Labour councils weak stance on evicting “neighbours from hell”
As I noted recently, the Government is giving councils and housing associations more power to evict those who have engaged… Read more »
EU directive hampers councils regulating sex shops
Westminster City Council is challenging the interpretation of an EU directive 2006/123/EC which is making it harder to act against… Read more »
Pickles boosts English language tuition
When I go canvassing I usually encounter at least one person who doesn't speak English. I'm never qute sure how… Read more »
Couple seeking to adopt asked: “How many times a week do you have sex?”
Birmingham City Council have published a survey of adoption applicants. There are some sensible recommendations on some of the criticisms… Read more »
Labour failing the One Nation test in Barking and Dagenham
Cllr Ralph Baldwin, of Barking and Dagenham Council, says his council is aloof from those it is supposed to serve… Read more »
Labour’s smear campaign against Stephen Greenhalgh
The Metropolitan Police is embarking on an era of the most radical reform since it was founded in 1829. There… Read more »
Labour propose legal challenge to defend councillor pension subsidy
The Local Government Chronicle reports (£) that Labour council leaders are demanding a Judicial Review to defend subsidied councillor pensions…. Read more »
The Tory councils planning a Council Tax rise
First the good news. A Sunday Telegraph survey finds that five Conservative councils are proposing Council Tax cuts in the… Read more »
New free school opens in Herefordshire
Usually we talk about schools being state schools or fee-paying schools. However St Mary's Church of England primary school in… Read more »
Councillors allowances should be abolished not increased
The Labour MP Clive Betts, who is "Chair" of the Communities and Local Government Committee, has taken to the airwaves… Read more »
Academy schools are breaking down social segregation not fueling it
Where there are bad state schools those who can afford to (even if they are Labour voters, even if it… Read more »
Met reform is policing model
Peter Walker welcomes Stephen Greenhalgh's reforms to London policing There was a clear link between two items of news in… Read more »
Hammersmith and Fulham cutting Council Tax by 3%
I'm delighted to report that my own council of Hammersmith and Fulham is cutting Council Tax in the coming financial… Read more »
Labour MP asks: “What is a sock puppet?”
Labour MPs are still sniping at the Department for Communities and Local Governmet's 50 ways to save: Examples of sensible… Read more »
What Eric did over Christmas
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has offered the following update to Parliament: Helping hard-working families with council tax… Read more »