Permitted development is being extended to make it easier for developers to turn non-residential buildings into housing, while existing homes should become more energy efficient, with £50 million promised to social landlords. Read more planning and housing news here.
This briefing looks at household organic waste management: the size of the problem, how local governments are working to divert organic waste from landfill, and the supporting infrastructure and services required to make smarter use of organic waste.
In this Swift Read we examine briefly the environmental, social and financial cases for local government divestment from fossil fuels, before looking at steps that councillors and officers can take to support a green shift in pension fund portfolios.
A recent report has examined Ethnic Minority Representation in UK local government. The report found that there is a lack of scrutiny of equal access to local government, creating a potential for reinforcing racial inequality. This briefing will be of interest to councillors and officers who work in democratic services.
Covid-19 has exposed weaknesses in how we care for older people and raised uncomfortable questions about the value placed on senior lives. The health, economic and social impacts on older people need to be better understood and addressed by policy makers and service providers, including local councils.
This briefing outlines the key recommendations recently made by the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery to Scottish Government. These recommendations are detailed in a recent report outlining the steps needed to safeguard a fair and sustainable economic recovery from Covid-19.
Ecological connectivity is a measure of an animal’s ability to move freely across the landscape to access food, shelter or a suitable mate. This case study looks at the Ecological Connectivity Framework developed by the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub, in partnership with the City of Melbourne and partners.
The mission title ‘Housing for All’ leads into the section on housing policy in the new Programme for Government. It is highly aspirational, though short on detail and giving little away regarding cost. This briefing provides an initial overview of highlights and the overall direction of policy.
The UK government’s funding package for the arts was widely welcomed. As well as support for a sector threatened by Covid-19, how can it enable the arts and heritage to play a wider civic role in driving social and economic recovery in communities, town centres and high streets?
What are the overall legal and best practice requirements for local government finance and budgeting, and their potential application in light of Covid-19? This briefing has been updated in the light of the new funding package for councils announced on the 2 July 2020.