Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
Scots council map to be torn up
22/09/2026 The Scottish Government has announced proposals for a major shake-up of councils. |
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee chair elected
17/09/2026 Abena Oppong-Asare has been elected as chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee. |
Director issues warning following legal action
16/09/2026 A council director targeted by a member of the public with legal action has voiced fears others could be singled out in the same manner. |
Scottish local government system to be overhauled
04/09/2026 A ‘new structure for local government in Scotland' has been announced by first minister John Swinney. |
Wandsworth uses Communities Act to fight funding cuts
03/09/2026 Wandsworth LBC is to use legislation introduced almost 20 years ago in an attempt to fend off government funding cuts. |
Luton and Milton Keynes push for strategic mayoral authority
02/09/2026 Two councils are pressing the Government to form a mayoral strategic authority covering Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. |
Lincolnshire issues legal LGR letter to Government
27/08/2026 Lincolnshire CC has joined the ranks of councils embarking on the road to legal challenges against the Government over reorganisation decisions. |
North Yorkshire Council chief announces retirement
27/08/2026 Richard Flinton has announced he is to stand down as chief executive of North Yorkshire Council. |
Civil servants seconded to all mayoral authorities
24/08/2026 Civil servants are to be seconded to every mayoral authority in the country, the Government has announced. |
Questions over link between welfare and rent increases
18/08/2026 Unfreezing housing benefits would not drive increasing rents, according to newly-published analysis. |
Devolution race exposes divisions over mayor question
13/08/2026 The Government was this week facing hurdles as it races to complete the devolution map across England by the end of 2028. |
Doubts over health and care integration agreements
06/08/2026 Doubts have been cast over the future of a key model for joint working between health and council services. |
CIPFA report uncovers 'weak financial management' at Hillingdon
03/08/2026 Hillingdon LBC must change course to avoid relying on exceptional financial support (EFS) for years to come, a report has concluded. |
Councils' vulnerability to cyber attacks highlighted
29/07/2026 English councils are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than a year ago, according to annual analysis by the Cyber Centre of Excellence. |
Local government handed role developing skills pipelines
28/07/2026 Councils and mayors will be given a role in developing skills pipelines for local industries under plans announced by the Government. |
Burnham to boost mayors' spending power
28/07/2026 Prime Minister Andy Burham is preparing to announce a significant boost to mayors' spending power later this week, it has been reported. |
LGA warns councils 'sidelined' by social care Fair Pay Agreement
16/07/2026 Councils are to be ‘sidelined' by a negotiating body representing care workers, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned. |
Reed acknowledges fair funding 'dramatic shifts' in councils' finances
15/07/2026 Local government secretary Steve Reed has conceded ‘dramatic shifts' in councils' finances resulting from the fair funding review should have been avoided. |
LGA conference: Change journey 'will never end' in Northamptonshire
09/07/2026 North Northamptonshire Council has offered to help councils embarking on their own reorganisation journey. |
Funding pledge could shackle social care reform
07/07/2026 The prospects for social care reform under an Andy Burnham government could be constrained by his tax pledges, experts have warned. |
