A consortium, including Manchester City Council, has been successful in its bid to join global UNESCO Cities of Literature network.

The 2017 RAC Report on Motoring has revealed that one half of UK drivers believe traffic on major roads has increased.
Of the 1,727 drivers questioned over traffic levels on motorways, A-roads and high-speed dual carriageways, 56 per cent were convinced congestion had worsened. Approximately 65 per cent of vehicle miles are driven on these types of road.
Specifically, 61 per cent of respondents claimed that journey times had increased on motorways – which carry 21 per cent of UK traffic despite accounting for just one per cent of the network.

Local Government Minister Marcus Jones has announced a new approach to encourage the supply of a wide range of supported housing.
As part of the government plans, a proposed ‘sheltered rent’ for sheltered and extra care housing will keep rent and service charge at an appropriate level, protecting the housing needs of older and vulnerable people.

Cambridge City Council is seeking to reduce congestion by changing the cost of parking in the council’s car parks.

The Environment Agency has published data, case studies and evidence about the role of natural flood management in reducing flood risk.
Natural flood management is when natural processes are used to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. The system works best when a ‘catchment based approach’ is taken, where a plan is developed to manage the flow of water along the whole length of a river catchment from its source to sea.

Since its launch in 2012, one in five councils are using the MetalMatters recycling campaign to increase the metal packaging captured at kerbside.
Nine councils have launched MetalMatters campaigns in 2017, seven of which having been launched since the beginning of September, meaning that 5.3 million households have now received MetalMatters messages directly through their door.

Enfield Council has chosen Sungard Availability Services to manage its hybrid IT infrastructure and increase efficiency by 30 per cent.
The London council is a leading authority in digital engagement, with an artificial intelligence (AI) contact centre programme capable of answering citizens’ questions at 60 per cent of the human cost. Enfield is the first council in the country to deploy such technology.

Two-thirds of councillors feel they do not have enough funding to provide universal services for children and families.

The WHO has reported that 44 of the UK’s 51 cities and towns listed on its air quality database have air considered too dangerous to breathe.

A mass switch to LED streetlights could save the UK’s councils over £200 million per year combined, new figures have revealed.
The figures, produced by climate charity 10:10 and compiled by energy expert Chris Goodall using data from a series of councils across the UK, put into clear detail the benefits of switching to the more efficient lighting. In addition to saving councils £200 million a year, we could save over 600,000 tonnes of carbon a year - the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars from the road.