Staying Safe in Local Elections: Challenges and support for candidates
With local elections nearing, rising abuse fears are deterring candidates - this analysis explores risks, definitions, and new guidance to support safer campaigning.
Bracknell Forest apologises for land search delays after software switch
17/04/2026 Bracknell Forest Council has apologised for disruption to local property purchases caused by a significant data issue. |
LocalGov Round-Up: Southport inquiry, pay talks and Reform’s savings claim
17/04/2026 Southport inquiry fallout, a pay standoff, record six-figure salaries, a roads funding row and Reform UK's savings claims – it's been a busy week. |
Government to examine deaths of vulnerable care leavers
16/04/2026 The Government has announced a review into the deaths of vulnerable care leavers, aiming to improve protections for young people leaving the care system. |
EXCLUSIVE: Dramatic fall in LGA staff morale revealed
16/04/2026 Morale among LGA employees fell dramatically during the year leading up to restructuring though problems were mounting as far back as 2024. |
Electoral Commission launches deepfake detection pilot ahead of May elections
16/04/2026 The Electoral Commission has launched a pilot scheme to detect and counter political deepfakes ahead of elections in England, Scotland and Wales on 7 May. |
Think tank proposes later-life social care fund
16/04/2026 A think tank is calling for a fundamental redesign of how later-life social care is funded in England, proposing a new national insurance-style fund. |
Bury Council election cancelled following candidate's death
16/04/2026 A local election in Bury has been cancelled after the death of one of the candidates standing in the Moorside ward. |
Government opens £1bn fund to repair bridges, flyovers and tunnels
15/04/2026 The Government has launched a new £1bn Structures Fund to help councils repair ageing bridges, flyovers and tunnels across England. |
Council leaders warn EP shortage threatens SEND ambitions
15/04/2026 Council chiefs are sounding the alarm over a shortage of Educational Psychologists that threatens to derail Government SEND plans. |
Stafford trio join Churchill in borough's highest honour
15/04/2026 Stafford Borough Council has unanimously voted to award its highest honour to three individuals in recognition of their service to the area. |
Council tax enforcement rules to be overhauled
15/04/2026 The Government has announced changes to council tax administration in England, giving households more time to settle arrears. |
Inspectors hit Basildon BC with lowest social housing grade
15/04/2026 Basildon BC has been awarded the lowest possible social housing grade following an inspection that uncovered very serious failings. |
Clean-up begins at Kidlington illegal waste site
15/04/2026 A major operation to clear an illegal waste site in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, is now underway, the Environment Agency has announced. |
Lancashire CC apologises for role in failings before Southport attack
14/04/2026 The chief executive of Lancashire County Council has apologised for the authority's role in the systemic failings that preceded the Southport knife attack. |
Record number of council staff earning over £100k
14/04/2026 A record 4,733 local authority employees across the UK received total remuneration of more than £100,000 in 2024-25, according to a new analysis. |
Councils risk losing funding under new pothole performance rules
14/04/2026 Local highway authorities in England face losing up to a third of their roads funding if they cannot demonstrate it is being spent on road maintenance. |
Council threatens legal action over £20m roads funding row
13/04/2026 North Yorkshire Council has threatened to take legal action against York and North Yorkshire mayor David Skaith over a dispute about highways funding. |
Thousands of unpaid carers to have allowance debts cancelled
13/04/2026 The Government has announced that tens of thousands of unpaid carers will have debts reduced, cancelled, or refunded following a decade of confusing guidance. |
Pizza Out, Salad In: Schools face sweeping junk food ban
13/04/2026 The Government has announced plans to overhaul school food standards for the first time in over a decade. |
LocalGov Round-Up: LGR, Finance and Local Elections
10/04/2026 This week councils faced questions over reorganisation, concerns over the finances of the social care sector and a reminder of electoral fraud risks. |
