Councils click into the future of planning
In town halls across the country, planning officers are racing to update their Local Plans — but this time, the process looks very different.
Ministers tell pension pools to merge
15/04/2025 Two local authority pension pools have reacted angrily after their plans to meet new standards were rejected by ministers. |
Reorganisation proposals average 544,000 population
14/04/2025 Reorganisation proposals submitted by councils would produce new unitaries of varying sizes but with an average population of 544,837, analysis reveals. |
Welsh council tax rise of 7.2%
14/04/2025 Local authorities in Wales are raising council tax by an average of 7.2% in 2025/26 - the second largest rise for more than 20 years. |
Providing sanctuary for refugees
10/12/2019 Neil Merrick finds out what councils across the country are doing to welcome and resettle Syrian refugees. |
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PWLB hike: A rise too far?
09/12/2019 What impact will the increase to the Public Works Loan Board rate have on councils’ housing and other capital schemes? Neil Merrick investigates. |
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Navigating the rules of purdah
25/11/2019 Neil Merrick voices his frustration over how different councils interpret purdah rules. |
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How accurate is the annual rough sleeping count?
21/10/2019 With some councils changing from estimating the number of homeless people on the streets to actually counting them, do recent figures genuinely reflect the success of the government's rough sleeping initiative? Neil Merrick investigates. |
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The safety of social housing
26/09/2019 Neil Merrick explores how councils are improving the safety of social housing two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy. |
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Safeguarding shake-up
24/09/2019 With local safeguarding children boards being abolished, Neil Merrick finds out what new arrangements councils are setting up in their local areas. |
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Forced into aggressive debt collection?
08/07/2019 With more households falling behind in council tax payments, are councils becoming too aggressive in the way they collect arrears? Neil Merrick investigates. |
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A licence to let
04/07/2019 With the government’s recent focus on regulating the private rented sector, Neil Merrick explores how councils are using licensing scheme to tackle rogue landlords. |
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The rise of the ‘super’ parish council
26/06/2019 With figures showing parish precepts have risen by 4.9% this year, Neil Merrick explores how parish councils are using the extra revenue to deliver increased and better services. |
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Has the Government ‘gone cold’ on the Northern Powerhouse?
02/04/2019 Neil Merrick talks to the Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry about the progress of developments in the North. |
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Redefining the shape of local government
20/03/2019 With the new authorities of East Suffolk and West Suffolk launching from next month, what final hurdles do the councils face in coming together? Neil Merrick reports. |
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Supporting victims of domestic abuse
21/01/2019 More than a year after the Government promised a domestic abuse bill, Neil Merrick explores what councils are currently doing to help protect victims. |
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Is bankruptcy an option?
10/01/2019 Neil Merrick finds out what consequences a council may face if it is unable to provide statutory services or deliver a balanced budget. |
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The rebirth of local authority planning?
13/12/2018 Does the publication of Letwin’s report into tackling the housing crisis mean councils will take a more proactive role in development? Neil Merrick explores. |
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A sign of cutting corners?
09/10/2018 With figures revealing the number of complaints about local councils are on the rise, what does this say about the performance of the sector? Neil Merrick investigates. |
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Clerks and councillors: Raising their game
25/09/2018 Neil Merrick outlines the five key areas that parish and town councillors should be trained in. |
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A false economy
21/09/2018 With councils being forced to spend more money on children in crisis, this often comes at the expense of preventative services. Neil Merrick finds out why this is creating a postcode lottery in children's social care. |
