Capsticks makes record number of promotions across firm
Capsticks has announced a record number of promotions at the firm, after promoting 47 people across its legal and business service teams.
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County council to pay more than £13k for EHC plan failures
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has found Cambridgeshire County Council at fault for its delays in reviewing a boy’s EHC Plan, its failure to consider provision for adulthood and its failure to provide educational support.
Council did not appear to conduct competitive procurement exercises for £500k social media payments, director of legal says
An investigation into £500,000 worth of payments made by Essex County Council for social media campaigns has been unable to find what the selection process was like for awarding the work or whether there was a competitive process involved.
ADSO welcomes draft Code of Practice on Good Governance for Statutory Officers, calls for Monitoring Officer role to be renamed
The Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) has voiced support for LLG, CIPFA and SOLACE's proposed Code of Practice on Good Governance for Statutory Officers and has called for the monitoring officer role to be renamed in legislation 'Chief Governance Officer'.
High Court orders demolition of woodland buildings constructed in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
A man has been ordered to demolish two woodland buildings he constructed on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, following a High Court injunction secured by Wiltshire Council.
Residents who lost their homes due to fire launch High Court claim against developer and housing association
Fifty victims of a fire in south-west London in 2019 have this month issued a High Court claim against Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) housing association and house builder St James.
“Disproportionately” high rates of children in care in the North, report finds
Children in the North are at greater risk of entering care compared to their southern counterparts, a new study has revealed.
Muneer vows to put LLG “front and centre” in local government legal and governance sphere
Aneeka Muneer has vowed to place LLG “front and centre in the local government legal and governance sphere”, after being appointed President of the organisation at its annual general meeting this week.
Appellant wins High Court dispute over right to buy council flat
A rabbi who mostly lived away from his council flat was still entitled to buy it from the London Borough of Hackney since the council could not establish that his main place of residence was elsewhere.
Councils express concern at unintended impact of Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill on LGPS
The Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill gives “significant concerns about the effects the current drafting will have on the operation of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LGPS)”, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Asylum seeker obtains court order against council for interim accommodation
Barristers chambers Garden Court has gained a High Court order requiring an unnamed council to secure suitable interim accommodation under section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996 for an asylum seeker.
Council wins Court of Protection appeal over ruling on capacity of 20-year-old man
The Court of Protection has allowed an unnamed local authority’s appeal against a court decision that a 20-year-old man, ZZ, has capacity to make decisions about residence, engage in sexual relations and marriage.
Ghuman named Director of Law and Governance – Monitoring Officer at Slough
Slough Borough Council has appointed Sukhdave Ghuman as Director of Law and Governance – Monitoring Officer.
DHSC issues call for evidence as part of review of statutory duty of candour for health and social care providers in England
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a call for evidence on the operation of the statutory duty of candour for health and social care providers in England, following concerns raised in the Government’s response to the Hillsborough disaster report in December 2023.
Three in five social landlords make changes following Ombudsman report on noise complaints
The Housing Ombudsman has hailed the response of many social landlords to its October 2022 Spotlight report on noise complaints, saying that 60% of landlords who responded had self-assessed against its recommendations and were implementing an action plan.
High Court upholds prohibition by school on prayer rituals
The High Court has dismissed a secondary school pupil’s challenge over the lawfulness of a policy at her London school to prohibit prayer rituals for all of its pupils.
Levelling Up Committee chair questions Gove over two-year-long wait for response to Ombudsman review
The Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, Clive Betts MP, has written to the Government about its lack of response to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Triennial Review, which was published more than two years ago.
Judge expresses regret at ending of pilot and disbanding of team behind only Family Drug and Alcohol Court in Wales
A circuit judge sitting in the Family Court has expressed his “obvious regret” that funding could not be secured for the Cardiff and Vale Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) Pilot to be extended, noting the “clear implications” for families and professionals involved in cases still before the…
Top public law silk stood down from independent review at Welsh ombudsman over Labour links
James Goudie KC will no longer conduct an independent review into social media posts made by an officer at the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales after concerns were voiced about the barrister's ties to the Labour party.
Oflog remit should be extended to local government audit, CIPFA CEO suggests
The chief executive of CIPFA, Rob Whiteman, has said Government plans for Oflog will leave the new body with a "limited scope" and has suggested the regulator would be better placed as system leader for local government audit.
Council proposals to cut respite services put on hold following threat of legal action
The parents of a disabled child have successfully halted Derbyshire County Council’s proposals to cut respite services in the local area, after threatening to launch legal action.
Information watchdog publishes guidance on transparency in health and social care
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new guidance to “improve transparency” in health and social care.
Judges allow appeal over flawed reasoning in fact-finding judgment
The Court of Appeal have allowed a challenge by the parents of a young girl to a finding made in care proceedings that, when she was a small baby, she suffered an abusive head injury inflicted by one or other of the parents.
Supreme Court hears appeals over reporting restriction orders in withdrawal of treatment cases
The Supreme Court is this week hearing an appeal over the discharge of reporting restriction orders (RROs) protecting the identity of medical professionals involved in the care of patients in respect of whom an application to withdraw treatment had been made.
Councils placed 706 children in unregulated homes in 2022-23, report finds
Hundreds of vulnerable children in England are being sent to homes not registered with Ofsted every year because of a “chronic shortage” of places in secure local authority units, an investigation by The Observer has revealed.
High Court gives green light to challenge to "overreaching” local energy efficiency standards guidance
The High Court has agreed to hear a judicial review claim challenging guidance from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that puts limitations on how councils should set local energy efficiency standards for housing that go beyond national regulations.
Concerns over violence and threatening behaviour sees robing pilot introduced for judges in Central Family Court
Judges sitting at the Central Family Court will wear robes during proceedings from this week (15 April 2024), in a pilot intended to explore the impact of increased formality in family courts.
Council loses appeal over FOI request for names of those who submitted consultation responses as part of their public-facing roles
Cambridgeshire County Council must release the names of individuals in a public-facing role, including councillors and officials, who submitted consultation responses on behalf of stakeholder groups, despite a promise in the consultation document that said the local authority would not publish any…
Councils call for permitted development rights to be urgently revoked
There is "no place in the current or future planning system for permitted development (PD) rights", in particular those which permit the creation of new homes, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Devonshires bolsters housing development team with double partner hire
Law firm Devonshires has strengthened its Real Estate and Projects team with two new partner hires.
Council chief executive named as third commissioner sent into Nottingham
The Chief Executive of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Sharon Kemp, has been selected as the third commissioner to be appointed to Nottingham City Council.
Information watchdog seeks views on accuracy of generative AI models in third call for evidence
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has today (12 April) launched the latest instalment in its consultation series examining how data protection law applies to the development and use of generative AI.
Landlord who harassed local government legal staff member found in contempt of court
A large-scale landlord in Kent, Fergus Wilson, has been found in contempt of court after breaching a final injunction order that sought to stop him from harassing staff at Ashford Borough Council.
City council must reveal names of councillors summonsed to court over council tax arrears, information watchdog finds
Liverpool City Council must reveal the identities of two councillors who have received a court summons over council tax arrears, a decision notice from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has concluded.
Council possession claim rejected after it dismissed long-term homosexual partner of tenant as friend in succession case
Islington Council has been ordered to pay costs after the dismissal of possession proceedings it brought against a tenant that the council did not consider was in a homosexual relationship with the former tenant, who had passed away.
Judge urges police to “carefully consider” position and role of Family Court when determining bail conditions
The High Court has ruled that a family court judge was in a “much better position” than the Police to determine whether unsupervised contact with a child could be appropriately managed.
Council readies itself for legal action over long-running quarry odour dispute
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is preparing legal action against the operators of a quarry site for alleged breaches of an abatement notice, which was aimed at reducing gasses emanating from the site.
Judge rejects challenge to decision by Assistant Coroner not to hold Article 2 inquest into death of woman in fire at home
The High Court has rejected a judicial review challenge to an assistant coroner's decision not to hold an Article 2 inquest examining whether two public bodies had any responsibility for a woman’s death.
High Court dismisses procurement challenge over rejection of bid for non-compliance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) did not act improperly when it exclude a non-compliant bid from a tender process, the Technology and Construction Court has found.
Judge rejects claim planning inspector dealt with application in procedurally unfair way
The Planning Inspectorate acted properly in rejecting an application for a solar park because of concerns that archaeology below the site had not been adequately assessed, the High Court has ruled.
Regulator fines auditors over local authority pension fund failures
Audit firm Grant Thornton must pay a £40,000 penalty after the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) found failures in its audit of an unnamed local authority’s pension fund.
Minister intervenes to halt permit approvals for waste incinerators
A rarely used Whitehall intervention has seen all permit approvals for new waste incinerators halted until at least 24 May, including one that is the subject of a threatened judicial review by a council.
BDB Pitmans hires public law and commercial litigation specialist
Public law and commercial litigation lawyer Oliver Wright has joined BDB Pitmans as a partner.
Government consults on new Locally-led Urban Development Corporation model
The Government has launched a consultation on the Locally-led Urban Development Corporation (LUDC) model.
Leading social housing junior joins Cornerstone Barristers
Victoria Osler, a specialist in property, housing and public law, has joined Cornerstone Barristers.
Chartered Institute of Housing and councils back plans for Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing but question timing, resourcing
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have welcomed the Government’s proposed standard for the competence and conduct of social housing staff, but called for changes to the timetable for its implementation.
Disabled claimant loses judicial review challenge over alleged inaction by council in addressing noise and smells
A woman with a heightened sensitivity or hypersensitivity to noise and to smell has lost a judicial review in the High Court after Mr Justice Murray decided there was nothing more the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) could reasonably have done to relieve the situation.
Council chief executive sent unlawful email to union members, tribunal concludes
An email sent by Wiltshire Council's chief executive to union members ahead of a vote on industrial action was unlawful as it sought to deter members from voting in favour of a strike, an Employment Tribunal has found.
Lack of funding for local authorities to enforce regulations may ‘embolden’ unscrupulous pet breeders to flout rules, says select committee
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee has called for a list of licensed pet breeders to be made public, noting that more than half of the puppies entering the market come from unlicensed breeders.
Council prosecution secures £90,000 fine and costs in go-kart death case
A Barking and Dagenham Council prosecution has seen a go kart company ordered to pay almost £120,000 over an accident that saw a driver strangled by her own clothing.
Sharratts bolsters Development Team with hire of affordable housing specialist as partner
Law firm Sharratts has bolstered its Development Team with the hire of Kevin Edwards as a partner.
Social housing and planning lawyers promoted to partner in latest promotions round at Winckworth Sherwood
Law firm Winckworth Sherwood has promoted Liam Hale in its Social Housing team and Matt Steinbrecher in its Planning Law team to partner.
Homes England should have stronger relationships with councils, review says
Homes England should have "even stronger relationships" with local government in order to boost housing delivery, a Government review of the non-departmental body has found.
Ombudsman names eight landlords in new approach to highlighting and sharing learning from severe maladministration
The Housing Ombudsman has published its first ‘learning from severe maladministration’ report, featuring cases on discrimination, staff conduct and a lack of adjustments due to vulnerabilities.
Consultation launched to establish how to reform law of apologies in civil proceedings
The Government has this week (8 April) launched a consultation on clarifying the law to encourage organisations to apologise to those who have been wronged.
Seven in eight teachers and support staff say SEND resources “insufficient”: NEU
The Government has done little to help schools and local authorities in meeting the challenge of increased SEND need, the National Education Union (NEU) has claimed.
Dame Christine Gilbert to lead independent review into Ofsted response to death of headteacher
Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver, has announced the appointment of Dame Christine Gilbert to lead an independent learning review into Ofsted’s response to the death of headteacher Ruth Perry.
Few legal associates plan to leave private practice for in-house, LexisNexis finds
Only 12% of legal associates have plans to leave private practice for alternative careers such as in-house, Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs), or academic career opportunities, according to research by LexisNexis.
High Court finds Westminster housing policy indirectly discriminatory towards women needing to move to escape violence
A claimant has won a judicial review challenge in the High Court over Westminster City Council’s decision to refuse to agree to her request for a "reciprocal transfer" into accommodation in its area.
City council wins appeal over offer of accommodation with one bedroom to father of four
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by Cambridge City Council over whether it was justified in offering the claimant/respondent accommodation with one bedroom despite him wanting a home large enough for his children to stay overnight when visiting.
Council agrees to independent investigation into novel £72m pension deal
The terms of an independent investigation into a £72m pension deal struck by Plymouth City Council that was "not in line with normal accounting practice" have been revealed.
Family Justice Council seeks two public law solicitors including one local authority lawyer
The Family Justice Council (FJC) is looking to appoint two practising solicitors specialising in public law family work – one local authority lawyer and one private practice lawyer.
Face to face hearings suspended in Mental Health Hospitals and Trusts not compliant with minimum safety standards
His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has suspended face to face hearings at some Mental Health Hospitals and Trusts, citing “national security concerns”.
Special Development Order puts end to council enforcement action against asylum seeker airbase
West Lindsey District Council has withdrawn its enforcement notice at RAF Scampton in light of a Special Development Order (SDO) that has put an end to planning enforcement action relating to the site.
Ofsted publishes updated policies for complaints about inspections and when it will pause inspections
Pausing an inspection in exceptional circumstances now applies to all types of providers, in accordance with Ofsted’s updated complaints and pausing policy.
Major social landlord seeks engagement with legal services providers
Housing association Midland Heart, which has 34,000 homes across the UK, serving 55 local authorities, has called for expressions of interest in the supply of legal services.
Children’s Homes Association says organisations must be ultimately owned in UK to be member
The Children’s Homes Association (CHA) has announced changes to its membership criteria from 6 April 2024, including a new requirement for organisations to be ultimately owned in the UK.
Day-to-day adoption practice by regional adoption agencies “strong”, but challenges remain: Ofsted
Demand for adoption support often exceeds the resources available to regional adoption agencies (RAAs), meaning some individuals and families do not receive the support they need, when they need it.
Police launch investigation over “verbal threats” at planning committee
Police are investigating an incident involving "verbal threats" made at an Arun District Council planning committee meeting last month.
Local authority defeats High Court council tax challenge by claimant who said she had not consented to be taxed
The High Court has rejected a challenge to a council tax bill argued on the basis that since the claimant had not consented to be taxed the council could not collect it.
Courts to be able to hand down 'Serious Disruption Prevention Orders' from today
Courts can from today (5 April) impose orders to prevent individuals from causing repeated serious disruption.
Council worker in adult social financial services team jailed after diverting council funds into own accounts
A Nottinghamshire County Council worker has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of redirecting council funds into personal bank accounts for four years.
High Court orders council to pay costs after it agreed to reconsider financial assessment for man with needs for care and support
Bolton Council must pay costs in a dispute over a care package and disability-related expenditure (DRE) after Mr Justice Fordham said he was “unpersuaded” by the council’s list of reasons why it should not.
Kent outlines “urgent” need for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children to be transferred to other UK local authorities
Kent County Council has warned it is now “extremely close” to its current capacity for caring for unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children, and has highlighted an “urgent” need for children to be transferred to other UK local authorities.
Council “passed the buck” to neighbouring area instead of arranging provision of alternative education for young girl, Ombudsman finds
Essex County Council is to review its alternative educational provision following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Welsh Government failing to ensure councils meet duties regarding gypsy and traveller sites, Ombudsman says
The Welsh Government has failed to ensure that local authorities are carrying out their legal duties with respect to the provision of accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has said.
Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal over responsibilities of Information Commissioner when determining complaints from data subjects
The Supreme Court has refused permission to appeal in a dispute over the UK Information Commissioner's responsibilities when a data subject lodges a complaint that a data controller has infringed data protection law.
Government makes pavement licensing regime permanent
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has commenced the pavement licensing provisions laid out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, establishing a permanent pavement licensing regime for England.
Boat owners prevented from long-term mooring on stretch of Thames after Environment Agency brings trespass proceedings
The Environment Agency has “successfully pursued” ten boat-owners through the courts, who had moored continuously on the River Thames for several years.
Government refuses council request for public inquiry into financial failures
The Government has rejected Thurrock Council's request that it conduct a public inquiry into the local authority's financial collapse.
Biodiversity net gain requirement now in force for majority of developments
Local planning authorities must now consider Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements for most developments, following the implementation of the measures for small developments earlier this week (2 April).
Select committee chair questions Government on ‘UK connection’ and other proposed tests for social housing allocation
The chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee, Clive Betts MP, has written to the Social Housing Minister, Baroness Scott, calling for answers to a series of questions on the Government’s proposed reforms to how social housing is allocated in England.
Owners of demolished Crooked House pub launch appeal over planning enforcement notice
South Staffordshire Council has said owners of the demolished Crooked House pub in Himley have appealed against its enforcement notice, which requires the building's reconstruction.
Regulator writes to remind social landlords of new standards and responsibilities as consumer reforms come into force
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has written to the chief executives of all social housing landlords reminding them of changes to its regulatory powers and the new standards that they must now meet, following commencement of the four new consumer standards on 1 April.
Cafcass receives ‘outstanding’ Ofsted judgment
Children and families who experience family court proceedings receive an “outstanding” service from Cafcass, Ofsted has found.
Ofsted to publish school inspection reports – including those giving ‘inadequate’ rating – during purdah
Ofsted has announced that it will publish inspection reports for local authority schools including those assessed to be ‘inadequate’ in the run up to the local elections in England.
Legal Services Act does not appear to provide stable long-term framework for regulation of legal professions: Justice Committee
The Legal Services Act 2007 does not appear to provide a stable long-term framework for the regulation of the legal professions, the Justice Committee has warned.
Government issues guidance on how to disapply social rent controls
The Government has published new guidance setting out how councils can seek to disapply the Government-set rent controls on their social housing in situations where it would cause financial difficulty.
Devonshires promotes record number of solicitors to partner
Law firm Devonshires has promoted 11 solicitors to partner in its annual promotions round and chosen its Head of Construction, Engineering and Procurement, Mark London, as its next senior partner.
Weightmans elects ex-head of local government litigation as senior partner
National law firm Weightmans has elected Peter Wake, who was its head of local government litigation for many years, as its new senior partner for a three-year term.
LGA expresses concerns that proposed amendments will weaken Renters Reform Bill and delay ‘no fault’ evictions ban
The Local Government Association (LGA) has voiced concern that proposed amendments to the Renters Reform Bill tabled by the Government could weaken key measures, including the ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, the redress scheme and essential enforcement measures.
Councils vote to support campaign for greater transparency over contaminated land and waters following death of child
Brighton and Hove City Council and Adur District Council have voted to support the campaign for Zane’s Law, which would ensure councils keep public registers of land that may be contaminated.
Sharpe Pritchard promotes three to partner in 2024 round
Sharpe Pritchard has promoted three lawyers to partner with effect from 2 April 2024.
Taxi driver who showed female passenger explicit link loses licensing appeal
A taxi driver who admitted showing a female passenger a weblink to an explicit website has lost an appeal to drive an East Cambridgeshire District Council licensed taxi or private hire vehicle.
Sharpe Pritchard names new managing partner
Sharpe Pritchard, one of the UK’s top public sector law specialists, has appointed Timothy Farr as its new Managing Partner.
Chair of select committee says “sticking plaster” interventions for local government audit backlog not enough
The chair of the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has described the backlog in local government audit as "unacceptably high" and warned that the Government cannot say when or how the situation will improve.
High Court allows parental order application despite existence of US adoption order
The President of the Family Division has determined the issue of whether or not the commissioning parents of a child born through a surrogacy arrangement in the USA, who had already adopted their child in that country, were nevertheless entitled to have a parental order granted in their favour in…
NHS England appoints consultancy to advise on creation of National Legal Services system
NHS England has appointed Deloitte to a £562,500 contract to undertake the detailed design and launch of its proposed National Legal Services system and provide system support.
Court of Appeal sets aside order that was not open to Family Court judge as matter of law
The Court of Appeal has set aside a care order made in respect of a nine-month-old baby, after concluding the judge made an order which was “not open to her in law”.
Mayors to have more devolved planning powers under Labour Government, party says
The Labour Party has vowed to reform the planning system by reintroducing mandatary local housing targets, recruiting hundreds of new planning officers, and giving mayors new planning powers.
MoJ data suggests “slight decrease” in volume of deprivation of liberty applications for children
The Ministry of Justice has reported that 289 children were subject to applications to deprive them of their liberty between October and December 2023 in England and Wales.
Councils do not believe planning policy proposal will boost brownfield development
The Local Government Association (LGA) has questioned government proposals to amend the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in order to encourage development on brownfield land.
Monday hearings to be temporarily paused in Family Division of High Court
The Family Division of the High Court is to reserve Mondays for “urgent applications”, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has revealed.
Changes next week to regulation of social housing are "the most significant in a decade", says Government
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has hailed next week’s (1 April) launch by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) of the new consumer regulation regime as a “significant milestone” in its programme to improve the quality of social housing.
Council to amend cycle barriers following indirect discrimination claim
Newcastle City Council has agreed to amend a set of cycle barriers after receiving a letter before claim from a disabled cyclist who said the design constituted indirect discrimination as it blocked his access to the cycle path.
London pedicab licensing bill set to receive Royal Assent
A bill that will hand Transport for London (TfL) new licensing powers over pedicabs operating in the capital has passed its third reading in the House of Commons and is set to receive Royal Assent in the coming weeks.
Select committee pans shared ownership schemes for failing to deliver affordable route to homeownership
Shared ownership schemes are “drastically failing to deliver an affordable route to homeownership for too many people” and subject buyers to rising rents, uncapped service charges, and a disproportionate exposure to repair and maintenance costs, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC)…
London borough still owed claimant duty to secure accommodation as it had not taken decision to end it, judge rules
The London Borough of Waltham Forest cannot have ended its duty to accommodate a resident because it never took a valid decision to do so, the High Court has found in a judicial review.
Minister apologises over role played in row over proposed incinerator in his constituency
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has apologised to MPs on a select committee about his role in a dispute over a waste incinerator after being accused by his Labour shadow of potentially breaking the law.
Bureaucratic approach to net zero funding is hampering efforts, councils warn
Two-thirds of councils are not confident in hitting their net zero targets, with many blaming a bureaucratic bidding process for net zero funds for hampering progress, a Local Government Association (LGA) survey has found.
Magistrates call for reform of Single Justice Procedure
The Single Justice Procedure (SJP) must be reformed to be seen as fair and transparent, the Magistrates’ Association has warned.
Need to come to pragmatic solution to audit backlog is urgent, councils say
Government proposals to tackle the backlog in local authority audit “will be hard for local authorities to deal with” but must be supported as “the best opportunity for resolving the situation”, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Ombudsman sets out “policy asks” including mandatory signposting for all adult social care providers, extended jurisdiction over schools
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), Amerdeep Somal, has outlined a number of minimum steps needed in order to improve access to its service.
Development consent for biomass burning at Yorkshire plant breached regulations, letter before claim argues
The Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero is facing a judicial review challenge after giving development consent for the burning of biomass at a Yorkshire power plant.
Judge dismisses judicial review over charging policy at Birmingham for providing services to disabled adults unable to work
Birmingham City Council’s disastrous financial situation gives a justification for its policy on charging for care for severely disabled adults who are unable to do paid work, the High Court has found.
Ashfords advises council on consenting for £4bn battery gigafactory
Law firm Ashfords has been appointed to advise Somerset Council on the consenting, funding and development of a £4 billion battery gigafactory in Bridgwater by Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business.
We need interventions to address “failing” market system for children’s residential provision, ADCS President tells MPs
The President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has called for interventions to address what he describes as a “completely failing market system” for children’s residential provision.
High Court judge issues ruling on access to hearing for mother seen as potential security risk
A High Court judge has ruled that a mother, who had been assessed as a “potential risk” to court security, should be permitted to enter the court building for upcoming hearings provided that a number of arrangements are put in place and adhered to.
Government promises return to multi-year settlements “when circumstances allow”
The Government has said it plans to return to multi-year settlements in the next Parliament "when circumstances allow", has no plan to re-evaluate council tax bands, and will not reset the business rates retention system before 2025-26.
Action on climate change should be a legal duty for councils, climate group says
Councils should be subject to a legal duty to take climate action, requiring a lead councillor for climate and ring-fenced funding for climate action, a climate action group has said.
Claimant fails in judicial review over SEND Review consultation and information on available remedies for tribunal in disability discrimination cases
The High Court has rejected a judicial review challenge brought on behalf of a 12-year-old boy with special educational needs to one of the 22 consultation questions contained in the SEND Review, the Government’s consultation Green Paper.
Lord Morse steps down as Oflog chair for health reasons
Lord Morse is stepping down as interim Chair of the Office for Local Government (Oflog) for unexpected health reasons.
Combined authority names new Director of Legal and Governance
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has appointed Matthew Cumberbatch as its Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer.