Council tax set to soar
Press Review 5 January 2005
The Daily Mail reports that millions of homeowners are facing council tax rises of four times the level of inflation.
Prescott set to empower communities
Press Review 5 January 2005
Communities may get powers to run services like street cleaning, parks and neighbourhood wardens under new government plans.
Prescott's council is 'worst' in the country
Press Review 16 December 2004
John Prescott's local council in Hull has been rated the worst in England by the Audit Commission.
Local government promised more cash
News Article 2 December 2004
The chancellor has promised extra funding for local authorities in a bid to keep down council tax rises ahead of the general election.
Brown bids to keep council tax down
Press Review 2 December 2004
Whitehall departments have reacted furiously to a Treasury attempt to find more cash to keep council tax rises down.
Westminster aims to scrap council tax
News Article 1 December 2004
A London local authority has announced an "aspiration" to charge no council tax within the next eight years.
Councils shy away from borrowing powers
Press Review 26 November 2004
The Local Government Association has revealed that only 37 per cent of councils have taken up new borrowing powers as town halls are wary of pushing up property taxes to cover repayments.
'Woolly talk on railways masks threat to local services'
News Article 19 November 2004
Talk of a "bright future" for Britain's railways is not matched by any detailed plans to expand the rail network, Transport 2000 has said.
Star ratings show mixed results in social care
News Article 18 November 2004
The latest star ratings for social care have shown eight local authorities are still failing to meet minimum standards.
Brown set to assist local authorities
Press Review 16 November 2004
Gordon Brown is set to assist local authorities with extra funding.
Tories plan to scrap council watchdog
News Article 12 November 2004
The watchdog that rules on complaints made against councillors would be scrapped by the Tories under plans to cut red tape.
Councils should offer gypsies land say MPs
News Article 8 November 2004
MPs have urged councils to set aside land for gypsies and travellers.
Lib Dems on council tax offensive
Press Review 5 November 2004
A Liberal Democrat survey has found that one in three council tax payers will face massive increases after the next general election.
Licensing shake-up 'could lead to council tax rise'
Press Review 29 October 2004
Plans to relax licensing laws could lead to higher council taxes next year as authorities employ extra staff to cope with the additional administration, ministers have been warned.
Community cash 'boosting participation'
News Article 25 October 2004
A government programme to boost community involvement in local decisions is proving effective, parliament's financial watchdog has reported.
