Members
Housing and planning round-up January 2020
January’s housing and planning round-up includes news about licensing private landlords, homelessness figures, barriers to house building and right to buy sales.
England & Wales, Scotland
Briefings
Swift Read: Innovation in Politics Awards 2019
This year, the Innovation in Politics Awards for the best political projects from all over Europe were presented in Berlin. 80 finalists and eight winners in eight categories were selected, and Ireland was well-represented in terms of submissions and selected finalists. This Swift Read presents LGiU’s coverage of the award ceremony and insights into the…
Ireland
Members
Swift Read: The rough sleeping initiative
An analysis of the rough sleeping initiative (RSI) by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published late last year, concluded that a UK government initiative to reduce rough sleeping in England led to a significant fall in the number of people sleeping rough in areas that received funding in 2017-18.
England & Wales
Members
Further freedom? Possible extensions to the FOISA
This briefing explains which bodies and functions are subject to the Freedom of Information Act Scotland and how an extension of the act might be applied, covering the factors likely to be taken into account during consideration. It is likely to be of interest to local government officers working in the areas of Freedom of…
Scotland
Members
In Conversation With: Ten years of Gold School Meals in East Ayrshire Council with Andrew Kennedy
East Ayrshire Council’s (EAC) Andrew Kennedy talks to LGiU’s Kim Fellows about the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) certification scheme aimed at improving school meals in Scotland. The gold award for school meals was given to pupils in 31 certified primary schools and 16 nurseries daily in EAC, 3,600 of which are free school…
Global, Scotland
Members
Brexit Update – January 2020
This briefing updates members on the Brexit timeline over the next few months, legislation going through parliament and some key issues for UK local government and the devolved administrations.
England & Wales, Scotland
Members
University technical colleges – NAO report
The National Audit Office has reported on the Government initiative in England to improve technical education by establishing separate educational institutions – University Technical Colleges (UTCs) – for 14 to 19-year olds. A key finding is that the 48 UTCs in January 2019 were operating at 45% capacity on average.
England & Wales
Members
The financial performance of local authorities between 2013 and 2015
This briefing is part of a series reviewing the reports of the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC). This briefing provides an overview of the findings of NOAC’s 8th national report which examines the financial performance of local authorities between the years 2013 and 2015.
Ireland
Members
Rural bus services
This briefing looks at rural buses and what was promised by the Conservative Party in the 2019 General Election to support the bus network outside cities and metropolitan areas.
England & Wales, Scotland
Members
Accounts Commission’s Financial Overview 2018/19: Straining to keep pace with demand?
The Accounts Commission’s Financial Overview 2018/19 was published in December 2019. The report is published annually and examines Scottish councils’ budgets and spending, analysing their financial position and commenting on their financial outlook for the years ahead. This briefing looks at the issues identified in each section of the report and summarises the key findings,…
Scotland