Andy Sawford

Community Budgets: only the start

11 January 2012 | Andy Sawford

The new Community Budget pilots are a step forward in joined-up local services and budgeting. But DCLG  must  do more to roll out this programme nationwide Read more

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Through a glass gloomily

16 December 2011 | Andy Sawford

Crystal-ball gazing about what 2012 holds for local councils is not an exact science. But we can be sure of one thing – the going will get even tougher Read more

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Tough settlement: oh yes, it is, by Andy Sawford

15 December 2010 | Andy Sawford

In the 36 hours since the local government finance settlement was announced I’ve heard accusations of ‘spin’ by the government, and ‘whingeing’ by councils. Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles claims that the maximum funding reductions are 8.9%.  But in this season of pantomime, councils are shouting back ‘oh no, it isn’t’ . Pointing to the detailed figures they say the real story is ‘behind you’. Read more...

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Spending Review: what it means for councils, by Andy Sawford

20 October 2010 | Andy Sawford

The cuts to local government budgets announced in today’s Spending Review are huge and unprecedented. They will fundamentally alter the way that councils work and the work that they do. Read more...

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Section 106: let councils decide, by Andy Sawford

29 January 2010 | Andy Sawford

Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes will today debate his Private Members’ Bill, an amendment to the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act, which would allow councils to use Section 106 money to undertake repairs and improvements to existing properties. Under current Whitehall rules, councils can only use Section 106 cash to provide amenities to serve new developments. Read more...

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Pushing the envelope

2 July 2009 | Andy Sawford

Councils have gained a local government secretary who wants to defend and extend their role. But he’ll have to win over Whitehall Read more...

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