Media Watch | 54

Media Watch is a weekly round-up of the latest major stories on the local council sector.

The Government’s Autumn Statement 2016:

NALC responded to what was the last Autumn Statement from the Government by saying that this was another major missed opportunity of not listening to communities, neighbourhoods and local councils over service delivery and community leadership (via The Guardian, Local Government Chronicle and Public Finance)

Civic update:

The De Montfort University Local Governance Research Unit and The MJ Councillor Commission has recently published its interim findings. The commission has been travelling the country to explore with councillors (including parish and town councillors) their role, work, motivations and frustrations and what they need to be able to strengthen their office and what it can achieve (via The MJ)

Star Councils 2016:

Young Polegate town councillor is recognised in Star Councils 2016 Awards (via Eastbourne Herald)

The Leader of Farnham Town Council, Cllr Carole Cockburn, has been recognised in the Star Councils 2016 awards run by NALC (via Surrey and Hants News)

Dorset county association’s win in Star Councils 2016 awards is recognised (via Dorset Echo)

Chippenham's chief executive wins national award (via This is Wiltshire)

Parliament:

Council tax referendum principles picked up at CLG committee session with ministers on Monday at 1.06.57 in (via Parliament Live TV)

Create a Council

Development in Swindon on the creation of new parish councils in the local area (via Swindon Advertiser and Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)

Neighbourhood plan

After a recent judgement to upheld St Ives neighbourhood plan there is a look at the repercussions (via The Guardian and The Evening Standard)

Communities are increasingly taking charge of assets from pubs to parks (via Public Finance)