Local Enterprise

Business growth in areas which have a long-standing dearth of inward investment and high levels of unemployment shortage has been boosted by the announcement of the second round of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.

ODPM press release

Council Tax

The Council Tax (New Valuation Lists For England) Bill has received Royal Assent. The Act formalises in legislation the postponement of council tax revaluation in England, which the Government announced last September. It removes the current statutory requirement in the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for there to be a revaluation of domestic properties, in England, for council tax purposes on 1 April 2007, and then at intervals of not more than 10 years.

ODPM press release

Planning

In the fourth quarter of 2005, district planning authorities in England received 147 thousand applications for planning permission and other related consents.

ODPM press release

Fifty nine Local Planning Authorities that were previously poor performers on planning have turned the corner by meeting their development control targets.

ODPM press release

Local Area Agreements

The ODPM report Local Area Agreements - Guidance for Round Three and Refresh of Rounds One and Two can be downloaded here (PDF).

Details of a further 26 funding streams to be automatically pooled in Local Area Agreements (LAAs) from 2007/08 have been confirmed.

ODPM press release

Sustainable Communities

The speech by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott MP to the 'Sustainable Communities: Vision into Reality' conference can be read here.

Urban Design

The ODPM report Design Coding in Practice: An Evaluation can be downloaded here (PDF).

London Policing

The One London Party has called for the Mayor to stop making false claims that his opponents on the London Assembly are against the introduction of neighbourhood police teams.

One London press release

Human Resources

Alone among Britain’s political parties, the One London Party has consistently pointed out the European dimension to the recent public sector pension dispute.

One London press release

London Olympics

As the work gets underway for the 2012 Olympic and paralypmic Games an Ipsos MORI poll for the Greater London Authority has found that 74 per cent of Londoners believe that the Olympics will be good for London.

GLA press release

London Mayor

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London has announced that he will be backing the Dean of Southwark in taking legal action against Southwark Council.

GLA press release

Congestion Charge

One of the most influential newspapers in the United States, the New York Times, has backed calls that the United States Embassy in London should pay the central London congestion charge.

GLA press release

Housing

Housing associations are celebrating after persuading the government to ensure that affordable rural housing is preserved for future generations.

NHF press release

Planning and Environment

Guidance on how the planning system can help preserve and enhance England's most valuable habitats was launched by Planning Minister, Baroness Kay Andrews. Planning for Biodiversity and Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice can be downloaded here (PDF).

ODPM press release

Local Government Reorganisation

Conservative leader David Cameron MP will deliver a speech on local government to local councillors in Coventry, highlighting ill-conceived government plans to restructure councils which will take decisions further away from local people and alienate voters.

Conservative Party press release

Anti-Social Behaviour

Local authorities in England and Wales are continuing to take action against anti-social behaviour, according to the latest set of quarterly ASBO statistics published.

Home Office press release
Conservative Party press release
Labour Party press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Social Exclusion

The speech by Communities and Local Government Minister David Miliband MP, 'The fight against fate: closing the gap in life chances', can be read here.

Light Rail

Launching a new brochure on 'what modern trams can do for cities', Britain’s largest bloc of tram promoters – TfL and pteg – have reaffirmed their commitment to developing and promoting tram schemes.

pteg press release

London Policing

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has responded to claims from members of the London Assembly about funding for expansion of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams to every London community.

GLA press release
Greater London Labour Party press release

Planning

The speech by ODPM Minister Baroness Andrews to the Planning Inspectors Conference 2006 can be read here.

Sustainable Communities

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report Sustainable Housing: A Follow-up Report can be downloaded here (PDF).

ODPM statement
Conservative Party press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Property Strategies

The ODPM report Community Management and Ownership of Assets: Final Report from the Work Group to the Neighbourhoods Project Board can be downloaded here (PDF).

Fire Authorities

The FiReControl Governance Arrangements: Consultation on Detailed Proposals can be downloaded here (PDF).

London Regeneration

Residents of the Thames Gateway are set to benefit from a funding boost of around £15 million for transport to support new homes, as announced by Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman MP and Minister for Housing and Planning Yvette Cooper MP.

ODPM press release

Housing and Planning

Housing and Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper MP, has announced final allocations for a £135 million cash injection in to the planning system, with the latest allocation of the Planning Delivery Grant. The final allocations can be downloaded here (Excel) while The Planning Delivery Grant Determination 2006 can be downloaded here (PDF).

ODPM press release

Partnerships

An academy which has demonstrated the benefits of businesses and public organisations working together to improve deprived areas has been boosted by a further two-year grant from the government. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has granted the Partnership Academy, a part of Business in the Community, £230,000 spread over two years.

ODPM press release

Fire and Rescue Service

Fire Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP has announced that ODPM has let a contract for a new multi-million pound digital radio communications system that will help provide a modern more resilient Fire and Rescue Service fit to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

ODPM press release

Local Environment

The LGA briefing on the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 - commencement of measures can be downloaded here (PDF).

Defra press release

Performance

In its local authority overview report for 2005, the Accounts Commission says that Scotland’s councils are facing major challenges and calls on them to further increase their pace of change and improvement. Overview of the local authority audits 2005 can be downloaded here (PDF).

Audit Scotland press release
Cosla press release

Social Care

Social care for older people in England will require sharp increases in funding to meet the demand for high quality care over the next two decades, according to the findings of a major review commissioned by the King’s Fund and led by former NatWest Group Chief Executive, Sir Derek Wanless. Securing Good Care for Older People can be downloaded in summary here and in full here (both PDF).

King's Fund press release
DH press release
CSCI press release
GCSC press release
LGA press release
Cosla press release
Conservative Party press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Legal

Councils must "strike a balance between public safety and public outrage" if they are to avoid further instances of what some have seen as "official vandalism" in trying to ensure public safety in graveyards, the Local Government Ombudsman has said. The report can be downloaded here (PDF).

Local Government Ombudsmen press release

Rural Communities

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, which creates two new organisations charged with conserving and enhancing England's valuable natural environment and giving a stronger voice to rural communities, has received Royal Assent.

Defra press release

London Olympics

The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill has received Royal Assent and become an Act of Parliament.

DCMS press release

London Housing

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has awarded a contract to develop the first phase of the London Accessible Housing Register.

GLA press release

Housing

Housing association efficiency gains have contributed to a 33% increase in the number of new affordable homes to be built in 2006-2008.

NHF press release

Human Resources

Local Government Employers (LGE) has been launched at the SOCPO conference. LGE has been created by the LGA to work with authorities, stakeholders and partners to lead, create and deliver solutions on pay, pensions and employment issues.

LGE press release

e-Government

The ODPM's Transformational Local Government: Discussion paper can be downloaded here (doc).

Housing

There have been substantial improvements since 1996 in the living conditions of social tenants and vulnerable households in the private sector according to the 2004 English House Condition Survey. English House Condition Survey - 2004 Headline Report can be downloaded here (PDF).

ODPM press release

Children's Services

The LGA briefing on the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill at its Lords second reading can be downloaded here (PDF).

London Olympics

Council leaders are urging areas outside London to capitalise on the benefits the Olympic Games will bring or risk losing out 'to the tune of £2.8bn'. Getting on track: how local authorities can maximise the benefits of London 2012 can be downloaded here (PDF).

LGA press release

Housing and Environment

New proposals to drive up water efficiency in new and existing homes will be the focus of a consultation to be issued this Summer.

ODPM press release
Defra press release

Housing

Details of how the new Shared Equity Taskforce plans to extend the opportunities for young people to get a first step on the housing ladder have been unveiled.

ODPM press release
Conservative Party press release

Environmental Sustainability

A package of measures to increase carbon savings through the planning system and through the work of local authorities has been announced as part of the government’s Climate Change Programme Review. The UK Climate Change Programme 2006 can be downloaded here (PDF).

ODPM press release
Defra press release
RTPI press release (PDF)
TCPA press release
Conservative Party press release
Labour Party press release

Neighbourhood Governance

The future of service delivery to neighbourhoods is at a crucial turning point. Government, councils and service providers are facing a “make or break” moment, according to an independent report.

ODPM press release

Alternative Approaches to Neighbourhood Management: 6 Full Case Study Reports can be downloaded here.

Research Report 27: Alternative Approaches to Neighbourhood Management - 7 Case Study summaries can be downloaded here.

Research Report 26 - Summary: Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Programme Baseline Report can be downloaded here.

Research Report 25: Rolling Out Neighbourhood Management can be downloaded here.

Research Report 23 - Summary: Neighbourhood Management – at the Turning Point? can be downloaded here.

Research Report 23: Neighbourhood Management – at the Turning Point? can be downloaded here.

Research Report 22 - The National Evaluation of Single Local Management Centres can be downloaded here.

(all files PDF)

Planning and Sustainability

Barker Review of Land Use Planning: Call for evidence - A response from the Sustainable Development Commission can be downloaded here (PDF).

Community Safety

David Cameron MP accompanied by Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis MP, and Shadow ODPM Secretary, Caroline Spelman MP, have highlighted how the design of housing estates can radically affect the local crime rate.

Conservative Party press release

Social Exclusion

The speech by Local Government Minister Phil Woolas MP, ''Providing opportunity and support to young adults with complex needs', can be read here.

Culture and Leisure

A summary by the LGA outlining the findings of a survey of local authorities on the impact of the Spending Review 2004 on spending on cultural services, Cultural spending: the impact of Spending Review 2004 can be downloaded here (PDF).

Research

The LGA research bulletin for March 2006 can be downloaded here (PDF).

Human Resources

Ahead of the scheduled strike action, the Local Government Association has warned that changes proposed by unions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) would add at least 2% a year to every council taxpayer's bill.

ODPM statement
Scottish Executive press release
LGA press release
Cosla press release
Conservative Party press release 1
Conservative Party press release 2
Liberal Democrats press release

Community Safety

The LGA's briefing on the Violent Crime Reduction Bill for its Lords Second Reading can be downloaded here (PDF).

Social Exclusion

The speech 'Tackling exclusion among older people and new opportunities and challenges for older people services' by ODPM Minister Baroness Andrews at the Age Concern London/ Bridge House Trust "Approaching Funding Wisely" conference, can be read here.

Local Government Reorganisation

Debate on local government reform has been opened further with the launch of a new web forum.

ODPM press release

Social Care

A new report by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Real voices, real choices - the qualities people expect from care services, sets out the issues that matter most to people who use care services and can be downloaded here (PDF).

CSCI press release

London Transport

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and former England and Arsenal goalkeeper, David Seaman, have unveiled major improvements at Wembley Park Tube Station to support the new Wembley Stadium and the wider regeneration of the Wembley area and to bring further benefits to local residents.

GLA press release
Greater London Labour Party press release

Education

The LGA's briefing on the Education & Inspections Bill for its Commons Committee Stage can be downloaded here (PDF).

Better Government for Older People

Public services often fail to consider the special needs of older people, according to a new report jointly published by the Audit Commission, the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Living well in later life can be downloaded in summary here and in full here (both PDF).

Audit Commission press release
DH press release
Healthcare Commission press release
CSCI press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Council Tax

The average council tax set by local authorities in England for 2006-07 for a Band D dwelling (occupied by two adults, including parish precepts) will be £1,268, compared with £1,214 in 2005-06. This equates to an average increase in council tax between 2005-06 and 2006-07 of 4.5 per cent.

ODPM press release
LGA press release
Conservative Party press release 1
Conservative Party press release 2
Greater London Labour Party press release
Labour Party press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Ten successive years of above inflation grant increases from Government - and a continued threat of tough capping action - have led to one of the lowest council tax increases in over a decade, Local Government Minister Phil Woolas has announced. However Mr Woolas has also announced today that two local authorities have been "designated" with a view to in-year capping: these are York City Council and Medway Borough Council.

ODPM press release
LGA press release

The Oral statement to Parliament by Phil Woolas MP can be read here.

LGA

The LGA's comments on Department for Transport consultation on release of vehicle keeper data from the UK vehicle registers can be downloaded here (PDF).

Housing

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper MP is to unveil more help for first time buyers alongside plans to deliver more homes that our next generation needs.

ODPM press release

Municipal Waste

The amount of municipal waste being sent to landfill has been cut by a million tonnes during 2004/05, new provisional national statistics show.

Defra press release
Defra statistical release
LGA press release
Liberal Democrats press release

Inspection

Procedures for reviewing and auditing child protection cases, health assessments for looked after children, some reduction in the rates of offending by children and young people and work to promote healthy lifestyles in schools are some of the strengths of many local authority children’s services identified in a new report published today by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Annual performance assessment (APA): Local authority children’s services 2005 - Report on outcomes can be downloaded here (PDF).

Ofsted press release

Housing and Planning

The Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott MP has announced a further £482m of investment to regenerate some of England's most run down estates.

ODPM press release
NHF press release
Labour Party press release

London Transport

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has welcomed proposed alterations to the Crossrail tunnelling strategy produced by Cross London Rail Links (CLRL), which would greatly reduce disruption caused by Crossrail's construction.

GLA press release
Greater London Labour Party press release

London Regeneration

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has given his backing to the redevelopment of King's Cross Central which will see the comprehensive regeneration of one of the London’s most deprived and blighted areas surrounding this major international transport hub.

GLA press release

London Governance

"Is there a future for regional government?" is the question that London Assembly Member, Bob Neill, will help the Commons Select Committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister answer on Monday.

GLA press release

e-Government

Local authority sponsorship of the Government Connect programme is to migrate from Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council to the North West e-Government Group, under the sponsorship of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Minister for Local e-Gov Jim Fitzpatrick MP has announced.

ODPM press release

Environment

The LGA would like the government and national organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to recognise and support the role of local authority leadership in achieving far-reaching environmental improvements.

A wider strategic role for councils in improving WATER management can be downloaded here.

A wider strategic role for councils in improving biodiversity can be downloaded here.

Housing

Audit Scotland's report into council housing transfers has been published, focusing on those which have taken place since 1998 including Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway and Borders. Council housing transfers can be downloaded in summary here and in full here (both files PDF).

Audit Scotland press release (PDF)
Scottish Executive press release