The Prime Minister Theresa May has announced new funding to tackle climate change as she attends the One Planet Summit in Paris.
The UK will provide a £140 million boost to poorer communities around the world which are affected by climate change whether through deforestation or vulnerability to natural disasters and climate extremes. This will include an additional £30 million through DFID’s Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) programme.

More than 90 per cent of MPs believe that converting empty spaces above shops can help reverse the current housing crisis, new research has shown.
The survey results, which have been published alongside a new research report by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) entitled Homes on our high streets, shows that MPs believe converting empty spaces above shops could have a number of positive consequences.

Northamptonshire County Council’s new economic report has highlighted its importance of being part of Britain’s ‘silicon valley’.
In his Budget, Chancellor Phillip Hammond endorsed proposals for the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge growth corridor and associated road and rail links, which would be the focus of new housing and economic expansion.
The blueprint for the proposal by the National Infrastructure Commission incorporates parts of Northamptonshire.

Health services in Somerset have received a £60,000 financial boost to help ‘Social Prescribing’ take a leap forward.
‘Social Prescribing’ links people with health problems into practical and emotional support in communities and the voluntary sector.
Participants meet with a professional to identify which ongoing practical, emotional and community support can best help them achieve their goals.

Oxford City Council is extending its activation of its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for rough sleepers for at least two further nights.
The city council operates SWEP in consultation with local partners St Mungo’s, The Porch, Simon House and Homeless Oxfordshire.
The protocol was invoked following the snow and sub-zero overnight temperatures in Oxford recently.

Derby City Council approveds plans to create additional bed spaces in a number of its care homes, in order to relieve winter pressures on the NHS.
The council is to construct a hospital discharge unit at Arboretum House, offering 10 extra beds to be used for patients who need additional care, but do not need to be in hospital.
As well as this, Perth House (PH) will be enhanced to make all 36 of their beds available for hospital discharges.
This provides beds for vulnerable people and will free up precious beds within the NHS.

Liverpool City Council’s £1 billion Paddington Village scheme has been given a £12 million boost from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

More than 500 child protection investigations were started every day on average last year by councils concerned about children at risk of harm, the LGA has revealed.

A new franchise, managed by a consortium of local councils, will usher in a new era of rail travel for passengers in the West Midlands.