Mayors given powers to green light developments
Mayors across England will be granted ‘call‑in’ powers to take the most important planning decisions in their areas, allowing them to approve or intervene in major local development projects.
UK policy, filtered.
Everything government, Parliament, the statistical agencies and the major policy institutes published — read, summarised and ranked so you can skim the day in a minute.
483 articles · 25 live sources · updated 1h ago
Whitehall officials to be posted into mayors' offices as PM marks first month of No10 North
Whitehall will second officials into mayoral authorities so departments work directly with mayors, marking the largest transfer of central government capacity to local leaders to date under the PM’s No10 North programme.
From shared challenges to adaptive cities: Reflections from the UCLG World Congress
Reflections from the UCLG World Congress stress that city governments are increasingly tasked with tackling climate action, equality, care, inclusive public services, paradiplomacy and gender gaps in leadership, drawing on global local-government discussions.
Government adopts SMF recommendation to scrap ‘aim to permit’, handing councils control over high street gambling venues
The Social Market Foundation welcomes government acceptance of its recommendation to scrap the 'Aim to Permit' rule, meaning councils will gain control over whether Adult Gaming Centres can operate on local high streets.
Apparently central planning is bad now
Argues against central planning and reflects on a 2004 NEF survey finding that UK high streets became 'clone towns' dominated by uniform chain stores, reducing local distinctiveness.
Mayors will be key to Burnham’s housing ambitions
Argues that metro mayors will be central to Andy Burnham’s housing plans, setting out how combined authority powers and mayoral leadership will be needed to deliver his stated housing ambitions.
Dynamic Capabilities: A conversation Europe’s cities cannot afford to miss
Argues European cities need ‘dynamic capabilities’ as leaders confront the green transition, poverty, affordable housing and digital disruption under constrained budgets; cites an Eurocities Mayors Pulse Survey of 88 mayors showing persistent financial pressures.
More than 225 cities have joined the Public Sector Capabilities Index. Has yours?
More than 225 cities have signed up to the Public Sector Capabilities Index: City Edition, creating the first global dataset on how city governments build, adapt and deliver public value across metropolitan and smaller municipalities.
Building Capability, Delivering Outcomes: Why Cities Need Capability Investment Portfolios
Makes the case that city capability is fundamental to the success of investments in housing, transport, climate adaptation and services, and proposes ‘capability investment portfolios’ to ensure public funds build lasting institutional capacity.