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.
Councils' cash stash soars as millions go untouched
24/09/2026 Local authorities in England paid more money into their reserves last year than they took out, Government figures have revealed. |
Burnham 'growth in every postcode' ambition dismissed
23/09/2026 Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned against awarding groundbreaking tax powers to every region. |
Parties agree to share portfolios at Oldham
21/09/2026 Political parties at Oldham MBC have reached a power sharing agreement that partly breaks the deadlock created by May’s elections. |
Another multi-million pound loss for Cambridgeshire CC-owned company
28/08/2026 A council-owned development company that borrowed £120m from its parent local authority has posted another multi-million pound loss. |
Dudley heavily criticised by Ofsted
25/08/2026 Children's services provided by Dudley MBC have been heavily criticised by Ofsted. |
Women bear full force of rise in abuse by councillors
29/07/2026 A growing number of council chiefs are reporting abuse and inappropriate behaviour by councillors to their trade union, with women bearing the brunt. |
Burnham promises to empower councils as Rayner returns to replace Reed
20/07/2026 Andy Burnham has promised to give councils more powers to tackle problems such as rough sleeping and social care while moving decision-making from Whitehall. |
Suffolk CC to push on with LGR legal challenge
30/06/2026 Suffolk CC is pursuing its legal challenge to local government reorganisation (LGR) following revelations Steve Reed defied civil service advice. |
Call for fiscal devolution to be based on clear criteria
09/06/2026 Fiscal devolution must be based around local taxes or revenue rather than the existing grant system, a report has urged. |
Union raises alarm over bullying and harassment
08/06/2026 Social workers are raising the alarm over bullying or harassment at the same time as struggling with funding shortages. |
Chiefs take charge
04/06/2026 Uncertainty at several local authorities as recent elections leave chief executives presiding over a changing political landscape. |
Reform UK councillors back down in row over airport loan
11/05/2026 Doncaster City Council is to borrow £57m to help reopen its airport after Reform UK councillors backed down from a direct confrontation with its leadership. |
Mayor steps into chief executive row with Reform UK councillors
06/05/2026 Doncaster's Labour mayor has stepped into the row between chief executive Damian Allen and Reform UK councillors by backing her chief executive officer. |
Homeless handed rising proportion of social housing
14/04/2026 The proportion of social housing being allocated to homeless people has risen, according to data collated by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). |
LGPS performing well, pension advisers say
07/04/2026 The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is performing well and managing risk responsibly during a time of economic uncertainty, according to pension advisers Hymans Robertson. |
Further devolution plans unveiled
01/04/2026 Council leaders in the Midlands and West of England have begun responding to a call from ministers to reveal their devolution plans. |
Report finds 'optimism bias' in council projections
30/03/2026 Brighton and Hove city councillors were guilty of ‘optimism bias’ in forecasting the popularity of the i360 seafront tower, a report has found. |
Leaders united on devo despite reorg rivalry
12/03/2026 Council leaders in Hertfordshire have insisted they remain united over devolution despite presenting the Government with a range of reorganisation options. |
'Widespread lack of understanding' to blame for key worker oversight
03/03/2026 Failure to recognise council employees as key workers during the pandemic must be reviewed as part of planning for future emergencies, Covid inquiry told. |
Government rejects food waste transparency call
03/02/2026 The Government has rebuffed calls for transparency around funding for food waste collections, insisting it is not in the ‘public interest'. |
