Local government – parsian news

English town halls face unprecedented rise in bankruptcies, council leaders warn

Grim forecast comes after Nottingham city council became fourth authority in the past 12 months to declare insolvencyThe financial crisis engulfing English local authorities will trigger an unprecedented increase in town hall bankruptcies in the comin…

Grim forecast comes after Nottingham city council became fourth authority in the past 12 months to declare insolvency

The financial crisis engulfing English local authorities will trigger an unprecedented increase in town hall bankruptcies in the coming months, local government leaders have warned, as they prepare to increase council tax bills and impose a fresh round of cuts to services.

The grim forecast, endorsed by council leaders of all political colours, comes days after Labour-run Nottingham city council issued a Section 114 notice to become the fourth authority in the past 12 months – and the eighth in six years – to declare effective insolvency.

Why are so many councils going ‘bankrupt’? – podcast

Nottingham council is the latest to in effect declare itself bankrupt, and one in 10 county councils in England are at risk of following suit. What does it mean for the services that so many people rely on? Jessica Murray reportsIt happened in Woking, …

It happened in Woking, Croydon, Thurrock, Birmingham – and now Nottingham. All over England, local councils are issuing section 114 notices, in effect saying they have gone bust. But what does this mean in terms of the services they provide, and why is it happening?

Jessica Murray is the Guardian’s Midlands correspondent and has been reporting on the pressures councils are facing. Council leaders say austerity has meant the funding they get from central government has been reduced. But the Conservatives claim bad management and risky investment by councillors is to blame.

Tory turmoil hits efforts to fix staffing crisis in adult social care

National Audit Office says political chaos has delayed proposed measures to improve recruitment in EnglandThe government has delayed several key reforms to social care staffing in England due to political chaos caused by the collapse of the Boris Johns…

National Audit Office says political chaos has delayed proposed measures to improve recruitment in England

The government has delayed several key reforms to social care staffing in England due to political chaos caused by the collapse of the Boris Johnson and Liz Truss governments and a Whitehall recruitment freeze, it has emerged.

Work to create new training places and develop the low-paid care workforce was supposed to start in September but has been delayed by at least six months.

Bus drivers’ strike is ‘damaging lives’ in north-east England, says council leader

Go North East pay dispute said to be leaving thousands ‘stuck at home’ and ‘missing work and medical appointments’A bus company has been accused of damaging the daily lives of passengers as people in north-east England are forced to stay at home, missi…

Go North East pay dispute said to be leaving thousands ‘stuck at home’ and ‘missing work and medical appointments’

A bus company has been accused of damaging the daily lives of passengers as people in north-east England are forced to stay at home, missing work, medical appointments and college because of a bitter pay dispute with its drivers.

Martin Gannon, the leader of Gateshead council and chair of the north-east joint transport committee, said what was happening as a result of the Go North East industrial action was “an absolute disgrace”.

Captain Tom’s family lose appeal against demolition of spa complex

Planning Inspectorate says ‘Captain Tom Building’ harms Grade II-listed home where Moore’s daughter and her family liveThe family of Captain Sir Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal against the demolition of an unauthorised spa complex in …

Planning Inspectorate says ‘Captain Tom Building’ harms Grade II-listed home where Moore’s daughter and her family live

The family of Captain Sir Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal against the demolition of an unauthorised spa complex in their garden.

Moore’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband, Colin, appealed against a demolition order by Central Bedfordshire council for what they have called the Captain Tom Building in the grounds of their Bedfordshire home.

Captain Tom’s family lose appeal against demolition of spa complex

Planning Inspectorate says ‘Captain Tom Building’ harms Grade II-listed home where Moore’s daughter and her family liveThe family of Captain Sir Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal for a spa complex in their garden and have been given thr…

Planning Inspectorate says ‘Captain Tom Building’ harms Grade II-listed home where Moore’s daughter and her family live

The family of Captain Sir Tom Moore have lost a planning application appeal for a spa complex in their garden and have been given three months to demolish the structure.

Moore’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, 53, and her husband, Colin, 66, appealed against a demolition order by Central Bedfordshire council for what they have called the Captain Tom Foundation Building in the grounds of their Bedfordshire home.

Just 1% of English councils published audited accounts by deadline

Experts say backlog increases risk of financial irregularities and risky behaviours going undetectedThe early warning system designed to identify English councils in serious financial difficulty is in crisis, with hundreds of local authorities failing …

Experts say backlog increases risk of financial irregularities and risky behaviours going undetected

The early warning system designed to identify English councils in serious financial difficulty is in crisis, with hundreds of local authorities failing to meet the legal deadline to publish audited accounts covering £100bn of public spending.

The vast majority – 99% – of English councils did not have their 2022-23 financial accounts signed off by the deadline this year, which experts say is increasing the risk of financial irregularities and risky behaviours going undetected..

Warrington borough council

Spelthorne borough council

Slough borough council

Scarborough borough council*

Rossendale borough council

Luton borough council

London borough of Tower Hamlets

Harlow district council

Copeland borough council

Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority.

Burnley council leader quits over Starmer’s failure to call for Gaza ceasefire

Afrasiab Anwar, one of 11 councillors to resign, was among those who earlier asked party leader to step downThe leader of Burnley borough council has resigned along with 10 other councillors in protest at Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire …

Afrasiab Anwar, one of 11 councillors to resign, was among those who earlier asked party leader to step down

The leader of Burnley borough council has resigned along with 10 other councillors in protest at Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

Afrasiab Anwar, who has been a member of the party for a decade, was among those who called for the Labour leader to step down last week.