Jun 20, 2025

Department of Health and Social Care issues code of practice on standards of training on learning disability and autism

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a code of practice setting out standards for training on learning disability and autism for Care Quality Commission (CQC)-registered health and social care providers and their staff.

Jun 20, 2025

Public bodies urged not to leave consideration of form of contract to last minute as Government unveils £9bn investment to tackle infrastructure backlogs

The Government has announced that it will allocate at least £9 billion in 2025-26 to address the critical maintenance needs of health, education and justice estates, rising to over £10 billion per year by 2034-35.

Jun 20, 2025

Housing Ombudsman report reveals leaseholders “left feeling isolated and exposed” by treatment from local authorities

A report into the failings of social landlords has revealed a series of cases, including one woman losing seven potential buyers for her home, in which leaseholders were left feeling isolated and exposed by an unresponsive system.

Jun 20, 2025

Council finances "fast approaching a cliff-edge", says chair of Public Accounts Committee

Local government finance is in a "perilous state", despite a real-terms funding increase in central government grants, council tax, and locally retained business rates of 4%, the Public Accounts Committee has warned.

Jun 19, 2025

Minister set to extend Thurrock intervention for further three years

The Minister for Local Government has said he is minded to continue the intervention at Thurrock Council following the publication of a fifth commissioners' report, which described the council's position as "fragile".

Jun 19, 2025

Ombudsman asks London borough to review how it deals with homelessness applicants who have been issued with section 21 eviction notice

The London Borough of Hillingdon failed to take steps to alleviate the risk of homelessness to a resident and delayed moving her to interim accommodation, after she received an eviction notice.

Jun 19, 2025

Government to remove local connection rules for care leavers under 25 and domestic abuse survivors

The Government is to exempt young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse from local connection requirements in a bid to improve their access to social housing.

Jun 19, 2025

Disabled people seeking social housing facing avoidable injustices, Ombudsman says

Disabled people in England are facing "disproportionate challenges" when navigating local authorities' housing and homelessness services, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has warned.

Jun 19, 2025

Judges allow appeal by council over refusal of Family Court to make care order

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal by a local authority over the refusal of a Family Court judge to make a care order in respect of a girl, who is rising 2.

Jun 19, 2025

City council told to pay financial remedy to complainant over delays in dealing with child protection issues

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has recommended that Stoke-on-Trent City Council pay nearly £5,000 to a resident who complained that the local authority did not deal with child protection issues properly.

Jun 19, 2025

High-profile public and private family law specialist joins 4PB

Public and private family law barrister Bibi Badejo, who is also a leading advocacy trainer, has joined 4PB.

Jun 19, 2025

NHS trust breached Equality Act over uniform policy aimed at curbing political symbols, staff claim

Three NHS workers have launched legal action against an NHS trust claiming that a new uniform policy unlawfully discriminates against them – and is in breach of the Equality Act 2010 – because of their pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist beliefs.

Jun 19, 2025

Judge rules on dispute between councils over designation after one-year-old child placed with maternal grandmother

A Family Court judge has said he was "inexorably led" to the finding that North Yorkshire Council should be the designated local authority for a one-year-old child who is subject to a care order, despite the council insisting that Birmingham City Council should remain the designated authority.

Jun 19, 2025

Resident loses challenge to possession order as landlord pursues demolition of estate

The last resident of an estate due for demolition must pay social landlord Co-op Homes £7,500 in costs after losing a challenge to a possession order.

Jun 19, 2025

Minister expresses doubt over replacing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards with Liberty Protection Safeguards

The Minister of State for Care has said he is “not entirely convinced” that replacing the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with the Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) will achieve the stated objectives of the exercise.

Jun 18, 2025

Government announces National Housing Bank to help finance home building

The Government has launched a 'National Housing Bank' that will see more than 500,000 homes built with the help of £16bn of new public investment.

Jun 18, 2025

Solicitors charity offers new ‘reverse mentoring’ toolkit to legal employers

Lawyers welfare charity Law Care has joined with the University of Leeds to launch a new ‘Reverse Mentoring Toolkit’ to assist legal employers in improving the mental health of their staff.

Jun 18, 2025

Academy defeats High Court legal challenge to permanent exclusion

The High Court has rejected a claim that a girl should not have been permanently excluded from school because her Article 4 ECHR rights were infringed.

Jun 18, 2025

Borough council secures £57k in costs after defeating two licensing appeals

St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council has defeated two appeals against licensing decisions affecting local bars, winning costs of some £57,000.

Jun 18, 2025

Consultation on Surrey reorganisation kicks off

The Government has launched a consultation on local government reorganisation in Surrey, asking for views on whether to adopt a two-unitary structure or a three-unitary structure for the county.

Jun 18, 2025

Soho Society fails in legal challenge to grant of licence for gin distillery

Westminster Magistrates’ Court has refused to intervene in a case in which the Soho Society claimed Westminster City Council was endangering public safety by granting a licence for tasting rooms and a gin distillery beneath an inhabited building.

Jun 17, 2025

Transport body appoints five law firms to professional services framework

Transport for Greater Manchester has appointed five law firms to the legal services lot of its 2025 professional services framework.

Jun 17, 2025

Government accepts all 12 recommendations in “damning” report from Baroness Casey on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse

The Government has accepted all 12 of the recommendations in Baroness Louise Casey's national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation, including her calls for a national inquiry, unique reference numbers for children and an immediate end to 'out of area taxis'.

Jun 17, 2025

Education Secretary appoints Gilbert as next chair of Ofsted

Dame Christine Gilbert, a former Chief Inspector and the author of the Independent Learning Review for Ofsted, has been appointed as the watchdog’s next chair.

Jun 17, 2025

Planning inspector allows appeal over council refusal for traveller site on disused car park

A planning inspector has granted permission for traveller families to remain on a disused car park, overturning a council refusal and marking the latest defeat for Medway Council after a court also dismissed its eviction attempt last month.

Jun 17, 2025

Education purchasing body to undertake market engagement as it brings legal framework management back in-house

The Crescent Purchasing Consortium, a not-for-profit organisation that provides frameworks and procurement consultancy services for the education sector, is to hold preliminary market engagement as the first step in bringing its legal services framework agreement back in-house.

Jun 17, 2025

Mark Heath given MBE for services to local government, while GLD duo receive OBEs

Mark Heath, a consultant at law firm VWV and former monitoring officer at Southampton City Council, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to local government.

Jun 16, 2025

NALC publishes revamped governance guide for town and parish councils

The National Association for Local Councils (NALC) has issued an updated edition of guidance designed to support councillors, clerks, council staff and trainers in working more effectively, transparently and lawfully.

Jun 16, 2025

County council “fundamentally disagrees” with plan to end statutory consultations for major infrastructure projects

Suffolk County Council has criticised the Government's plans to scrap the statutory consultation requirements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

Jun 16, 2025

High Court grants injunction prohibiting caravans on ‘national landscape’ site

The High Court has granted an interim injunction against siting residential homes or caravans on a patch of rural land after Tunbridge Wells Borough Council raised fears that the site was about to be occupied without planning permission.

Jun 16, 2025

Outdoor education facility fails in legal challenge to permission for waste recycling centre 30 metres away

Norfolk County Council was entitled to give itself planning consent for a household waste recycling centre adjacent to both a similar existing facility and a children’s outdoor education site, the High Court has found.

Jun 16, 2025

West Midlands council names Director for Legal, Compliance and Assurance

Aftab Razzaq has been appointed the Director for Legal, Compliance and Assurance at Dudley Council and becomes its monitoring officer.

Jun 13, 2025

High Court gives reasons for rejecting injunction bid over trans rights protest outside equality watchdog offices

The High Court has given its reasons for refusing an injunction application aimed at curbing future protests by trans rights campaigners who had previously staged a four-day protest outside the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) London offices.

Jun 13, 2025

Council to refer to police failure by former cabinet member to register disclosable pecuniary interest correctly

Cornwall Council has said it will refer to the police a former councillor's failure to correctly register his disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) upon becoming Head of Air and Space at Cornwall Airport.

Jun 13, 2025

Government to consult “shortly” on convergence mechanism for new rent settlement

The Government will shortly publish a consultation on implementation of a convergence mechanism as part of the new rent settlement announced this week in the Spending Review 2025.

Jun 13, 2025

High Court judge criticises “pretty relaxed and leisurely manner” to carrying out specific works in disrepair case

A London borough took a “leisurely” approach to a disrepair case even though an accompanying court order carried a penal notice naming its chief executive, Mr Justice Rajah has said in the High Court.

Jun 13, 2025

Government minded to send Commissioners into Croydon

The Government is minded to escalate the intervention at Croydon Council following the ninth report of the local authority's Improvement and Assurance Panel, which has warned of a rapidly deteriorating financial position at the London borough.

Jun 13, 2025

New platform launched to help councils navigate council-owned companies

Council Company Network (CCN) has launched a new website to help advise council leaders and officers on council-owned companies.

Jun 12, 2025

Gambling Commission facing subsidy control appeal over grant of £70m to promote National Lottery

Companies behind the Health Lottery have brought an appeal under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 against the Gambling Commission over its decision in July 2023 to grant more than £70m to Camelot to spend on marketing and promoting the National Lottery.

Jun 12, 2025

Borough councils set to agree on shared legal service

Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council are poised to agree on a shared legal service in an effort to bring £50,000 worth of savings to each local authority per annum, alongside other benefits.

Jun 12, 2025

Ombudsman open to running national appeals body for standards complaints, says chief executive

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman would “certainly” be open to running the national appeals body that has been proposed as part of the Government’s reforms to the standards regime, the watchdog’s chief executive has said.

Jun 12, 2025

Government hands planning powers back to three local authorities in light of improvements

The Government has handed back planning powers to Uttlesford District Council, Chorley Council and St Albans City and District Council after seeing improvements at the three local authorities.

Jun 12, 2025

University names 11 providers to £63m legal services framework

The University of Essex has selected 11 law firms for a seven-lot legal services framework worth an estimated £63m.

Jun 12, 2025

DWP to procure replacement £19.5m property legal services contract

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has issued an invitation to participate as it looks to procure a replacement property legal services (PLS) contract.

Jun 12, 2025

Councils call for rebuilding of inclusive capacity and reformed legislative framework for SEND system

More children with special educational needs should get the care and support they require in schools and other mainstream settings without needing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) statutory plan, the Local Government (LGA) Association has said.

Jun 11, 2025

School wins village green challenge as High Court orders deletion of land from register

The High Court has taken the rare step of ordering a local authority to delete land from a village green register in a case brought by a school against Bristol City Council and a local campaigner.

Jun 11, 2025

District fails in legal challenge to permission for development it considered would result in unacceptable standard of living for future occupants

The High Court has rejected an appeal by Folkestone and Hythe District Council against a planning inspector’s decision to allow an application it had earlier refused in a dispute over space and outlooks.

Jun 11, 2025

Campaign group wins Court of Appeal challenge over £200m funding cut to Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy

Campaign Group Transport Action Network has won a Court of Appeal case over whether it was lawful for the Secretary of State for Transport to reduce funding for measures to encourage walking and cycling.

Jun 11, 2025

Campaigners pursue another legal challenge over Sizewell C as Chancellor gives project green light

The £14.2bn Sizewell C nuclear power station project faces legal action from a local campaign group just as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has signalled the long-delayed scheme would proceed.

Jun 11, 2025

Spending Review 2025: Reaction from the sector

Local Government Lawyer rounds up the reaction from the sector to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spending Review 2025.

Jun 11, 2025

Local authority core spending power to increase by 3.1% under Spending Review plans

The Government’s spending review has detailed plans to provide local government with an additional £3.4 billion of grant funding in 2028‑29 compared to 2024‑25, in an effort to return the sector “to a sustainable financial position".

Jun 11, 2025

Housing providers urged to register to adopt new shared ownership code

The cross-sector Shared Ownership Council has issued a Shared Ownership Code – designed to drive better experiences for shared owners and best practice across the industry – following a four-month pilot with eight housing providers.

Jun 11, 2025

Government sets Spring 2026 deadline for decriminalisation of rough sleeping through repeal of 200-year-old law

The Government has committed to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 by Spring next year, ensuring rough sleeping will no longer be a criminal offence.

Jun 11, 2025

DWF advises West Northamptonshire Council on landmark regeneration scheme

DWF has advised West Northamptonshire Council on the exchange of a development agreement with the English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between Legal & General, Homes England and Muse – for the Greyfriars regeneration scheme in Northampton.

Jun 10, 2025

Court orders landlord to pay £20,000+ for ignoring planning enforcement notice

A landlord has been ordered to pay more than £20,000 after he failed to comply with a planning enforcement notice issued by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Jun 10, 2025

Select committee to probe "£700m shortfall" in DWP housing refunds to councils

MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee will hold a one-off session later this month to consider a reported shortfall of £737.3 million across five years in Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) refunds to local authorities.

Jun 10, 2025

Ofsted and CQC to change way area SEND inspections are undertaken

Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are to make a series of improvements to the way area SEND inspections are carried out, following a review of the framework for inspecting local area partnership arrangements launched in January 2023.

Jun 10, 2025

Supreme Court refuses school permission to appeal in dispute over dismissal of employee for Facebook posts on teaching of “gender fluidity”

The Supreme Court has refused a school permission to appeal a ruling that the dismissal of a Christian employee constituted unlawful discrimination on the ground of religion or belief.

Jun 10, 2025

London borough reveals switch to ‘lifetime tenancies’ for all social housing residents

Westminster City Council has announced that all new and existing tenants will be granted secure lifetime tenancies after their introductory tenancies over the next year.

Jun 10, 2025

Judge refuses permission for judicial review of planning permission for 10,000 home garden town project

The High Court has, on the papers, refused claimants permission to apply for judicial review of the decision of East Herts District Council to grant outline planning permission for 10,000 homes across seven new villages.

Jun 10, 2025

Commercial property team at Wolverhampton wins ‘Legal Team of the Year’ award at LLG Awards 2025

City of Wolverhampton Council's commercial property team has been named 'Legal Team of the Year' at the Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Awards 2025.

Jun 10, 2025

Northern Ireland Government to ask Supreme Court whether amended Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice satisfies Article 5 even if approach is different to Cheshire West

The Attorney-General for Northern Ireland has made a reference to the Supreme Court over whether proposed changes to Northern Ireland's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice that differ from the approach set out in the landmark Cheshire West ruling nevertheless satisfy Article 6 of the…

Jun 09, 2025

Law Commission consults on framework for future regulation of new funerary methods

The Law Commission has published a consultation on new funerary methods, seeking views on a framework to enable future regulation in England and Wales.

Jun 09, 2025

Judge refuses Liberty permission to challenge length of consultation by equalities watchdog on updates to code of practice

A High Court judge has refused civil liberties organisation Liberty permission for a legal challenge against the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over the lawfulness of its consultation on an updated Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations.

Jun 09, 2025

ICO launches AI and biometrics strategy

The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a new AI and biometrics strategy in a bid to ensure organisations are developing and deploying new technologies lawfully.

Jun 09, 2025

High Court rejects judicial review over permission for onshore salmon farm

The High Court has rejected a legal challenge over a decision by North East Lincolnshire Borough Council to grant planning permission for an onshore salmon farm.

Jun 09, 2025

Public law specialist joins 11KBW

Juliet Wells, whose practice spans public law, group litigation, commercial law, international law, public inquiries, and costs and litigation funding, has joined 11KBW from Temple Garden Chambers.

Jun 09, 2025

David Kerfoot obituary

David Browne and Stephen Humphreys pay tribute to planning solicitor David Kerfoot.

Jun 06, 2025

Senior judges fire warning over misuse of AI before courts and tell those in profession with leadership responsibilities to take practical measures to prevent it happening

Practical and effective measures must be taken by those within the legal profession with individual leadership responsibilities and by those with the responsibility for regulating the provision of legal services to ensure that artificial intelligence is not misused in litigation, a Divisional Court…

Jun 06, 2025

Weaknesses in developer contributions system “undermining” ability of councils to negotiate with developers, spending watchdog warns

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has identified the need for improvements to the developer funding system, and has called on the Government to help local authorities build the skills and capacity they need to “manage developer contributions effectively”, and make “better use” of the…

Jun 06, 2025

Law Commission provisionally backs retention of “contracting-out” model for security of tenure for business tenancies

The existing “contracting-out” model of security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 is the right model, the Law Commission has provisionally concluded following a consultation.

Jun 06, 2025

Government names preferred candidate for chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Government has named Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson as its preferred candidate for the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Jun 06, 2025

Tribunal raps council after quashing fixed penalty notice imposed on resident for not placing bins within curtilage of property

Hartlepool Borough Council has been criticised by a judge for an “utterly contemptuous” response to a case brought by a resident over the positioning of a dustbin.

Jun 06, 2025

Councils to be allowed to develop own policies on remote attendance

The Government has confirmed it plans to permit local authorities to develop their own locally appropriate policies, if they decide to hold remote meetings.

Jun 06, 2025

Bevan Brittan strengthens planning team with partner hire in Birmingham

Law firm Bevan Brittan has bolstered its planning team with the hire of partner Lucy Thomas, who specialises in advising public and private sector clients on a wide range of planning, compulsory purchase and compensation matters.

Jun 05, 2025

Ward Hadaway names two partners in latest promotions round

Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed two new partners as part of 22 promotions across its offices.

Jun 05, 2025

Council launches legal action over approval of 173-home development in challenge to ‘Grey Belt’ decision by inspector

Castle Point Borough Council has launched legal action after a planning inspector allowed an appeal over a decision by the local authority to refuse planning permission for residential development in Daws Heath.

Jun 05, 2025

Government to press ahead with reforms tackling “fragmentation” of LGPS, boosting local investment

The Government has confirmed it will implement all the core proposals contained in its recent consultation on the future of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in England and Wales.

Jun 05, 2025

Ombudsman reminds councils not to make “blanket decisions” on post-16 school transport applications following complaints against city council

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has said that councils need to consider families’ “individual circumstances” when offering transport solutions for teenagers over 16 with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to get them to school or college.

Jun 05, 2025

Auditors find failure to follow procurement rules but no evidence of criminal activity in appointment by council of contractor for diversity programme

Internal auditors have concluded that non-compliance with procurement rules occurred at Bristol City Council when it appointed a contractor to deliver a diversity programme called Stepping Up, but that no criminal activity took place.

Jun 05, 2025

City council mulls abolition of location parts of ‘knowledge’ test for private hire drivers

Bristol City Council is set to remove the topographical element of the ‘knowledge’ test for would-be private hire drivers after concluding that it has become obsolete in an age of satnavs.

Jun 05, 2025

Upper Tribunal rejects claim restrictive covenants in favour of council was obsolete

A covenant that limits external changes to what were originally homes owned by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is not obsolete and the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) anyway lacks jurisdiction to change it.

Jun 05, 2025

Civil Justice Council calls for regulation of crowdfunding litigation with separate regime where funders do not receive financial reward

The Civil Justice Council has said that all forms of crowdfunding litigation should be regulated.

Jun 05, 2025

London borough proposes using Public Spaces Protection Order to tackle idling cars

The London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames is to consult on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that would allow action against drivers who leave vehicles’ engines idling because it thinks current legislation is unworkable.

Jun 05, 2025

Council failed to follow proper procedure when it placed child with grandparents, Ombudsman finds

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found a failure by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council to follow proper procedure when it placed a child in the care of his grandparents, alongside a failure to provide clear information, explanations and financial support.

Jun 04, 2025

SFO launches fraud investigation into millions invested Thurrock in failed solar farm businesses

The Government's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched an investigation into alleged fraud committed against Thurrock Council in relation to hundreds of millions the council invested into solar farm businesses.

Jun 04, 2025

Animal sanctuary wins court fight with council to keep lemurs

The high-profile founder of a private animal sanctuary has won an appeal against a decision by Uttlesford District Council to refuse her application to keep ring-tailed Lemurs.

Jun 04, 2025

Council secures fundamental dishonesty finding in highways tripping claim

A local authority has secured a finding of fundamental dishonesty in a highway ‘tripping’ claim, with its counsel reporting that the court had agreed it was not possible for the claimant to have been in the vicinity of the defective pavement at the point he sustained his injury.

Jun 03, 2025

McMahon issues feedback on interim proposals for local government reorganisation

The Government has issued feedback to 21 local authority areas on their interim local government reorganisation plans and announced £7.6m in funding to assist the next phase of proposals.

Jun 03, 2025

Council ordered to undertake re-assessment of age of asylum seeker

The High Court has ordered Dorset Council to undertake a re-assessment of an asylum seeker’s age, which takes account of new evidence in the form of an Afghan national identity card and three reports relating to it.

Jun 03, 2025

London borough apologises for treatment of resident who gave birth without anywhere to live

Lewisham Council has issued an apology for failing to provide a resident with interim accommodation when she was homeless and heavily pregnant.

Jun 03, 2025

Reform UK says officers who obstruct internal review team sent into county council will be guilty of gross misconduct

Reform UK has warned it will consider officers who obstruct the work of an internal review team sent in to Kent County Council to have committed gross misconduct.

Jun 03, 2025

Legal action launched against EHRC over “unlawful” code of practice consultation

Civil liberties organisation Liberty has launched legal action against the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), arguing that the watchdog breached its statutory duties by trying to rush through “sweeping changes” to its Code of Practice, and not giving individuals and businesses a lawful…

Jun 03, 2025

Lincolnshire authority rejects local government reorganisation plans

North Lincolnshire Council has said it does not support any local government reorganisation proposals for its county, arguing the public has no appetite for a 'super council'.

Jun 02, 2025

Six in ten county and rural authorities not confident of setting balanced budget: CCN

It is "essential" that county and rural unitary authorities receive a significant funding boost in the forthcoming Spending Review after survey results showed six in ten county and rural unitary councils are not confident of setting a balanced budget next year, the County Councils Network has said.

Jun 02, 2025

Council seeks judicial review in dispute over finding of planning inspector on duty to cooperate

Mid Sussex District Council has launched a judicial review against the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in a row about a planning inspector's finding that the council's local development plan failed to meet the duty to cooperate.

Jun 02, 2025

Council to review use of approval panels for packages of adult social care after Ombudsman finds “undue emphasis” put on cost and funding arrangements

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has found fault with how Croydon Council assessed a man’s needs and how it planned his care and support, finding that the authority’s approval panel was focused “solely” on the costs of the man’s care, not on how best to meet his needs.

Jun 02, 2025

Council warns developers and landowners over felling trees for development and misunderstandings about biodiversity net gain

Tandridge District Council has fired a warning to developers and landowners of the “significant financial and legal consequences” of cutting down trees on sites being considered for development.

Jun 02, 2025

Welsh Government to set up oversight body to ensure compliance by public authorities with environmental law

The Welsh Government has introduced a Bill that will establish a new body tasked with providing independent oversight of compliance, application and implementation of environmental law in Wales.

Jun 02, 2025

Dorset to become ‘Rights Respecting Authority’ for young people

Dorset Council has announced it is to be the first unitary authority to become a 'Rights Respecting Authority' for young people – making a public commitment to “child centred decision making”.

Jun 02, 2025

London council contemplates legal action against Home Office over cost of asylum seeker support

The London Borough of Hillingdon has confirmed that it is considering legal action against the Home Office over the cost of supporting asylum seekers without additional Government funding.

Jun 02, 2025

Government eyes introduction of biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects from May 2026

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

Jun 02, 2025

Failure to support children with complex needs and lack of appropriate placements driving “astronomical” care costs, warns LGA

The Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to ensure all councils receive sufficient funding to invest long-term into family help, child protection, child in care and care leaver services, after a study found that a failure to support children with complex needs is driving…

May 30, 2025

Land Registry to publish data on “avoidable requisitions” following land registration applications

The Land Registry will this Autumn publish data on “avoidable requisitions” - requests for more information or clarification - it has had to make to applicants for land registration.

May 30, 2025

Council criticised by Ombudsman for failing to ensure child received SEN provision while appeal in First-tier Tribunal was ongoing

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found Leeds City Council at fault for failing to ensure a child received special educational needs provision while an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) was ongoing.

May 30, 2025

Court grants possession order to remove central London homeless encampment

Transport for London (TfL) is set to remove a homeless encampment in central London for a third time after obtaining a possession order from the courts.

May 30, 2025

Charity threatens legal action against Home Secretary and Met Police over “failure” to collect adequate data to support equality monitoring in Prevent programme

Human rights charity Rights & Security International (RSI) has sent a pre-action letter to the Home Secretary and the Police Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police, arguing that a failure to collect “adequate” data to support equality monitoring within the Prevent programme constitutes a breach…

May 30, 2025

High Court grants permission for judicial review over alleged regulatory failings of Environment Agency in respect of landfill site emissions

The High Court has agreed to hear a judicial review challenge against the Environment Agency over its alleged regulatory failings in respect of a landfill site that has been a long-running source of complaints over pollution.

May 30, 2025

Charity gets green light for challenge to permission for 170-home scheme amid concerns over sewage works and river pollution

Charity WildFish has gained High Court permission for a judicial review of Buckinghamshire Council’s decision to allow 170 homes to be built at Maids Moreton because of concerns about river pollution.

May 30, 2025

Planning Court judge rejects challenge to grant of permission for redevelopment of vacant car showroom to hotel

A planning policy to prevent the loss of office space is not engaged where that space was only an ancillary use to something else, the High Court has ruled.

May 30, 2025

North West council secures extension to ‘persons unknown’ injunction prohibiting unauthorised encampments

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council has secured a renewed injunction against persons unknown who might set up unauthorised encampments in its area.

May 30, 2025

Judge rejects challenge to ministerial decision to refuse planning permission for solar farm against recommendation of inspector

A solar farm developer has lost a judicial review challenge to a decision of the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities to overturn an inspector’s recommendation that its project should gain planning consent.

May 30, 2025

City of London fails in High Court challenge over business rates mitigation scheme involving placing of boxes on premises

The City of London Corporation has lost a High Court challenge to the lawfulness of a scheme designed to mitigate empty property rates by regularly filling a space with boxes.

May 29, 2025

Campaigners make renewed judicial review threat over Brockwell Park festival use

Campaigners opposing a series of live events at Brockwell Park are seeking a judicial review challenge against Lambeth Council after the London borough issued a new approval for the events just days after the High Court found its previous approval unlawful.

May 29, 2025

London borough latest to receive “serious failings” grade after self-referral to Regulator of Social Housing

The London Borough of Brent has failed to meet the outcomes in the consumer standards and has been given a C3 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing after referring itself over the quality and accuracy of its fire safety data.

May 29, 2025

Bar Standards Board backtracks on proposals to change core duty on equality and diversity

The Bar Standards Board has announced that it will no longer go ahead with proposals to change the barristers’ core duty on equality and diversity, following a public consultation.

May 29, 2025

Councils to use AI for preparing meeting minutes as part of Government trial

Local councils across the country are trialling a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool aimed at streamlining tasks in the planning process and social care, including note-taking.

May 29, 2025

Ombudsman and Enforcement Conduct Board sign agreement to aid “better investigation” of complaints about bailiffs

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and fhe Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) have signed a “memorandum of understanding” to aid better investigation of complaints and concerns about enforcement agents - more commonly known as bailiffs.

May 29, 2025

Government to axe Level 7 apprenticeship scheme for over 21s used by some councils to fund trainees

The Government has decided to scrap apprenticeship funding for people over the age of 21 in a blow to local authorities using the scheme to fund legal trainees.

May 29, 2025

Housing Ombudsman demands ‘transformative overhaul’ after 474% surge in repair complaints

The Housing Ombudsman has reacted to a stark rise in complaints by calling for a ‘transformative overhaul’, advising the establishment of a national tenant body to strengthen tenant voice and landlord accountability, alongside a comprehensive review of funding practices.