Dec 20, 2024

Law Commission issues consultation paper on changes to "fragmented" law on compulsory purchase

The Law Commission has published a consultation paper on compulsory purchase, as part of its review of the current "complex and inaccessible" law on compulsory purchase and compensation.

Dec 20, 2024

Government tells another borough council it will not renew best value notice, but remains concerned about “significant debts”

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has decided not to reissue a best value notice for Runnymede Borough Council after acknowledging its work to implement a set of CIPFA recommendations but remains "concerned" about "significant debt" at the council.

Dec 19, 2024

Ministry decides against reissuing best value notice against borough council despite continued concern at level of debt

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has decided not to reissue Eastleigh Borough Council with a best value notice, but said it remains concerned about the size of the local authority’s debt.

Dec 19, 2024

Government consults on further reforms intended to make compulsory purchase process “faster and more efficient”

The Government has detailed a series of reforms aimed at expanding and simplifying compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) in a consultation launched today (19 December).

Dec 19, 2024

Court of Appeal to hear challenge to order providing anonymity for judges who heard historic family proceedings concerning Sara Sharif

Two journalists have been given permission to appeal an order which prevents the media reporting the names of the judges who were involved in historic family proceedings that related to Sara Sharif.

Dec 19, 2024

Government mulls making local transport authorities responsible for taxi and PHV licensing

The Government is to consult on making all Local Transport Authorities – including ‘Strategic Authorities’ such as combined authorities – responsible for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.

Dec 19, 2024

London borough obtains High Court injunction to stop unauthorised use of green belt land for parking

Hillingdon Council secured a High Court injunction this month to prevent the unauthorised parking of more than 300 vehicles on green belt land in Harlington.

Dec 19, 2024

Court of Appeal rejects appeal by council over designation as local authority in respect of interim care order

The Court of Appeal has criticised litigation between two councils over which of them is responsible for the care of a baby.

Dec 19, 2024

Judges reject appeal by council in dispute over entitlement to right to buy

The London Borough of Hackney has lost a Court of Appeal case over the eligibility for right to buy of a rabbi who occupied a home for only part of the time.

Dec 19, 2024

High Court rejects legal challenge over plan by mayor to remove low traffic neighbourhoods

Campaigners have lost a judicial review case over whether the elected mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets acted correctly in removing low traffic neighbourhoods.

Dec 19, 2024

Landlord wins appeal over HMO licence penalty amid dispute over whether five people lived in property

A landlord has successfully appealed to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) over whether a property he owns has enough occupants to qualify as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) liable for licensing by Cornwall Council.

Dec 18, 2024

Government launches consultation on stricter standards regime

The Government has launched a consultation on wide-ranging reforms to the local government standards system, including reintroducing powers of suspension and widening circumstances in which members can be disqualified.

Dec 18, 2024

Ministry claims no council will see reduction in core spending power under provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, but counties cry foul over “cherry-picking”

The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement will provide £69bn for councils across the country, a real-terms increase of 3.5% from 2024-25, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Dec 18, 2024

Government proposes to streamline “fragmented” local audit system with creation of national body

The Government is to consult on the establishment of a statutory and independent Local Audit Office (LAO) as part of a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England.

Dec 18, 2024

Homes England launches Section 106 affordable housing “clearing service”

Homes England has set up a database of available Section 106 housing opportunities across England, excluding London.

Dec 18, 2024

County council fails in bid to strike out claim by care homes for £200k in fees

The High Court has rejected an application brought by a county council to strike out or for summary judgment in a claim brought by two care homes for payment of almost £200,000 in care home fees.

Dec 18, 2024

Prospect of stronger sanctions in standards cases welcomed but questions raised about proposal for national body

The potential reforms to the standards regime for local government in England outlined in the English Devolution White Paper this week have sparked a mixed response among lawyers, with some welcoming the prospect of greater sanctions and others questioning the need for a national body.

Dec 18, 2024

Local government to have representation on relaunched Net Zero Council

The Government has relaunched the Net Zero Council, which will have representation from local government and civil society for the first time.

Dec 17, 2024

Bus Services Bill to remove ban on councils setting up own bus companies

The ban on local authorities establishing their own bus companies will be lifted under the Bus Services Bill, which was introduced in the House of Lords today (17 December).

Dec 17, 2024

Children not in school registers and unique identifier numbers to be introduced through Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will introduce registers to identify children not in school, and unique identifier numbers for children across services, has been published by Government today (17 December).

Dec 16, 2024

English Devolution White Paper: reaction from the sector

Local Government Lawyer rounds up the reaction from the sector to the English Devolution White Paper published today (16 December).

Dec 16, 2024

English Devolution White Paper confirms major local government reorganisation plans

The Government plans to deliver an "ambitious first wave" of local government reorganisation in this Parliament that will focus on two-tier areas and small or poorly performing unitary councils, according to the English Devolution White Paper published today (16 December).

Dec 16, 2024

The return of Standards Board for England? Government to propose national body for most serious standards cases and appeals

The Government is to consult on the introduction of a national body to deal with the most serious standards cases and appeals “as was the case under the former system with the Standards Board for England”.

Dec 16, 2024

More than 100 organisations call on Government to work with adult social care sector to “mitigate the pressures” on councils, providers and charities

A group of more than 100 organisations has issued a joint statement to the Government, calling on it to work with the adult social care sector to “mitigate the pressures” on councils, providers and charities.

Dec 16, 2024

National park authorities to be given general power of competence

National park authorities are to be handed a general power of competence, “which will clarify their legal framework, removing restrictions which prevent an entrepreneurial approach, and cut through bureaucracy to remove barriers to achieving more for people and nature”, the Government has announced.

Dec 16, 2024

Government shutters Office for Local Government

The Office for Local Government (Oflog) is to be closed, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has confirmed.

Dec 16, 2024

Housing management companies fined £45k after Merseyside council brings prosecutions over lack of selective licence

Sefton Council has secured £45,000 in fines after bringing 10 prosecutions of three housing management companies.

Dec 16, 2024

MPs launch inquiry into creation of public bodies and their governance

A Parliamentary committee has launched an inquiry into the governance and transparency of public bodies and whether the Cabinet Office's guidance on setting up new bodies should be reviewed.

Dec 16, 2024

Report highlights “stark disparity” in preparation for adulthood provision for young people with and without EHC plan

Although local areas are working hard to improve support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a number of “systemic challenges” are limiting their ability to provide strong preparation for adulthood (PfA) arrangements, a report by Ofsted and the Care Quality…

Dec 16, 2024

Glasgow City Council to procure £22m legal services framework

Glasgow City Council has launched the procurement of a multi-lot legal services framework worth an estimated £22m.

Dec 16, 2024

London borough ends legal bid to recover £437k settlement payment made to former chief executive

The London Borough of Croydon will take no further action to seek to recover a settlement payment worth £437,000 made to its former chief executive, Jo Negrini, in 2020.

Dec 13, 2024

CIPFA urges Government to break “destructive cycle” of ‘crisis-cash-repeat’ in adult social care

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has warned that for too long, governments have relied on a “reactive approach” to adult social care funding - a model it describes as ‘crisis-cash-repeat’.

Dec 13, 2024

Croydon still among most financial distressed councils in country but making progress: Minister

Croydon Council is making "significant developments" in its progress towards reform and recovery but remains one of the most financially distressed councils in the country, Local Government Minister Jim McMahon has said.

Dec 12, 2024

Ombudsman calls on council to tackle backlog of benefits cases waiting to be referred to Tribunal

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has urged Luton Borough Council to clear a backlog of 68 benefits appeals that are waiting to be referred to the Social Entitlement Chamber of the First-Tier Tribunal.

Dec 12, 2024

Regulator of Social Housing gives council in Essex lowest possible grade after uncovering “very serious failings”

Castle Point Borough Council has become the second local authority to be handed a C4 grading, the lowest, by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

Dec 12, 2024

City council operating “significantly beyond its means” and “currently far from sustainable” but leadership has grasped reality: Commissioners

Nottingham City Council has been operating “considerably beyond its means”, to the extent that to have continued doing so would have required either a 70% uplift in Government grant funding or a 46% increase in council tax.

Dec 12, 2024

Government announces adoption of revised National Planning Policy Framework aimed at boosting housebuilding

The Government has published its revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), confirming the re-introduction of mandatory housing targets and the introduction of so-called 'Grey Belt' land, alongside new 'golden rules' for building on the Green Belt.

Dec 12, 2024

Court of Protection judge sets out guidance on mental capacity assessments for deaf individuals

A senior Court of Protection judge has outlined a number of considerations that should guide any assessment of a deaf individual fluent in British Sign Language (BSL), after finding that a young man was inaccurately assessed as lacking capacity in all areas.

Dec 12, 2024

Local Government Association adds voice to criticism of proposals to change SEND tribunal procedures

The Local Government Association (LGA) has joined the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) in criticising proposals by the Tribunal Procedure Committee to change the rules on the handling of so-called ‘refusal appeals’, warning that they should not be implemented at a time when…

Dec 12, 2024

Court of Appeal rejects claim for “former relevant child” status

The Court of Appeal has ruled against granting a judicial review of Essex County Council over whether a teenager who might have become homeless was entitled to ‘former relevant child’ status.

Dec 12, 2024

Judges allow appeal by minister over extension of time for service of statutory review claim form following court office delays

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government over a Deputy High Court judge’s decision to extend time for the service of a claim form where the underlying claim was a planning statutory review under s.288 of the Town and Country…

Dec 12, 2024

Judges refuse council permission to appeal “academic” homelessness ruling

The Court of Appeal has ruled that it would be disproportionate to allow the London Borough of Sutton to pursue an appeal that had become academic in a housing case.

Dec 12, 2024

Competition watchdog launches investigation into possible bid-rigging over school improvement contracts

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into suspected bid-rigging in relation to school improvement contracts.

Dec 11, 2024

Select committee to examine effectiveness of council interventions as part of inquiry into local government finance

The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the Government's intervention programme for councils in financial distress as part of an inquiry into local government finance.

Dec 11, 2024

Court of Appeal hands down ruling on restrictions on use of section 73 TCPA

Test Valley Borough Council has lost a case in the Court of Appeal over the use of section 73 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990.

Dec 11, 2024

ICO takes regulatory action against four public authorities over handling of FOI requests

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued an enforcement notice against the City of London Police for Freedom of Information (FOI) failings and made practice recommendations for Staffordshire Police, Dorset Police and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Dec 11, 2024

Meaningful reform to SEND system will be “complex and costly”, warns top think tank

Meaningful reform to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system is likely to require a “significant expansion” of the core SEND provision available in mainstream schools, an expansion of state-funded special school places, a geographic redistribution of funding, and maybe reducing…

Dec 11, 2024

Ombudsman demands social housing providers address “complacency” towards dealing with hazards

The Housing Ombudsman has urged housing providers to improve their response to hazards ahead of the introduction of Awaab’s Law.

Dec 11, 2024

Tesco hit with over £20k in fines and costs after store ignored planning condition on deliveries

Bromley Council has successfully prosecuted supermarket giant Tesco after one of its stores failed to comply with a planning condition that specified it could only make deliveries via a certain road.

Dec 10, 2024

Birmingham on verge of settling equal pay claims

Birmingham City Council has reached a framework agreement with UNISON and GMB to settle historic equal pay claims made by members working for the local authority and Birmingham Children's Trust.

Dec 10, 2024

High Court grants London borough interim injunction banning 'car meets'

Enfield Council has secured an interim injunction prohibiting dangerous ‘car meets', also known as car cruises, in the London borough.

Dec 10, 2024

Special school leaders consider legal challenge over council plans to change SEND provision at group of schools

A group of headteachers of special schools in Kent have asked lawyers to explore launching a judicial review claim against Kent County Council, which is pursuing plans to change the designation and admissions guidance for some of the special schools in the county.

Dec 10, 2024

Council decides not to pursue cases against group of drivers who failed to comply with Public Space Protection Order

Court cases against a number of drivers in Bradford who failed to comply with a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), introduced to take action against anti-social driving, have been dismissed.

Dec 10, 2024

High Court rejects appeal by nightclub operator over revocation of licence

A High Court judge has rejected an appeal against the operator of a nightclub over the revocation of its licence.

Dec 09, 2024

Planning applications that comply with local development plans could “bypass planning committees entirely”, Government proposes

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has unveiled proposals to overhaul the role of planning committees, with changes that could see decisions bypass committees entirely if applications comply with local development plans.

Dec 09, 2024

Government issues guide for public authorities on giving subsidies

The Department for Business and Trade has published a guide for public authorities on assessing whether a subsidy or scheme is consistent with the principles of the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

Dec 09, 2024

Further education group to procure legal services worth £1.8m

Capital City College Group is to procure an agreement for the provision of professional legal services, with a key emphasis on employment tribunal services.

Dec 09, 2024

Information Commissioner to continue with revised public sector approach despite mixed responses to trial

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has announced it will continue with its revised public sector approach (PSA) despite it not being a "straightforward success or failure".

Dec 09, 2024

Sudanese refugee “more likely than not” born in year he claimed, Upper Tribunal judge rules in age assessment dispute

The Upper Tribunal has allowed a Sudanese national’s claim for judicial review and declared him to be a child of 17 years of age, after his age was disputed by the Home Office on the basis of an assessment of his “physical appearance and demeanour”.

Dec 09, 2024

Unitary authority hit with statutory recommendation over audit concerns

Wiltshire Council has expressed disappointment over the "tone" of an external auditor's report that included a statutory recommendation and found "pervasive control weaknesses" at the local authority.

Dec 09, 2024

TLT advises major social landlord on acquisition of affordable homes as part of regeneration project

Law firm TLT has advised SNG (Sovereign Network Group) on its purchase of a number of affordable homes in Brent Cross Town, as part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration project.

Dec 09, 2024

Browne Jacobson advises largest freeport in Wales as it opens for business

Law firm Browne Jacobson has advised Celtic Freeport, the largest freeport in Wales, during the establishment of its governing body, and submission of outline and full business cases to establish special tax sites across 500 hectares of land in South-West Wales.

Dec 09, 2024

Standards sub-committee raps council leader over failure to comply with sanction

A borough council's Standards Committee has found that the council's leader failed to comply with a sanction which called on her to apologise to a staff member.

Dec 06, 2024

Council planning staff arrested over suspected bribery offences

West Yorkshire Police have arrested four Leeds City Council staff members on suspicion of bribery offences.

Dec 06, 2024

Police to take no action at Croydon over historic financial mismanagement

A police investigation into historical financial mismanagement and governance failures at Croydon Council will take no further action despite finding potential wrongdoing, breaches of statutory duty and incompetence.

Dec 06, 2024

Auditor General stresses importance of good governance amid warnings that local government in Wales is financially unsustainable over medium term unless action taken

While councils in Wales generally know the scale of their funding gaps, they do not have longer term plans in place to address them, the Auditor General has warned.

Dec 06, 2024

PM sets target of decisions being taken on 150 major infrastructure projects under streamlined approval process

The Prime Minister has attacked “the nimbys, the regulators, the blockers and bureaucrats…the alliance of naysayers” as he unveiled a target of fast-tracking decisions on 150 major infrastructure projects in this Parliament.

Dec 06, 2024

South of England authorities fire gun on £40m legal services framework

A group of local authorities in the South of England are to procure a framework for legal and advocacy services worth an estimated £40m over four years.

Dec 06, 2024

London borough secures £40k unlawful profit order against tenant who sublet home

Southwark Council has secured an unlawful profit order of nearly £40,000 against a tenant who illegally sublet a property for more than a decade.

Dec 05, 2024

Ofsted warns of “fundamental mismatch” between scale of demand and level of resource in SEND system

Outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are poor with a “fundamental mismatch” between the scale of demand for support and the level of resource, Ofsted has warned.

Dec 05, 2024

Housing Ombudsman accuses G15 housing association of “repeated failings” on repairs, complaints and service charge enquiries

A special investigation by the Housing Ombudsman into social landlord Hyde has found repeated failings in repairs, complaint handling and how the housing association responded to residents’ enquiries about service charges.

Dec 05, 2024

London council secures remediation order against freeholder over dangerous cladding

Tower Hamlets Council has secured a remediation order requiring the owners of a high-rise building to remove dangerous aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding.

Dec 05, 2024

High Court rejects judicial review bid as out of time in case where council consulted residents on wrong street

North Northamptonshire Council “fell well below the standard to be expected” in handling planning applications when it twice confused two separate sites and so failed to properly consult the public on a development.

Dec 05, 2024

Disabled child had to live in unsuitable home far longer than necessary because councils made “catalogue of errors” when adapting home, Ombudsman finds

A child with significant and complex needs had to live in an unsuitable home for far longer than necessary because Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council made a number of errors when adapting a home to their needs, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found.

Dec 05, 2024

Two-thirds of school leaders dissatisfied with existing guidance on supporting SEND pupils, survey finds

Two-thirds of school leaders are “dissatisfied” with existing guidance on supporting SEND pupils, with 68% regarding the creation of a national set of SEND standards as the “biggest priority area” for Government, according to a survey by law firm Browne Jacobson.

Dec 05, 2024

Family President rejects bid by council for change to experts instructed in injury case

The President of the Family Division has rejected a local authority’s application to change the expert witnesses instructed in an injury case, in which a young child sustained a suspected fracture in a context which had “no other indicators” of child abuse.

Dec 05, 2024

Subsidy gap for temporary accommodation threatening financial viability of councils: LGA

Frozen Local Housing Allowance rates have left councils to meet £737.3m in temporary accommodation costs over the past five years that they are unable to claim back from government, the Local Government Association has warned.

Dec 05, 2024

Court of Appeal rejects challenge over refusal by district judge to dismiss prosecution over HMOs used to house asylum seekers

A district judge’s decision in a case over licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) used for asylum seekers must stand despite a legal error, the High Court has found.

Dec 05, 2024

Judge says serious issue to be tried in procurement case against social landlord but lifts automatic suspension

The Technology and Construction Court has refused to end proceedings in a procurement dispute concerning social landlord Orbit Group, which it has said must make some requested disclosures to claimant Robert Heath Heating (RHH).

Dec 05, 2024

Government says it will not enter any more safety valve agreements with councils in financial difficulty over SEND budget

The Department for Education has confirmed that the Government will not enter any more safety valve agreements with councils in financial difficulty over their SEND budget, “pending wider reform of the whole system to prioritise early intervention”.

Dec 04, 2024

Outstanding public law cases down by 2,247 from 2023 to 2024, Family Court annual report reveals

The first annual report recording activity and developments in the Family Court has revealed that the number of outstanding public law cases reduced by 2,247 from 2023 to 2024, following the relaunch of the Public Law Outline (PLO).

Dec 04, 2024

Council report proposes controversial "dismissal and reengagement" scheme

The GMB union has hit out at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council over plans that could see the local authority pursue a "fire and rehire" scheme in an effort to establish a pay structure that complies with equal pay laws.

Dec 04, 2024

Report on ‘Right Care, Right Person’ approach shows capacity limitations for health and social care services

A joint Home Office and Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) report evaluating the implementation of the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach has found that the main barrier to RCRP implementation was identified as “capacity and resourcing limitations” within health and social care.

Dec 04, 2024

Council decision not to designate illegal landfill ‘contaminated land’ to be challenged in High Court

The High Court has agreed to hear a judicial review challenge of Havering Council's decision not to allocate an illegal landfill behind pollution issues and wildfires as 'contaminated land'.

Dec 04, 2024

Ombudsman hits out at “apparent lack of proactivity” from Welsh social landlords in addressing damp and mould issues for residents

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) has issued a call to all public sector and social landlords in Wales to improve their responses to poor housing and complaints of disrepair, after its latest report found “an apparent lack of proactivity” in identifying and tackling those properties…

Dec 03, 2024

Restore legal protections to monitoring officers, report on local government finances urges

Monitoring officers should have legal protections in order to help them challenge potentially risky financial decisions without fearing repercussions, a report on local government financial resilience has said.

Dec 03, 2024

Competition watchdog writes open letter to councils on street furniture contracts and exclusivity clauses

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has written an open letter to local authorities and local transport bodies about street furniture contracts which contain exclusivity clauses with respect to the display of advertising.

Dec 03, 2024

Kensington & Chelsea to commission independent review of culture in response to Grenfell Inquiry phase two report

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is to commission an independent, external review of the culture within the council that will examine questions of discrimination and how residents are treated.

Dec 03, 2024

Councils warn Government over housing targets

The vast majority of councils have expressed concern to the Government about whether its plan to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years is achievable, according to analysis by the BBC of councils’ responses to a consultation exercise carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities…

Dec 03, 2024

Select committee to examine resilience of UK general elections following implementation of Elections Act 2022

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) is to review the administration, process and conduct of the 2024 general election, and how these could be improved for future elections.

Dec 03, 2024

Court to hear claim against council over ownership of £460m bitcoin wallet and access to old landfill where hard drive was dumped in error

A judge will today (3 December) hear a claim against Newport City Council regarding a hard drive containing passwords to a Bitcoin wallet worth more than £460m that was accidentally dumped in a council-run landfill.

Dec 02, 2024

Judge refuses permission for judicial review of age assessment, finding it was carried out in accordance with Welsh Government toolkit

The High Court has refused permission to challenge by way of judicial review an age assessment carried out by social workers employed by a Welsh council, which concluded that the claimant was an adult.

Dec 02, 2024

Councils selected as “early adopters” of high street rental auction powers

Four local authorities in England have been selected as early adopters of high street rental auction powers.

Dec 02, 2024

Landlord behind 15-room unlicensed HMO sentenced

Runnymede Borough Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord who converted a three-bedroom bungalow into a 15-room unlicensed house of multiple occupation (HMO).

Dec 02, 2024

Browne Jacobson advises city council on asset transfer deal

Law firm Browne Jacobson is advising Oxford City Council on boosting its affordable housing stock through a complex asset transfer deal.

Dec 02, 2024

Government targets end of 2029 for completion of remediation of high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding

The Government is to set target dates for unsafe buildings in England to be fixed as part of a new Remediation Acceleration Plan to be unveiled today (2 December).

Dec 02, 2024

Information Commissioner gives advice to local authorities in financial strife

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published guidance on handling freedom of information requests for councils which have issued or are likely to issue a section 114 notice.

Dec 02, 2024

MP calls on Government to establish three unitaries in Lancashire

A Lancashire MP has criticised the current devolution deal for Lancashire and argued that the Government must step in and take a "top-down" approach to local government reorganisation in the county.

Nov 29, 2024

Government to consult in January on increasing legal aid fees for housing cases

The Government is to consult in January 2025 on increasing legal aid fees for those working in the housing and debt sector, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

Nov 29, 2024

Directly elected mayor brings employment tribunal claim against own council

The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, is pursuing an employment tribunal claim against her own local authority, the London Borough of Newham.

Nov 29, 2024

Environment Agency issues closure notice for landfill at heart of long-running odours dispute

A landfill site that is the subject of a legal challenge from Newcastle Under Lyme Council for emitting odorous gasses has been hit with a closure order from the Environment Agency.

Nov 29, 2024

Culture of non-compliance with Public Law Outline in London must change, says senior family law judge

The Family Presiding Judge for London has issued a practice note on adhering to the Public Law Outline in London.

Nov 28, 2024

No local authority will see a reduction in core spending power next year, Minister promises

The Government has said it can guarantee that no local authority will see a reduction in its core spending power in 2025-26, in an announcement detailing the Government's Local Government Finance Settlement.

Nov 28, 2024

Domestic abuse victim wins legal challenge over refusal by council to add her to social housing register

The London Borough of Havering was wrong to refuse housing to a victim of domestic abuse on the basis that she did not meet its residence requirements, the High Court has found.

Nov 28, 2024

Housing Ombudsman accuses London borough of having “defensive” complaint handling culture

The London Borough of Camden has a culture of being defensive in the face of complaints, a special investigation by the Housing Ombudsman has found.

Nov 28, 2024

Family member of deceased secure tenant wins Court of Appeal battle over right to buy

The Court of Appeal has ruled on a case where the exercise of the right to buy a council home was brought into question by the death of a resident.

Nov 28, 2024

London boroughs “unprepared” for PFI expiry amid concerns over resources: report

Many London boroughs are not prepared for the expiry of private finance initiative (PFI) contracts and are hampered by lack of resources in addressing this.

Nov 28, 2024

Welsh council facing renewed judicial review bid over second homes and holiday lets direction

The claimant seeking to bring a judicial review challenge over Gwynedd Council's 'Article 4 Direction’ aimed at curbing second homes and short-term holiday lets has applied for a renewal of their application for permission.

Nov 28, 2024

Judge decides woman lacking capacity should remain in placement in England, rather than move to near family in Scotland

The Court of Protection has decided that a woman who lacks capacity should remain at a placement in North East England rather than return to her native Scotland, despite having close family there.

Nov 28, 2024

Tribunal tells council to reconsider refusal of dog care licence

The London Borough of Ealing has been told by the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) to reconsider a decision to refuse a dog care licence.

Nov 28, 2024

Judges allow appeal by information rights campaigner over right to see submissions made in case he was not party to

Someone who was not a party to a case in the Upper Tribunal can still see written submissions made in it if they have sufficient reason, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Nov 27, 2024

Notting Hill Genesis hit with downgrade to governance rating after inspection finds “serious regulatory concerns”

Major social landlord Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) has seen its governance rating downgraded to ‘G3’ after an inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) found serious regulatory concerns, with significant improvements needed to the provider’s business planning and its control framework.

Nov 27, 2024

Veterans to be exempted from local connection rules on social housing: Minister

All former UK Armed Forces Veterans are to be exempt from any local connection or residency tests for social housing applied by local councils in England, under new regulations that will come into force next month (18 December).

Nov 27, 2024

Civil Justice Council report calls for pre-action protocol on judicial review to require parties to make positions on ADR clear

The pre-action protocol (PAP) for judicial review should be amended to make sure the parties make clear their position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) at an early stage, a report produced for the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has recommended.

Nov 27, 2024

Sixteen “trailblazer” authorities to receive £170m in funding for employment programmes, employment white paper reveals

The Government has promised the "biggest employment reforms in a generation", which include plans to introduce £170m in funding for "trailblazer" employment programmes in 16 selected mayoral authorities, Welsh councils and London boroughs.

Nov 27, 2024

1KBW family law silk appointed as High Court judge

Richard Harrison KC of 1KBW has been appointed a High Court judge, assigned to the Family Division.

Nov 27, 2024

Government launches subsidy control consultation on increasing thresholds, introducing new streamlined routes

The Department for Business and Trade is to consult on refinements to the UK subsidy control regime.

Nov 27, 2024

Fire authority breached constitution over suspension of statutory officer, external auditors say

External auditors have issued two statutory recommendations after finding seven "significant" governance weaknesses at West Midlands Fire Authority, which included breaches of the authority's constitution.

Nov 27, 2024

Greater Manchester establishes Housing Reciprocal across all 10 boroughs for victims of domestic violence

An agreement across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester has been approved so that victims of domestic abuse can be rehomed in suitable housing in any borough.

Nov 26, 2024

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel calls for “national action plan” to tackle child sexual abuse

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has called on the Government to put in place “urgently” a national action plan to protect and support children at risk of sexual abuse, and has urged the President of the Family Division and Cafcass to consider the findings of its independent review.