Eight authorities are now subject to a Best Value Notice - South Cambridgeshire, West of England CA, Bradford, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough CA, Middlesbrough, Eastleigh, Runnymede and Bournemouth.

Seven authorities are also subject to Intervention and two to Inspection.

Though Liverpool City Council has made 'significant improvement', the Government is 'minded to' extend statutory intervention - which was due to come to an end in June. The Government will, however, replace Commissioners with a statutory Assurance and Improvement Board.

An Inspector has been appointed to carry out a Best Value Inspection of Spelthorne Council, given its debt profile.

A Best Value Inspection is the step before Intervention, as set out in the Government's new statutory guidance, published today:
gov.uk/government/pub…

Muncipalities in Japan have been innovative in identifying new sources of revenue - including introducing their well-known Golf Course Tax. However, I wasn't expecting the city of Tajimi to generate income by 'extracting precious metals from cremated human remains':

It's a busy day for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

Alongside Spelthorne, they've now appointed an Inspector to carry out a Best Value Inspection of Warrington Borough Council, given its debt profile.

It's a busy day for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

Alongside Spelthorne, they've now appointed an Inspector to carry out a Best Value Inspection of Warrington Borough Council, given its debt profile.

And today I have learned that English authorities have a similar practice. Stafford donates the income the metals generate to local charities. Since 2013, it has donated £107,000.

Muncipalities in Japan have been innovative in identifying new sources of revenue - including introducing their well-known Golf Course Tax. However, I wasn't expecting the city of Tajimi to generate income by 'extracting precious metals from cremated human remains':

This is an interesting exercise by Hampshire County Council, which needs to address its £132 million shortfall. It has asked thousands of its residents what services it should reduce:

Eight authorities are now subject to a Best Value Notice - South Cambridgeshire, West of England CA, Bradford, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough CA, Middlesbrough, Eastleigh, Runnymede and Bournemouth.

Seven authorities are also subject to Intervention and two to Inspection.

An Inspector has been appointed to carry out a Best Value Inspection of Spelthorne Council, given its debt profile.

A Best Value Inspection is the step before Intervention, as set out in the Government's new statutory guidance, published today:
gov.uk/government/pub…

Though Liverpool City Council has made 'significant improvement', the Government is 'minded to' extend statutory intervention - which was due to come to an end in June. The Government will, however, replace Commissioners with a statutory Assurance and Improvement Board.

Interesting framing from Somerset Council, which is inviting Parish councils to 'explore devolution' with it. That's code for 'handing over assets we can no longer afford to maintain'. I support double-devolution, but this might have negative implications?
somerset.gov.uk/news/local-ser…

This is a bizarre story, but predictably from Thurrock Council. Despite establishing an inquiry in Birmingham, the Government has rejected doing so in Thurrock - despite a cross-party request.
thetimes.co.uk/article/counci…

I don't agree with the Spectator's framing, but there are legitimate questions about (a) the value Police and Crime Commissioners add (b) low turnout at elections and (c) whether proactive action should be taken to ensure existing combined authorities take over their functions.

Over in Canada, the United Conservative Party of Alberta is introducing the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act which will enable its Cabinet to remove Councillors and Mayors at their discretion - with no guardrails - which muncipalities have criticised as a 'power grab'.