There has been some initial inaccurate reporting in a number of outlets that a High Court order today ruled the government cannot proceed with potential postponements to some local elections in areas undergoing reorganisation. This is entirely wrong and misleading. …
There has been continued speculation in the media about the potential number of areas that may have their local elections postponed this May. To be clear: no decisions have been taken. Councils had until 23:59 tonight (15 January) to submit …
Yesterday, the government announced that English councils undergoing reorganisation have been invited to give views on postponing their local elections next May. This follows multiple councils approaching the department and requesting delays, noting that upcoming elections could undermine their plans …
Today, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced planned reforms to provide local authorities with powers to clean up local politics. This responds to the challenges local authorities have faced since the Localism Act in 2011, which has …
In June we opened a consultation on the Fair Funding Review 2.0 which set out our proposals to fix the outdated way local authorities are funded to make it fairer and fit for the future, so local leaders can deliver …
There has been media reporting that some local authorities will increase council tax because of the government's Fair Funding Review 2.0. The current, outdated way in which local authorities are funded means the link between funding and need for services …
Recent media reporting has criticised the government for allowing councils to sell allotment spaces. Allotments are a valuable and important community resource, and there are strict criteria in place to protect them. These rules on sales of assets have been in …
Following the introduction of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in Parliament, there has been ongoing positive coverage across national and regional media. LBC ran a comment piece from the Deputy Prime Minister, where she outlined how the Bill …
There has been reporting that councils will increase council tax by 5% in coming years as a result of the Spending Review. To safeguard residents against excessive hikes, the Spending Review confirmed the government intends to maintain the referendum threshold …
There has been prominent coverage in the past few weeks of council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes, including in The Daily Telegraph which is campaigning against the measure. The government is determined to fix the housing …