In new research in collaboration with the University of Sussex, we make a series of urgent recommendations for making council finances less opaque during this time of critical challenge and upheaval in local government. | Research for Action
15 July 2025 In a surprise announcement, the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill, published last week, outlined the government’s plans for the Local Audit Office. The government had previously promised to fix the local audit crisis and consulted on a range of ways of doing this, but now some of these measures do not feature in the devolution legislation. The creation of the Local Audit Office (LAO) marks a significant change in the local audit regime. Since the abolition of th...| Research for Action
As the UK Government sets out to reform the local government sector again, this is a clear guide to the mess that English councils currently find themselves in. It focuses on how the government is intervening in failing authorities. In our guide you will find a breakdown of how councils are supposed to function, how they got into this crisis, how the government is currently intervening, and tips for getting more involved yourself.| Research for Action
Dear friends and followers, Summer is in full swing and there’s lots happening in the world of local democracy. Here are some of the most recent news from Research for Action and friends, and a call for help with our current research… Government wants to abolish the committee system – against the will of Sheffield residents In June, the government announced its intent to ‘simplify’ governance arrangements for local authorities in England, effectively forcing all councils to tran...| Research for Action
On 24th June, the government announced its intent to ‘simplify’ governance arrangements for local authorities in England. The proposed legislation would force all councils to transition to the leader and cabinet model, stating that the alternative, the committee system, ‘can be unclear, duplicative, and wasteful, leading to slower, less efficient decision-making’. | Research for Action