Borough Council has been refused leave to appeal the judgement about local government reorganisation.

  

• Council faces legal action over pothole death

  Warwickshire County Council is facing possible legal action after delays in repairing a pothole led to the death of a cyclist.

  

• Unison appeals against reversal of £400m sleep-in shift ruling

  Unison has lodged an official appeal against the ruling that social care providers will no longer be required to pay £400m in backpay to carers doing sleep-in shifts.

  

• Warning that more councils could cut services to bare minimum

  An increasing number of councils could be forced to cut services to the legal minimum, financial experts have warned.

  

• Councils begin judicial review against Heathrow expansion

  Five London councils, Greenpeace and the mayor of London have started judicial review proceedings against the expansion of Heathrow airport.

  

• Christchurch reorganisation challenge defeated

  Christchurch BC may launch an appeal after a High Court judge today refused its challenge to local government reorganisation plans.

  

• Court rules £5m of special needs cuts ‘illegal’

  Bristol City Council has said it is ‘disappointed’ by a court ruling that found the authority had acted illegally by cutting £5m from the budget for children with special needs.

  

• Councils seek judicial review of Heathrow runway decision

  London councils have notified the secretary of state for transport they will be seeking a judicial review of the decision to support third Heathrow runway.

  

• Councils sue Barclays over controversial LOBO loans

  Barclays are being sued by 14 local authorities over allegations it committed fraud over loans to councils.