15/04/2025

Two local authority pension pools have reacted angrily after their plans to meet new standards were rejected by ministers.

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.

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.

10/12/2019

Neil Merrick finds out what councils across the country are doing to welcome and resettle Syrian refugees.

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.

25/11/2019

Neil Merrick voices his frustration over how different councils interpret purdah rules.

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.

26/09/2019

Neil Merrick explores how councils are improving the safety of social housing two years after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

02/04/2019

Neil Merrick talks to the Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry about the progress of developments in the North.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

25/09/2018

Neil Merrick outlines the five key areas that parish and town councillors should be trained in.

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.