High Court dismisses cycle lane judicial review on all grounds
An application for judicial review and an interim injunction against Coventry City Council's plans to chop down 26 trees to build a cycleway has been refused by the High Court.
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Land Registry to accelerate Local Land Charges programme
The Land Registry has committed to accelerating the Local Land Charges (LLC) programme, which is aimed at standardising and migrating LLC data away from local authorities onto one central register.
Former Liverpool mayor charged with bribery and misconduct in public office
Liverpool City Council's former Mayor, Joe Anderson, has been charged with one count of bribery, one count of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, Merseyside Police have confirmed.
Large unitary councils “essential” and could save £1.8bn: County Councils Network
Establishing unitary councils covering 500,000 or more people is "absolutely essential" and could save almost £2bn over five years, the County Councils’ Network (CCN) has said.
Rachel McKoy elected to local government seat on Law Society Council
Rachel McKoy, Director of Law & Governance at the London Boroughs of Newham and Havering, has won the election to the vacant local government seat on the Law Society Council.
Council commissions legal advice over leak of information following confidential briefing of members
Police could be called into Harborough District Council after a draft local plan was leaked days before it was set to be discussed in public, the council's leader is reported to have said.
4-5 Gray’s Inn Square adds further six employment barristers
A further six barristers specialising in employment law are to join 4-5 Gray's Inn Square, it has been confirmed. The new arrivals are: Richard O’Dair (1988 call) Raoul Downey (1988 call) Terence Finn (1995 call) Sheila Aly (2002 call), Lorraine Mensah (1997 call) Anna Loutfi (2019 call) and Jimmy…
Minister “reassured” by improvements at borough council
A local government minister has said she is "reassured" by Woking Borough Council's commitment to achieving the objectives set out by its Commissioners and which will see a radical overhaul of the local authority's operation, but has echoed concerns about the council's capacity to deliver change.
Court of Appeal rejects appeal over permanent exclusion, warns undue focus on public sector equality duty may risk “over-legalising” decision-making process
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal brought on behalf of a 15-year-old boy, rejecting the submission that the decision to permanently exclude him from school was unlawful because the headteacher “failed to comply with the public sector equality duty (PSED)”.
High Court judge says children who crossed Channel in boat can be returned to France pending determination of their asylum claims
A judge has ruled that the operation of immigration and asylum law no longer prevents the High Court from implementing a decision to return a child to another State before their asylum claim here has been determined by the Home Secretary, provided that the “general principle of non-refoulement” is…
Minister acknowledges “significant steps forward” at Thurrock including on governance, but warns of need for changes to be embedded
It is clear that Thurrock Council is working hard to meet its Best Value Duty and it is positive to see a corporate plan and conclusion of a governance review, “both significant steps forward”, a Government minister has said.
Just one in 10 councils believe they have been adequately involved in reorganisation plans: report
Senior local government figures have expressed serious concerns about reorganisation in responses to a Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) survey that revealed only one in 10 believe they have been adequately involved.
Union vows to fight ‘fire and rehire’ threat issued to 800 council staff
Devon County Council has threatened to "fire and rehire" more than 800 staff after union members rejected the council's proposal to change the terms and conditions of a car users' allowance it offers to some staff.
High Court judge gives permission to bring legal challenge against Welsh council over Article 4 direction on holiday homes
A local objector to Gwynedd Council’s policy on planning for holiday homes has won the right to take the authority to judicial review after a judge said he was “just persuaded” this was the right course.
Public spaces protection order regulating unauthorised mooring on riverbank quashed on appeal
A dispute about the use of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to ban unauthorised mooring on part of the River Thames has seen a claimant win on one ground of irrationality but lose on 14 others.
Judge rejects challenge over failure of council to allocate claimant into Band 1 of housing allocation scheme amid complaints over ASB by neighbours
An applicant has lost an attempt to require the London Borough of Lewisham to rehouse him and his family because of anti-social behaviour by neighbours.
Government decides against renewing best value notice for mayoral combined authority
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has decided not to reissue a best value notice for the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) in light of a number of improvements, including better relationships within the authority.
Council wins appeal over when housing duty ended after claimant refused private rented sector offer
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a woman cannot take the London Borough of Waltham Forest to judicial review in a dispute over whether the council discharged its main housing duty towards her.
Upper Tribunal considers ‘building fabric’ and lift maintenance in long-running service charge dispute between housing association and assured tenants
A dispute at the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) over the liability of some tenants of housing association Notting Hill Genesis to pay for certain services has been only partly resolved.
Government intervenes after council with one of oldest local plans in the country rejects draft
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued an intervention notice directing South Tyneside Council to submit its existing draft local plan for examination, following a decision by councillors to reject a draft plan last week.
Welsh Language Commissioner names three firms to legal services framework
Comisiynydd y Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Commissioner, has appointed three law firms to a framework agreement for legal advice.
Judicial review threat halts city council plan to fell street trees
The High Court will this week hear a claim against Coventry City Council over the local authority's plans to fell 26 road-side trees in order to install a new cycleway.
Company at centre of series of legal disputes over foul odours at landfill site enters liquidation
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council's leader has expressed frustration after a landfill operator embroiled in litigation over foul odours emanating from a site has entered into creditors voluntary liquidation.
New neighbourhood boards in 75 areas to be given share of £1.5bn funding for local projects over next decade
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced plans to establish 75 'neighbourhood boards' with powers to decide on how to spend up to £20m in funding in their areas.
Upper Tribunal judge allows appeal by mother in EHCP case over pagination issues, criticises First Tier Tribunal for “putting off” issues for later
The Upper Tribunal has allowed a mother’s appeal concerning the Education Health and Care (EHC) Plans of her two children, after finding a “procedural irregularity” in respect of pagination issues in the court bundle.
Four in five school leaders experienced abuse in past year, says union
A report by school leaders’ union NAHT has revealed that more than four in five (82%) school leaders say they have been abused by parents in the past year, leaving some considering “quitting the profession they love”.
Disclosure and Barring Service entitled to come to different conclusion than Teachers Regulation Agency, Court of Appeal rules
The Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed a former teacher’s appeal against a finding by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) that he had developed an “inappropriate relationship” with a pupil - and therefore would be precluded from being a teacher - despite a separate TRA disciplinary…
Cornerstone appoints Hawes as new Senior Clerk
Cornerstone Barristers has appointed Julian Hawes, former Director of Business Development at the International Arbitration Centre (IAC), as its new Senior Clerk.
Eight specialist employment law barristers join 4-5
4-5 Gray’s Inn Square has strengthened its employment law offering with the arrival of eight barristers.
Tributes paid to planning barrister Jonathan Easton KC
Tributes have been paid to leading planning and public law barrister Jonathan Easton KC, who passed away at the weekend.
Government to bring “feudal” leasehold to an end, reinvigorate use of commonhold
The Government has issued a white paper setting out its plans to ban the sale of new leasehold flats and make commonhold the default tenure in England and Wales.
Council failures led to loss of educational provision for autistic child, Ombudsman finds
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found fault by Slough Borough Council in failing to secure all the special educational provision on a child’s Education, Health and Care Plan over a 10-month period.
Outer Temple Chambers silk named High Court judge, assigned to Family Division
John McKendrick KC has been appointed as a judge of the High Court, assigned to the Family Division.
High Court rejects application by teenage boy to return to UK from boarding school in Ghana
A High Court judge has rejected an application brought by a 14-year-old boy to make himself a ward of the High Court and for an order that he be returned to the jurisdiction of England and Wales from the Republic of Ghana, where he has been living as a boarding school pupil and with extended family.
Whole government response essential to financial sustainability across local government: National Audit Office
The National Audit Office (NAO) has recommended a whole-system, cross-government approach to ensure local authorities' financial sustainability amid planned local government funding and service reforms and the upcoming spending review.
Local Government Association backs power to suspend councillors but warns it must not be default punishment
The Local Government Association has backed proposals to provide for a wider range of meaningful sanctions to deal with extreme or persistent breaches of a council's code of conduct, including the ability to suspend councillors for a period of up to six months "where this is appropriate".
Court of Appeal judge failed to undertake “necessary holistic review” when approving care plan to remove child from mother
The Court of Appeal has allowed a mother’s appeal against a judge’s decision to approve a care plan to remove her child to be placed with her paternal grandparents, finding that the Family Court judge failed to undertake a “necessary holistic review” when conducting her final analysis and reaching…
ICO raps two Scottish councils for “repeated” failures to respond to subject access requests within legal timeframe
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued reprimands to Glasgow City Council and the City of Edinburgh Council for failing to respond to requests for personal information within the legal timeframe, leading to a “significant backlog” of requests.
Amendment to Mental Health Bill proposes extending human rights protections to those receiving contracted-out care
Law reform charity JUSTICE is backing an amendment to the Mental Health Bill which would extend human rights protections for those receiving contracted-out mental health care or treatment, including publicly funded after-care under section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983
Stick to "ambition" of preparing and adopting local plans within 30 months, Ministry tells local planning authorities
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has told planning authorities and other stakeholders “to focus energy and resources on working with the government to deliver the ambition of local plans and minerals and waste plans that are routinely prepared and adopted in 30 months”.
London borough discontinues claim against county council in long-running SEND and social care dispute
Croydon Council has discontinued a judicial review claim brought against Surrey County Council following a dispute between the authorities over a family with high social care and special educational needs (SEN) costs.
Deliberate deception should be offence for Senedd politicians and election candidates, says standards committee
The law in Wales should be strengthened to prevent and punish politicians and election candidates who deliberately lie, the Senedd's Standards of Conduct Committee has said.
Eligible children waited more than eight months for education support plan update from North West council, Ombudsman finds
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found that nearly 60% of eligible Tameside children waited more than eight months for an education support plan update, with the council “routinely” taking too long to complete reviews of the support it offers to children and…
Government decides against reissuing best value notice for Yorkshire council
The Government has decided not to reissue a non-statutory Best Value Notice handed to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council last year, in light of improvements in the relationship between the local authority and a children's services trust.
Suspension an “essential tool” for holding members to account: LLG
Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) has called for the introduction of a mandatory Code of Conduct for councils and voiced support for powers to suspend members in its response to the Government's consultation on standards reforms.
Ofsted urges councils to improve support for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, after research finds few are offered access to advocates
Ofsted has set out a series of steps for local authorities to take to improve their support for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, after fewer than one in ten said they had been offered access to an independent advocate to help them understand their rights.
Government to bring in single construction regulator, new legal duty of candour for public bodies after accepting Grenfell inquiry report recommendations in full
The Government has accepted all 58 recommendations in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report, and will introduce a new single construction regulator “to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account”.
Licensing membership bodies to merge in April
The proposed merger between the Institute of Licensing (IoL) and National Association of Licensing and Enforcement Officers (NALEO) is to be effective from 1 April 2025.
Latest judgments from Regulator of Social Housing see second and third councils handed top consumer standards grade
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has released its latest round of regulatory judgements, in which two local authority landlords, West Lancashire Borough Council and City of Westminster Council, received C1 gradings.
Judicial review claims by councils rise but permissions drop, says report
The number of judicial review claims brought by local authorities has risen steadily since 2021, but permissions have fallen, a report from law firm Burges Salmon has found.
Family President publishes guidance for judges on writing to children in family court proceedings
The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has issued guidance for family judges on when, how and why to write to children in family court proceedings.
Ombudsman sets out common failings of landlords when it comes to inspections following damp and mould complaints
The Housing Ombudsman has analysed four common failings of social landlords in a report on inspections and knowledge management within damp and mould complaints.
Stay of proceedings agreed in £40m compensation claim brought by Thurrock against 23 councils
A multi-million pound claim brought by Thurrock Council against 23 member councils of the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) has been paused following an agreement between the parties to stay proceedings.
Bevan Brittan advises joint waste partnership on multi-million pound contract extension
Law firm Bevan Brittan has advised the East Sussex Joint Waste Partnership – which consists of Hastings Borough, Rother District and Wealden District councils – on a seven-year extension and variation with Biffa related to services including waste collection, street and beach cleansing.
Insulation company banned by Royal borough from projects after being named in Grenfell Tower Inquiry seeks judicial review
An insulation manufacturer has launched a judicial review challenge against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's decision to exclude the company from council building projects over claims the firm was implicated in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Borough council to procure £400k legal services framework
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is to procure a legal services framework to act as an extension to its in-house legal team.
Crown Commercial Service to procure £820m Legal Panel for Government
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has issued a contract notice on its proposed procurement of a Legal Panel for Government.
Crime and Policing Bill to include offences of child criminal exploitation and cuckooing
The Government is to include a ban on ‘cuckooing’ and a standalone offence of child criminal exploitation (CCE) in its Crime and Policing Bill, which is to be introduced in Parliament in the next week.
District and boroughs "extremely disappointed" over county council plan for reorganisation
Councils in Leicestershire are at odds over reorganisation plans, with a set of district and borough councils alongside Rutland County Council hitting out at Leicestershire County Council's proposal to create a single unitary authority for the whole county.
Social landlord finds more than 800 errors in records on high-risk properties and asbestos
A review by social housing provider One Housing has discovered more than 800 entries of incorrect asbestos risk data.
Rates for counsel undertaking work for central government to go up by a quarter from April
Rates for the Attorney General’s civil panel counsel are to be increased by 25% for all work carried out from 1 April 2025, the Treasury Solicitor has announced.
Four lawyers in running for vacant local government seat on Law Society Council
Four candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for the vacant local government seat on the Law Society Council.
Council facing legal threat over management of rare dune habitat
Wirral Council has been threatened with a legal challenge over the potential clearing of rare saltmarsh and dune habitats.
Auditors highlight poor oversight and reporting at city council over troubled IT programme
External auditors reporting on Birmingham City Council's implementation of its Oracle system have highlighted a culture where "either bad news was not welcome, or officers felt uncomfortable to communicate bad news".
Church diocese threatens council with legal challenge over school closures decision
The Diocese of Portsmouth has sent a ‘letter before claim’ to Isle of Wight Council over the proposed closure of three Church of England (CofE) primary schools on the island.
LGA expresses “serious reservations” about Government approaches to national scheme of delegation for decision-making in planning system
The Local Government Association has said that in principle, a national scheme of delegation could be supported to drive clarity and consistency across planning committees and to improve speed and efficiencies in decision-making for local authorities.
CIPFA sets out five principles of reform for “broken” SEND system
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has set out five key principles for reform to England’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system for children and young people.
City council names five firms to £1.67m legal services framework
City of Doncaster Council has appointed five firms to a legal services framework estimated to be worth £1.67m.
City council and procurement group to set up 27-lot flexible purchasing system for legal services worth up to £1bn
Bristol City Council and procurement solutions provider Constellia are to establish a flexible purchasing system for legal services – dubbed "Agora Legal" – that will be made available for use by all UK public sector bodies.
Governance handbook published to assist members of national park authorities in Wales
The Welsh Government has published a governance handbook for members of national park authorities to help them make effective decisions.
Thirty councils to receive Exceptional Financial Support in 2025-26
The Government has agreed in principle to provide Exceptional Financial Support In the financial year 2025-26 to 30 councils who made a request for financial assistance "to handle pressures that they considered unmanageable and to enable them to set balanced budgets".
Government consults on powers for local authorities to regulate supported housing providers
The Government has launched a consultation on a licensing scheme for supported housing as well as a new duty on local authorities to produce 'supported housing strategies', as part of a crackdown on “rogue” providers.
City council cuts savings target by £15m, credits boost in Government funding
The City of Wolverhampton Council has partly credited the bump in Government funding for plans to cut the local authority’s savings target by almost half over the next two years.
Senior judge issues warning to would-be parents over commercial foreign surrogacy arrangements
The President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, has put would-be parents of any age who are contemplating entering into a commercial foreign surrogacy arrangement on notice that the courts in England and Wales may refuse to grant an adoption order, with the result that the child that…
Ombudsman issues learning report for councils on fostering services
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has today (20 February) published a focus report on councils’ fostering services in England, which demonstrates what can and has gone wrong in the cases it has investigated.
Street racing injunction to be reviewed by High Court
The High Court will next week conduct a review hearing of an injunction banning street racing in the Black Country.
City council set to eliminate need for exceptional financial support after transformation savings and increase in government funding
Southampton City Council has said it can now balance its budget without taking Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Government, although it hopes to use some unused EFS from 2024/25 to cover the costs of equal pay, transformation and restructuring.
Judges reject appeal over whether protective duty had arisen in school exclusion case where pupil was vulnerable to child criminal exploitation
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal over a High Court judge’s finding that the protective duty under Article 4 of the European Court of Human Rights had not been triggered at the time when a governing body’s disciplinary panel decided not to reinstate a pupil following his permanent…
Court of Appeal dismisses appeal over reasoning given by Upper Tribunal in age assessment case
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by a Sudanese national that the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) failed to give adequate reasons for accepting an age assessment made by West Berkshire Council.
Electoral administrators call for review of all existing electoral law and production of single Electoral Administration Act
The Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) has issued a wide-ranging report on electoral reform in the UK, containing some 57 recommendations, and warned that elections are being delivered in spite of “fragmented and outdated” legislation.
Landlord ordered to pay £37k after housing 18 tenants in three-bed home converted into bedsits
A landlord has been ordered to pay £37,000 in fines and costs after he was found to be housing 18 tenants, including children and infants, in a home in Edgware originally built as a three-bedroom linked terrace house.
Wiltshire Council to ditch appeal against employment tribunal judgment
Wiltshire Council is to withdraw an appeal against a finding by an Employment Tribunal that an email sent by the local authority’s chief executive to union members ahead of a vote on industrial action was unlawful as it sought to deter union members from voting in favour of a strike.
More than half of councils that support children with SEND warn of potential insolvency if “statutory override” runs out
More than half of councils that support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have warned they will become insolvent when the “statutory override” – a temporary accounting measure that keeps spending deficits relating to SEND off their main balance sheets – ends next year,…
Campaign group secures permission to apply for judicial review over redevelopment of former golf course in Wimbledon
A Planning Court judge has given campaign group Save Wimbledon Park (SWP) permission to bring a legal challenge over the Mayor of London’s decision to grant planning permission for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC)’s proposed redevelopment of the former Wimbledon Park golf course.
Judge grants city council possession order over square with homeless camp
Manchester City Council can proceed with evictions at a tent encampment in St Peter’s Square, a judge has ruled.
Consultations launched for six areas in Devolution Priority Programme
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched consultations for the six areas selected for its Devolution Priority Programme.
Office of the Public Guardian revises guidance on Court of Protection visitors
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has revised its guidance on Court of Protection visitors, their role in preparing reports and when reports may be released.
University to tender for retainers for legal services worth £1.75m
The University of Hertfordshire is conducting a tender exercise to set up retainers with a range of bidders for the provision of legal services estimated to be worth up to £1.75m.
Hugh James expands commercial team with partner hire
Law firm Hugh James has hired Liz Fletcher, a specialist in procurement, commercial and technology contract matters, as a partner in its commercial team.
Man who pretended to work for Greggs convicted of defrauding council out of small businesses grants during Covid
A man has been found guilty of defrauding Leeds City Council out of more than £710,000 which was meant to support small businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic.
City of London Corporation threatened with judicial review over decision to approve demolition and redevelopment at site it owns
The City of London Corporation is facing a potential judicial review of its decision to approve the demolition of the former Museum of London and Bastion House and redevelopment of the site into three office buildings.
Council defends appeal by taxi driver over refusal of licence because of 2012 caution
A former taxi driver has failed in an appeal over Buckinghamshire Council’s decision to refuse to grant him a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence due to a caution he received in 2012 for sexual assault.
Campaigners threaten legal action over transfer of care homes to private sector
A group campaigning to stop two council-run dementia care homes being transferred to the private sector have threatened legal action against Kirklees Council, accusing the authority of failing to follow a “recognised consultation".
Introduce sanctions if developers fail to build within certain time frame of securing planning permission, says think tank
The Government should explore the introduction of new laws to force developers to build within a certain time frame of securing planning permission, or face sanctions, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has suggested.
Charities and grassroots campaign group issue guide on how to appeal community protection notices
Liberty, Streets Kitchen and the Museum of Homelessness have published a new guide setting out how individuals can appeal a Community Protection Notice (CPNs) if they are issued one.
Councils warn of “impossible choices” without urgent action in Spending Review amid concern over potential £8bn funding gap
Councils in England face a funding gap of more than £8 billion by 2028/29 without adequate funding, the Local Government Association has warned in its submission to the Treasury ahead of the Spending Review.
Senior Court of Protection judge approves adapted checklist for assessing capacity after case highlights different approaches between social workers and clinicians
The Vice President of the Court of Protection has allowed an appeal against final declarations regarding the residence and care of a vulnerable man, observing an “evidential divide” on capacity between the clinicians and social workers.
Irwin Mitchell bolsters Manchester Court of Protection team with partner hire
Law firm Irwin Mitchell has added Georgina Garner as a partner in its Court of Protection team in Manchester.
Accounting watchdog opens investigation into two ex-employees of borough council
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has confirmed that it has opened an investigation regarding the conduct of two individual accountants in relation to Woking Borough Council’s operations and investment activities.
Tributes paid to “licensing lawyer’s licensing lawyer” Charles Holland
Tributes have been paid to Charles Holland, a leading licensing barrister who has died following a short illness.
Government issues National Procurement Policy Statement, unveils plans to tackle "rip-off" frameworks
The Government has published its long-awaited National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) which sets out eight actions contracting authorities should take “to return public procurement back into the service of the country and working people”.
More than 100 sites in England submitted for consideration as new towns
More than 100 sites across England have been put forward for consideration to be part of the next generation of new towns, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has said.
Tribunal dismisses appeal against refusal of FOI request for legal advice held by external law firm in relation to CPO inquiry two decades ago
The First-Tier Tribunal has dismissed an appeal by a requester over documents held by an external law firm that advised Sheffield City Council on a CPO inquiry for a proposed redevelopment nearly 20 years ago.
High Court judge rejects legal challenge by council over Ombudsman report in nursery fees case
The High Court has dismissed a council’s application for judicial review against the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) over a report that upheld a complaint of maladministration against the local authority in a nursery school fees case.
Government to inject £350m in Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is to inject £300m into the Affordable Homes Programme and £50m into the Local Authority Housing Fund.
School employee wins Court of Appeal battle over dismissal for Facebook posts on teaching of “gender fluidity”
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal from a Christian school employee who was dismissed because she posted messages on her personal Facebook account opposing the teaching in schools, and in particular primary schools, of “gender fluidity” and that same-sex marriage is equivalent to marriage…
Judge quashes grant of planning permission for extension of holiday park over failure to give adequate reasons
The Planning Court has quashed the grant of planning permission for a multi-million pound extension of a caravan park, following a legal challenge brought by local residents.
Council asks police to examine objections to rugby club planning application
A council has made a referral to the police amid concerns that objections to a planning application for a new sports facility may not have been made by the person whose name was registered to the objection.
Welsh regional body concedes procurement challenge over £40m contract award for demolition of power station
Cardiff Capital Region has conceded liability, causation and sufficiently serious breach in a procurement challenge to the award of a £40 million contract for the demolition of Aberthaw Power Station.
Provisions to treat unaccompanied asylum seekers as adults if they refuse scientific age assessments to be scrapped
Provisions that would see unaccompanied asylum seekers treated as adults if they refused a scientific age assessment without “reasonable grounds” are set to be scrapped by Government.
Report calls for proactive, strategic approach to risk management in councils
Risk management should be embedded within local authorities' organisational structure and culture by establishing clear roles, responsibilities and reporting lines for this function, a report by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and Browne Jacobson has suggested.
Government issues AI Playbook to support public sector understand what AI can and cannot do
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has published an AI Playbook, setting out ten principles civil servants should uphold when using AI.
Government pursues digitalisation drive as part of plans to streamline conveyancing process
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has unveiled plans to modernise the way the conveyancing process works, in order to bring down current delays of almost five months and cut 'fall-throughs'.
Ombudsman issues guide for local authorities on handling complaints about adult social care
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has launched a new guide setting out how local authorities in England should handle complaints about adult social care, based on the Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints Regulations 2009.
Supreme Court to hear key case next week on ‘appropriate assessment’ and subsequent approvals
The Supreme Court will next week consider whether Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (“the Habitats Regulations”) require an ‘appropriate assessment’ to be undertaken for subsequent approvals after the grant of outline planning permission at a further consent…
Tell landlord first about need for repairs, council says, after tenant ordered to pay £8k in costs after failed disrepair claim
City of York Council has called on tenants to report repairs to their landlord first, after a judge at York County Court last month ordered an unsuccessful disrepair claimant to pay almost £8,000 in costs.
University to procure £1.5m legal services framework
The University of Exeter is to procure a legal services framework worth an estimated £1.5m.
Minister urges councils not to submit competing reorganisation plans as Government issues statutory invitation to two-tier areas to develop unitary proposals
The Ministry for Housing, Local Government and Communities has urged councils set to embark on reorganisation to make "every effort to work together" to submit a single proposal to the Government rather than competing proposals.
CND threatens council with legal action over alleged failure to comply with Civil Contingencies Act in relation to storage of nuclear weapons at airbase
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) has sent a pre-action protocol letter to Suffolk County Council and a letter to the Ministry of Defence, highlighting concerns over the potential stationing of nuclear weapons at an RAF base in Lakenheath.
Council must address conflict of interests in wholly owned company: External auditors
Spelthorne Borough Council has carried out a review after external auditors called on it to "urgently" assess the governance and oversight of a wholly owned subsidiary company, having found conflicts of interest connected to the company's staffing.
Government confirms introduction of ‘Awaab’s Law’ in phases from October 2025
A law to force social landlords to investigate and fix hazards within a set timescale will be introduced in phases from October 2025, the Government has announced.
Unitary launches legal bid over Government decision to pull rural services delivery grant
North Yorkshire Council has issued a pre-action protocol letter over the Government's decision to rescind the rural services delivery grant worth millions, a move the unitary authority had previously dubbed "Rayner's rural robbery".
District to adopt Code of Practice on Good Governance following LGA report
East Hertfordshire District Council is set to adopt the Code of Practice on Good Governance after a report prepared by the Local Government Association (LGA) referred to "breakdowns" at the statutory officer level.