Cull of council ‘non-jobs’ could ‘spare services’

By Peter Wozniak Radical cuts in local government spending need not damage frontline services if councils cull unnecessary jobs, according to the Taxpayers’ Alliance. A report by the organisation blamed central government interference for the creation of thousands of jobs with no frontline role. Political advisors, european officers, diversity officers and climate change officers were […]

Pickles turns down the radiators

By politics.co.uk staff Eric Pickles has jumped on a proposal to save taxpayers’ money by turning down the heating in his government department. Officials at the Department for Communities and Local Government may have to consider wearing an extra layer to work as the proposal is introduced on a trial basis. “The whole country has […]

Pickles plots cull of council papers

By Peter Wozniak Money allotted for free council newspapers may become a victim of government austerity, Eric Pickles has announced. The papers will be restricted to publishing only four times a year while the hiring of lobbyists to work on them will be clamped down on, under proposals by the local government secretary. “The rules […]

Council tax will not be re-valued before 2015

By Peter Wozniak There will be no re-valuation of council tax bands in England within the life of this parliament, the government has promised. It had been feared that a re-valuation possibly adding hundreds of pounds to people’s council tax bills would be enacted as a way of recouping funds for the government amidst the […]

Acrimony lingers over Audit Commission demise

By Alex Stevenson Eric Pickles has defended his decision to scrap the Audit Commission, telling the Commons the local government spending watchdog made “errors of judgement”. Nearly a month has passed since news of the Commission’s fate was revealed, but the communities and local government secretary was summoned to the despatch box by Labour MPs […]

Outdated laws join the scrap heap

By Peter Wozniak A host of outdated local laws are set the join the scrapheap of legislation the coalition government is prepared to eliminate. The antique legislation could be axed under government proposals to permit English local authorities to abolish by-laws without first getting the green light from ministers in Whitehall. The plans devolve the […]

Pickles’ new enemy: Street signs

By politics.co.uk staff Eric Pickles has found a new enemy in his bid to bring common-sense to Britain: street signs. The communities secretary, who is well known as a jovial and memorable figure in the Conservative party, said the prevalence of signs was making towns and villages less attractive. “Our streets are losing their English […]

The German who claimed asylum: Councils reveal their weirdest calls

By Ian Dunt From residents asking if they can roll up zebra crossings to requests to register the death of living people, local councils have published their weirdest requests from residents. The list – an attempt to introduce the public to how many varied and bizarre demands are placed on local councils in the course […]

Bitter Audit Commission sees irony in its demise

By Alex Stevenson The Audit Commission’s chairman has seen the irony in Eric Pickles’ decision to axe his organisation. Michael O’Higgins said it was ironic that local authorities were being given extra responsibilities precisely because the Audit Commission’s oversight had helped them improve their performance. His barbed message came after communities secretary Eric Pickles confirmed […]

Council tax ‘vetoes’ on offer

By politics.co.uk staff Members of the public could block council tax increases under proposals unveiled by the coalition government. A consultation published by the Department for Communities and Local Government today outlines plans to hand capping powers on council tax, currently held by ministers, to local people. If council tax rises hit a pre-determined ceiling, […]