Watch: Cadaema’s David Parrett on getting a grip on council estates
David Parrett, Director at Cadaema Consulting Services, talks to LocalGov about why councils lack basic data on their buildings and what they can do about it.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils told to 'avoid publicity' over business rates refunds
10/11/2026 Councils have been told to ‘avoid publicity' as they refund thousands of business ratepayers overcharged because of an error in regulations, The MJ reveals. |
Visitor levy 'chance to prove what devolution can deliver'
06/11/2026 The introduction of the Visitor Levy Bill to Parliament ‘marks one of the biggest steps for fiscal decentralisation this country has seen so far', says IPPR. |
Mayors to hold water firms to account
05/11/2026 Mayors will receive powers through legislation to hold water firms to account for their performance. |
EXCLUSIVE: Plans for leadership college to be put to Whitehall
04/11/2026 A proposed leadership college for local government would help the sector attract and retain ‘exceptional talent’, Whitehall is expected to be told. |
Call for commissioners at strategic authority
03/11/2026 The Labour group leader at Hull City Council has called for the Government to ‘step in to appoint commissioners’ at his strategic authority. |
Fresh equal pay warning
02/11/2026 Councils could face a fresh wave of equal pay litigation under Whitehall reforms as HR cuts make it harder for councils to defend claims. |
April 2029 vesting day for all areas as ministers recommit to reorganisation
29/10/2026 Ministers have insisted Whitehall is ‘committed to seeing local government reorganisation through' as they announced an April 2029 vesting day for 20 areas. |
Rayner expected to send in commissioners to Bedford BC
15/10/2026 Communities secretary Angela Rayner has indicated that the Government is minded to appoint commissioners to Bedford BC after a Best Value inspection. |
Chiefs push for councils to be viewed equally as Government seeks to rewire the state
14/10/2026 Council chief executives have warned Whitehall that local authorities must be treated as equal partners as the Government plans to rewire the state. |
Whitehall 'exploring' using AI to help intervention decisions
07/10/2026 Whitehall is ‘exploring' the use of AI to help assess councils against the key risk indicators for intervention, The MJ has learnt. |
Councils still waiting on fees and charges review 10 months on
02/10/2026 The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on ministers to deliver their commitment to review sales, fees and charges ahead of the Budget. |
Councils call for more regulation amid facial recognition rollout
23/09/2026 Councils across England have called for more regulation as the sector increases its use of controversial facial recognition technology. |
Pressure grows on ministers to publish reorganisation legal advice
15/09/2026 Pressure was this week growing on ministers to publish the legal advice behind their decision to ‘pause' local government reorganisation and announce review. |
Temporary accommodation inquiry launched by NAO
11/09/2026 The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched an inquiry into the resilience of temporary accommodation amid soaring demand. |
EXCLUSIVE: Burnham wish for new settlement with sector
10/09/2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told council leaders he wants to ‘create a new settlement between central and local’. |
EXCLUSIVE: Croydon concerns over transformation
08/09/2026 Croydon LBC's corporate management team and commissioners have privately expressed concerns about the council's transformation pace, focus and outcomes. |
Rayner orders review of local government reorganisation
07/09/2026 The Government has launched a review of its reorganisation programme, withdrawing decisions on four areas and pausing a further sixteen, it has announced. |
Sir James replaced by Lam in shadow Cabinet reshuffle
01/09/2026 Shadow Home Office minister and assistant whip Katie Lam has been appointed shadow housing, communities and local government secretary. |
Legal threat to Burnham asylum plan
17/08/2026 Reform UK and the Conservatives could launch legal challenges to prevent PM Andy Burnham from spreading asylum accommodation more evenly across the country. |
Council tax harmonisation warning
13/08/2026 Local authorities heading towards reorganisation face a lose-lose scenario on how to harmonise varying council tax bills, a finance director has warned. |
