Council tax is set to rise in 95 per cent of councils as a direct result of concerns for their financial stability.

Greener Journeys has said that current guidance for councils on Clean Air Zones fails to promote a shift away from car use to cleaner modes of transport.

Liverpool City Council has ended its contract with Amey and taken back control of looking after the city’s highways.

Reports have suggested that a Norwegian deposit-based system for recycling bottles is being heavily considered for adoption in the UK.
The scheme, which Norway claimed is the most cost-efficient way of tackling plastic litter, contributes to a large reduction of plastic litter in the environment and seas with 97 per cent of bottles being recycled. Figures show that in the UK only around half of all plastic bottles get recycled.

Two Commons Select Committees have voiced concerns over the government’s funding plans for supported housing.

The LGA has said that every secondary school in the country should be given the funding to offer independent mental health counselling to all pupils.

An additional £166 million has been announced for councils to help relieve spending pressures in social care and rural areas in the final 2018/19 settlement.

A review of foster care in England has been published, recommending greater stability and permanence for young people in foster care.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has launched a housing repairs and maintenance company to improve services for tenants and raise housing standards.