Local Government News

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

434 Articles

Size of Treasury's business rate 'clawback' could rise to £3.5bn
[Oct 17, 2011, by Dan Drillsma-Milgrom, LGC]

Government proposals to allow councils to retain local business rates could mean that as much as £3.5bn of local authority-collected cash is retained by the Treasury. Finance chiefs at the LGA now understand that the so-called ‘set aside’ element of the government’s proposals - designed to ensure lo

Cameron says government has 'localist plan' for growth
[Oct 6, 2011, by LGC]

David Cameron has said the government will continue to do everything it can to free up business to grow as part of what he described as a “localist plan” for growth.

Cameron 'backs' early intervention foundation
[Sep 20, 2011, by Jim Dunton, LGC]

MP Graham Allen believes his proposed early intervention foundation could be created early next year following crucial backing from prime minister David Cameron

Business backs reforms to 'creaking' planning system
[Sep 19, 2011, by Jonathan Werran, The MJ]

A group of leading businessmen and industrialists has written to The Times blaming a 'creaking planning system' for deterring inward investment and stalling the ability of UK businesses seeking to expand.

Clark rejects claims of ‘cosying’ to developers
[Sep 14, 2011, by Mark Conrad, The MJ]

Planning minister Greg Clark has dismissed suggestions ministers enjoy a cosy relationship with the property industry following allegations he urged developers to lobby Number 10 with support for his decentralised reforms.

Osborne wades into planning row
[Sep 6, 2011, by James Illman, LGC]

George Osborne has robustly defended the coalition’s planning reforms and warned critics that no one should underestimate ministers’ determination to drive through the proposals. Writing in the Financial Times, the chancellor dismisses claims by opponents that the reforms will put the countrysi

Districts eye shared chief for five councils
[Sep 1, 2011, by Ruth Keeling, LGC]

A single chief executive could manage as many as five district councils at one time, the leader of Conservatives in local government has claimed. LGA Conservative group head Gary Porter, who is also leader of South Holland DC and already shares his council’s chief executive with neighbouring Brec

Housing minister to 'get Britain building again'
[Aug 31, 2011, by Helene Mulholland, The Guardian]

The housing minister, Grant Shapps, has admitted that house prices in Britain have become "too unaffordable", following a report warning that the housing market is in crisis as home ownership falls and property prices soar. But the minister insisted that government plans would get "Britain buildi

Councils to trial new finance tool
[Aug 25, 2011, by James Illman, LGC]

Four councils are to pilot innovative arrangements to fund intensive help for families with complex needs, minister for civil society Nick Hurd has announced. Up to £40m could be raised by four social impact bond pilots, launched in Hammersmith & Fulham LBC, Westminster and Birmingham city c

Business rates retention proposals published
[Aug 22, 2011, by James Illman, LGC]

Documents addressing a raft of thorny issues surrounding councils retaining their business rates have been published. The Department for Communities & Local Government has unveiled eight technical papers which senior council figures hope will clarify the implications of a localised business rates sy

PM: 'halt rates for riot hit properties'
[Aug 15, 2011, by James Illman, LGC]

Prime minister David Cameron has announced plans to stop council tax and business rates payments for properties seriously damaged by the riots.

Pickles finds £30m for riot-hit communities
[Aug 15, 2011, by Mark Conrad, The MJ]

Local authorities and businesses affected by the riots will receive financial support from the Government as part of a package of measures to assist communities' recovery.

Big Society Capital opens with £600m
[Jul 29, 2011, by Tom Bawden, The Independent]

The Government's much-vaunted Big Society bank launches with the name Big Society Capital today under the chairmanship of Sir Ronald Cohen, a pioneer of the UK venture capital industry.

Business rates announcement expected today
[Jul 18, 2011, by James Illman, LGC]

Ministers are set to unveil proposals on re-localising business rates to councils today, the Department for Communities & Local Government has confirmed. Communities secretary Eric Pickles is expected to make an oral statement to the House of Commons before publication of a consultation on the

PM to 'end state's monopoly' over public services
[Jul 12, 2011, by Polly Curtis, the Guardian]

David Cameron has unveiled plans to end the era of "old fashioned" delivery of public services by allowing almost all of them to be opened up to competition from the private and voluntary sector.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Join Localis Work in progess Calendar Videos

News Publications Events

The Icing on the Community Cake
by Alex Thomson, Localis (in the MJ)

Strategic Commissioning Is The Future
by Alex Thomson, Localis (on eGov monitor)

Community ownership must be the focus of Miliband’s Labour
by Richard Carr, Localis (on Left Foot Forward)

Neighbourhood planning scheme 'could provide benefits'
by Odgers Berndtson