NEWS
Feb 05, 2021
Government gives green light to May 2021 local elections
The May 2021 local elections are to go ahead, the Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution in the Cabinet Office has confirmed.
Feb 01, 2021
Secretary of State sets up Improvement and Assurance Panel at financially-troubled London borough
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick has appointed an Improvement and Assurance Panel to address what he described as “serious failures” at Croydon Council.
Feb 01, 2021
Campaign group fails in legal challenge after council dismissed petition calling for referendum on governance model
A High Court judge has dismissed a judicial review challenge to the London Borough of Newham’s decision to declare invalid a petition seeking a referendum to change the governance model of the council.
Jan 28, 2021
Town council facing judicial review over handling of staff grievances
Three members of Andover Town Council are expected to issue a judicial review challenge against it in a complex dispute over staffing and the conduct of meetings.
Jan 27, 2021
Welsh Government proposes emergency proxy votes for May 2021 Senedd election
A voter would be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote where, in the period ahead of the poll for the next Senedd election, a voter or their already nominated proxy becomes unable to participate in person on the day of the poll because of a reason relating to coronavirus, such as the need to self-isolate, under an emergency Bill introduced by the Welsh Government.
Jan 25, 2021
Lawyers and democratic services officers to obtain legal advice on continuing with virtual meetings after 6 May without need for primary legislation
LLG (Lawyers in Local Government) and ADSO (the Association of Democratic Services Officers) have instructed counsel to advise on whether remote meetings can continue to be held, without the need for primary legislation, when the regulations introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic come to an end.
Jan 21, 2021
Welsh Government to seek Senedd consent for emergency bill to manage election during pandemic
The Welsh Government has said it will seek the Senedd’s consent next week (27 January) for an emergency bill to be introduced aimed at ensuring the next Senedd election happens safely.
Jan 20, 2021
Former councillor at London borough jailed for electoral offences
A former councillor at the London Borough of Redbridge has been jailed for electoral offences and banned from holding elected office for five years.
Jan 19, 2021
Law firm teams up with CommercialGov to deliver governance for commercial activity masterclass for LGA
Sharpe Pritchard is working with CommercialGov to provide a commercial governance masterclass for the Local Government Association.
Jan 15, 2021
May 2021 elections still on but situation will be kept under review: Minister
The May 2021 elections look set to go ahead after the Minister for the Constitution and Devolution told MPs this week there should be “a high bar for any delay”.