Paul Marinko 27 August 2025

Taskforce fails to recognise councils' key role in cohesion

Taskforce fails to recognise councils key role in cohesion image
Social Cohesion (c) amer ghazzal Alamy Stock Photo.

Ministers have been accused of failing to recognise the ‘vital role’ of councils in cohesion after deciding to limit a new taskforce’s membership to mandarins.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) told The MJ its social cohesion taskforce was made up of an ‘internal civil service team’ charged with considering ‘how to tackle divisions in our communities and build common ground’.

With Epping Forest DC last week winning its court battle with the Home Office over the temporary closure of an asylum hotel, the district’s leader Chris Whitbread said: ‘By excluding local government, the [Government] is fundamentally failing to recognise the vital community leadership role that councils undertake on the ground.’

Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

LocalGov editor, William Eichler, sat down with Kelly Fowler, the CEO of Belong, to discuss immigration, social cohesion, and whether the UK really had become an ‘island of strangers’.

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know image

Skills Pipelines: What local government needs to know

Councils and mayors are to be handed a central role in developing skills pipelines for local industries, as the Government unveils what it calls a ‘fundamental change’ to the education system aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Here's what council leaders and officers need to know.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Service Manager - Care Leavers

Cheshire East Council
£54,994 per annum - £62,777 per annum
We're looking for an experienced and passionate Service Manager to join Cheshire East Council. Location TBC
Recuriter: Cheshire East Council

SEND Plan Writer

Cheshire East Council
£31,537 - £34,434
We're looking for a dedicated SEND Plan Writer to join Cheshire East. Macclesfield, Cheshire
Recuriter: Cheshire East Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

Cheshire East Council
£42,072 - £54,994
Make a difference for children in care Macclesfield, Cheshire
Recuriter: Cheshire East Council

Occupational Therapy Lead

Gloucestershire County Council
£48,226 - £51,356 per annum
Are you passionate about supporting adults to live independently and achieve what matters most to them? Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Adult Education Director

City Of Doncaster Council
DR1 £45,564 to DR8 £52,209
We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Further Education leader Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner