The evolving role of the local authority: Local Authority Action Research (LAAR) project interim report
This interim report, Action research into the evolving role of the local authority, explores how local authorities are adapting to the increasingly autonomous school system and how they are approaching key elements of their role.
Enterprise Zones: one year on
The 2011 Budget announced the creation of Enterprise Zones (EZs) across England: geographically bounded areas which would be eligible for specific financial, regulatory and infrastructural incentives to encourage investment from businesses and promote growth. Since then, 24 EZs have been established in phases, closely linked to the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) which now cover virtually…
Should local government borrow its way to growth?
This article was first published by Total Politics. George Osborne’s third Budget has created a bit more of a stir than one might have expected given that it was in many ways a steady as it goes Budget: a “stability first” Budget as the Chancellor labelled it. For local government there was some meat there,…
National Planning Policy Framework
Andrew Ross wonders if the newly published NPPF will make planning as neat and tidy as the government has claimed.
Welfare Reform Act 2012
The Welfare Reform Act 2012 has been highly controversial. While the broad thrust of Universal Credit has been welcomed – simplifying a complicated benefits system and easing the transition into work – many of the specifics of the new benefit, particularly in relation to Housing Benefit, have received a lot of criticism. It is worth…
Making the reform agenda work: Changes to Benefits
Changes in housing benefit payments will take effect in April 2012. The universal credit will be introduced in October 2013. Both will have a significant effect on your residents. Our seminar will explore how you can prepare for these changes. In addition, we will consider the wider changes to the social fund, the disability living allowance (DLA) and the…
Making the reform agenda work: Planning
This seminar will provide delegates with an opportunity to understand what the regulations in the NPPF mean for planning decisions, how councils are working with neighbourhood forums to develop local and neighbourhood plans and what the implications of both sets of regulations are for development and regeneration.
Using Neighbourhood Agreements to build strong and active communities at a time of austerity
Building strong and active communities has never been more important as local government budgets come under severe pressure. Modelled around ‘Neighbourhood Agreements’, this seminar offers delegates a tried and tested strategy for delivering accountable public services at community level and a way of fostering greater local volunteering and civic responsibility. The seminar will draw on national…
Making the reform agenda work: Health and Social Care Act
This seminar will provide delegates with an opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of the new legislation as enacted; find out how HWBs can drive integration of health and local government; and hear how authorities are managing the transition to public health.
Welfare Reform Act 2012
*The Welfare Reform Act puts into law one of the government’s flagship bills, which ministers claim marks the biggest overhaul of the benefits system since the 1940s. * This briefing explains the key components of the Act, including the merging of several benefits into Universal Credit, significant changes to Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance,…
