60 seconds with… Councillor Brian Williams
Councillor Brian Williams (Con) is standing down on 1 May, aged 90, having served on six councils since 1960. He is currently Vice Chairman of Shropshire Council and Chair of its Audit Committee.
The Editorial Team
Social housing finances ‘impacting housebuilding’
The financial strain on social housing across England could lead to government housebuilding targets not being met, according to a new LGA survey.
Half of councils warn of insolvency over SEND
More than half of councils in England that support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will become insolvent when a temporary accounting measure that keeps SEND-related deficits off their main balance sheets ends next year.
‘Free’ bus passes costing councils £452m
Councils had to spend nearly half a billion pounds last year to plug a shortfall in funding for free bus passes.
Councils ‘face £8bn funding gap’
Councils in England should be a major driver to boost local growth over the coming years, but could face a funding gap of more than £8 billion by 2028/29 without adequate funding, the LGA has warned.
£76m gap in temporary accommodation budgets
Changes in the allocation of the Homelessness Prevention Grant mean that councils are facing a £76 million shortfall in their temporary accommodation budgets, the LGA has warned.
Local government finances becoming ‘unsustainable’
Council finances in England are becoming unsustainable because of increasing demand on essential frontline services, the impact of delayed finance reform, and the erosion of investment in preventative programmes.
Government accepts Grenfell recommendations
Tough new rules on construction product safety, a new single construction regulator, and stronger protections for social housing tenants are among the building and fire safety reforms set out by the Government in its response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.