Sajid Javid has readdressed his views of local government, saying he ‘loves’ what they do for the country.
Following the communities secretary’s speech to the Local Government Association (LGA), in which he criticised local government on a number of issues including housing inequalities and local plans, Javid rectified his views, praising local government for what it does for the country.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has announced that plans for an east of Bath Park & Ride will not go ahead on either sites B or F.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has launched a new approach to addressing Bath’s issues of traffic and transport, especially to the east of the city.
The Council has launched an integrated transplant plan for Bath to help meet rising demand and reduce the effect of traffic on local people.

Fewer than half of the council websites revamped between 2016 and 2017 have passed key performance tests carried out by Socitm.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is making it easier for companies to supply to government by launching a new, simplified tender pack.
CCS has been working with partners including techUK and the Federation of Small Businesses to design the new pack, which cuts the amount of tender documentation that suppliers need to complete.
The pack sets out all the information in one place and consists of fewer, shorter tender documents. It is in Plain English and also removes irrelevant terms and conditions. Full terms and conditions will be available online.

Oxford City Council is planning to install electric vehicle charging points for taxis in an effort to reduce air pollution.

Liberata, a government process services specialist, has announced that it is extending its contract with Pendle Borough Council.

A new initiative that could see Newcastle’s parks run by a charitable trust is set to take another step forward.
The council’s cabinet is to consider a report outlining how the Trust can be funded soon. It also highlights the results of a major public engagement programme and asks councillors for permission to work up final proposals for a Trust for approval in October.

The government is to review the world of work for gig economy workers and demand an overhaul of employment law and guarantees on the minimum wage.
The workers targeted, newly termed ‘dependent contractors’, should receive benefits such as sick pay and holiday leave, the review will say. Additionally, they will be covered by some of the minimum wage requirements.
This will help to clear up the grey area between a fully employed and a self-employed person which workers for companies like Deliveroo and Uber fall under.

Green spaces should not be viewed as a burden by local authorities, charity says as it launches a new green space map.
The charity Fields in Trust, which is dedicated to defending recreational spaces, has conducted research which suggests a positive association and significant link between green space exposure and health and well-being.
Ahead of The Future of Public Parks: Policy, Practice and Research conference, the charity has also launched an Ordnance Survey green space map to monitor the pressure of development on green spaces.