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Local Authority round-up 20/05/19

Our Local Authority round up provides brief summaries of topical information on a weekly basis, to keep you aware of the changes and updates relevant to you.

Brexit

Prime Minister to remain in position until after Brexit vote

Following a meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, it has been confirmed that no decision will be taken as to when Theresa May will leave Downing Street until after MPs vote on her Brexit plan next month.  At the same time, the former Foreign Secretary. Boris Johnson has announced his intentions to run for the Conservative Party leadership, announcing “of course I’m going to go for it”.

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MPs to vote on Brexit bill in early June

With no agreement reached between parties, Theresa May has said that MPs will vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in early June whether or not a deal has been reached, in a bid to leave the EU before the summer recess. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said that if MPs do not vote in favour of the plan in next month’s vote, it will “take us to either the potential of revocation of Article 50 or leaving without a deal.”

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New referendum could help agree a Brexit deal

Cross-party talks continue again this week and there is still no sign of an agreement being made following Theresa May’s Brexit deal already having been rejected three times. If there is no agreement the Prime Minister will ask MPs to vote again on a range of possible options. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer believes that without a new referendum MPs would again vote against any agreement. He said “a cross-party Brexit deal will not get through Parliament unless it is subject to a fresh public vote.” Sir Keir also said he could end talks this week if the PM did not change her position on her “red lines.”

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International Trade Secretary promotes UK trade in Iceland

Following the signing of a trade continuity agreement with Iceland and Norway last month, International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, visited Iceland to promote trade with the UK last week and discuss how this can be increased.  Trade between the UK and Iceland was worth £1.5 million in 2018.  Dr Liam Fox said “we are mutual champions of free trade and, as we leave the European Union, we are committed to an even stronger trading relationship.”  They have already agreed that following Brexit direct flights between the countries can continue without disruption. Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gudlaugur Thórdarson said “Iceland has always underlined the importance of close ties with the UK after Brexit and when the time comes, we look forward to negotiating a deep and comprehensive trade agreement.”

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European Parliament elections “second referendum”

With no agreement reached by Parliament with regards to the UK’s Brexit deal and the UK now not due to leave the EU until 31 October, European elections will be held on 23 May to elect MEPs to the European Union.  Education Secretary Damian Hinds said that “for some people this is the ultimate protest vote opportunity. Actually, ironically this is, in a sense, for some people, this is the second referendum.”

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Chief Brexit negotiator meets with EU to discuss changes to agreement

Olly Robbins has travelled to Brussels to discuss how quickly changes could be made to the political declaration previously agreed in the event that the Government reaches an agreement on the Brexit deal.  Labour negotiators have said that they want any deal they make to be reflected in the political declaration which sets out the parameters for the relationship between the UK and EU post-Brexit and Olly Robbins is now checking whether it is possible for any changes required under any Government agreements could be included.  European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said officials were currently on a “Brexit break”, but would come out of it “if there is something happening in London.”

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Commercial

£105 million investment for Derry-Londonderry region

The Government has announced the Derry-Londonderry region will receive a package worth £105 million as part of a new investment which aims to boost the economic potential of the city.  A £55 million Inclusive Future Fund, included as part of the package, aims to invest in projects which can provide support to young people by providing jobs and skills. It will also build on the economic potential of the university making it more accessible and attractive which a £30 million Derry City & Strabane City Deal will be used to enhance the region’s innovation and digital capabilities.

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Government provides £200 million funding for cladding replacement

Following the Government’s funding for the work involved in social housing developments, the Government will now provide funding of around £200 million to privately owned high-rise buildings to speed up vital cladding replacement.  The funding comes after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government identified that only 10 out of an identified 176 private high-rise residential buildings have complete work to replace unsafe cladding.  Building owners will have three months to access the fund, however they will be required to take reasonable steps to recover the costs from those responsible for the unsafe cladding.

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Communities secretary confirms new councils will be created in Northamptonshire

Following an independent inspection of Northamptonshire County Council, in which seven of the eight councils submitted proposals for a reorganisation to two councils, the Government conducted a consultation in November 2018 which received 386 responses.  Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has now confirmed that the existing councils will be abolished and replaced by two new councils.  It is hoped the new councils will improve the delivery of public services.

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Regulatory

Long-term strategy launched to tackle flooding and coastal change

The Environment Agency is launching an eight-week consultation on a new strategy to tackle flooding and coastal change with an aim for all infrastructure to be flood resilient by 2050.  The consultation includes recommendations for the Environment Agency to work with partners across the country to develop consistent standards by providing tools which allow them to control how they prepare for and respond to flooding.

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LGA recommends tougher punishments for fly-tippers

The Government introduced new guidelines in 2014 which provided a maximum £50,000 fine and 12-month prison sentence for fly-tipping. However analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) reports that no one has been given the maximum penalties.  Recent statistics show that fly-tipping, incidents are up 39.6% since 2012 and the LGA as now asking for the Government to review guidance to the courts to ensure the worst offenders receive tough penalties and sentences.  Councils are reported to have taken action on 494,034 incidents in 2017/18 and the LGA is also recommending that the Spending Review ensures councils have sufficient funding to deal with these cases.  Cllr Martin Tett, Chairman of the LGA’s Environment Board, said “councils are doing everything they can to try and deter fly-tippers. However, prosecuting them often requires time-consuming and laborious investigations, with a high threshold of proof, at a time when councils face significant budget pressures.”

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Higher-skills jobs boost employment rate

Figures published from the Office for National Statistics on 14 May recorded that UK unemployment has fallen by 3.8%.  With 14.8 million people now employed in higher-skills roles they now make up over 75% of the growth in employment.  Female unemployment rates have fallen to a record low of 3.7%.  Over 32 million people are now employed in the UK which is an increase of over 3.6 million since 2010.  Minister of State for Employment, Alok Sharma said “rising wages and booming higher-skilled employment means better prospects for thousands of families, and with youth unemployment halving since 2010, we are creating opportunities for all generations.”

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LGA urges Government to announce youth offending budgets

Whilst town halls have set their 2019/20 budgets in March, the Government has not yet confirmed how much councils will receive this year in order to plan services to support young people and keep them out of the youth justice system.  Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said “Councils are determined to do all they can to protect young people and keep them safe, but their efforts are being seriously hampered by the lack of clarity around such a vital source of funding.”  Youth offending teams have faced significant cuts to budgets over previous years which halved from £145 million in 2010/11 to £71.5 million in 2018/19.

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Planning and housing

Government provides £8.5 million for discounted homes

From Monday 13 May volunteer groups will be able to apply for £10,000 to £50,000 as part of a fund launched by Housing Minister Kit Malthouse MP to support the delivery of discounted homes which will be available for three years (13 May 2019 to 31 March 2022) under a pilot project.  The funds can be used to identify suitable sites, get planning permission and provide technical support in a bid to provide discounted homes and forms part of the Government’s aim to deliver 300,000 properties a year by the mid 2020s.

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Government provides £1.9 million to improve health of rough sleepers

As part of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy, it will provide £1.9 million to councils by Public Health England to help improve the health of rough sleepers by funding projects which improve access to health services and continued care for people with mental ill-health and substance misuse problems who are sleeping rough or are at risk of returning to rough sleeping.  Applicants can apply for a share of the funding by submitting a completed expression of interest by 5pm on Friday 5 July 2019.  Inequalities Minister, Jackie Doyle-Price, said: “understanding the factors that can lead to homelessness and the triggers that can trap people in a pattern of addiction and sleeping rough, coupled with a lack of support for their mental health, is crucial. This funding will help better equip local authorities to protect society’s most vulnerable and ensure no one slips through the net.”

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Upcoming seminars

As you may well know we run a programme of seminars on a wide range of topics. Listed below are those seminars coming up which we feel may be of interest to you. Please click on the links for further information and to book your place. You can see our full programme of upcoming events by clicking here.

PFI Law Update 2019

Join us at one of our annual PFI Law Update roadshows, hosted by our award-winning Public Sector team. You will be in the hands of a team acknowledged as the best advisors in this sector making these sessions essential for those seeking the latest insight into the topical issues, opportunities and risks of the PFI landscape.

Thursday 23rd May 2019 (Newcastle morning)
Thursday 23rd May 2019 (Newcastle afternoon)
Wednesday 5th June 2019 (London)

Public Sector Property Update

Join us at our next Public Sector Property update where our legal experts will ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest developments and changes affecting property, land and estates in the Public Sector.

Wednesday 12th June 2019 (Newcastle)

GDPR – a year in the life

Now one year on from the implementation of GDPR, join us at this breakfast briefing where our data protection specialists will take a practical look at data protection 12 months on, the impact of GDPR so far and what we can continue to learn going forward.

Wednesday 19th June 2019 (Leeds)

If you have any questions about the issues raised in this update, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.

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