Local authorities’ statutory powers to override third party land rights will apply to a wider range of public schemes, says expert – OUT-LAW.com

‘Local authorities and regeneration bodies can expect greater scrutiny to be placed on their decisions to override third party rights in land on public interest grounds under new UK planning laws that came into effect in the summer.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 21st September 2016

Source: www.out-law.com

Judge voices fears over ‘relentless rise’ in child care cases following Baby P tragedy – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 21st, 2016 in care orders, child abuse, child neglect, judges, local government, news, statistics by tracey

‘The effect of the Baby P case has contributed to a “crisis” in the children’s care system, the president of the High Court’s Family Division has said. Sir James Munby called for urgent research into why the number of cases in which children can be separated from their parents on the application of a council had more than doubled in the last decade.’

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Latest view from the President’s Chambers

Daily Telegraph, 20th September 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Hard cases need better reasons – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted September 20th, 2016 in appeals, human rights, local government, news, planning by tracey

‘R (o.t.a. CPRE Kent) v. Dover District Council [2016] EWCA Civ 936, 14 September 2016. The Court of Appeal has just given us a robust vindication of the importance of giving proper reasons when granting planning permission, by way of a healthy antidote to any suggestion that this is not really needed as part of fairness.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 16th September 2016

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Libraries – Local Government Law

Posted September 20th, 2016 in libraries, local government, news, Wales by tracey

‘In R (Tilley) v Vale of Glamorgan Council [2016] EWHC 2272 (QB), in the Administrative Court in Wales, Lewis J concluded that the Council’s Cabinet Decision to establish five community libraries was lawful.’

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Local Government Law, 16th September 2016

Source: www.11kbw.com/blogs/local-government-law

Council defeats High Court challenge to establishment of community libraries – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 15th, 2016 in equality, libraries, local government, news, Wales by tracey

‘A Welsh council has successfully defended a High Court challenge to its decision to establish five community libraries.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 14th September 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Care workers sue council contractor in minimum wage battle – BBC News

Posted September 14th, 2016 in care workers, employment tribunals, local government, minimum wage, news, trade unions by tracey

‘Seventeen care workers are alleging failure to be paid the minimum wage in the sector’s biggest ever legal claim.’

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BBC News, 14th September 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Housing applicant wins challenge after accepting offer ‘under protest’ – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 13th, 2016 in homelessness, housing, local government, news by sally

‘The London Borough of Brent was perverse to characterise acceptance while seeking review as refusal in a homelessness case.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 13th September 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

A compendium of vulnerability cases – Nearly Legal

‘Following on from our post on Mohammed v Southwark LBC, here are notes on a further three appeals to the County Court under section 204 Housing Act 1996, all related to decisions on priority need (or lack of it) through vulnerability.’

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Nearly Legal, 12th September 2016

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Duties of Local Authorities to Unaccompanied Migrant Children – Family Law Week

Posted September 9th, 2016 in care orders, children, EC law, local government, news, refugees by tracey

‘Jennifer Kotilaine, barrister of 42 Bedford Row, analyses the duties of local authorities to unaccompanied migrant children in the light of the House of Lords European Union Select Committee’s recent critical report on the subject.’

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Family Law Week, 1st September 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Homeless young offenders’ housing criticised by report – BBC News

Posted September 7th, 2016 in children, homelessness, housing, local government, news, reports, young offenders by sally

‘A third of homeless 16 and 17-year-old offenders in England and Wales are being placed in unsafe or unsuitable accommodation, a report has found.’

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BBC News, 7th September 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Make health material consideration in planning and licensing law: MPs – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 2nd, 2016 in health, licensing, local government, news, planning, select committees by sally

‘The Government must make good on its commitment to health in all policies by enshrining health as a material consideration in planning and licensing law, MPs have said.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st September 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ombudsman criticises council after man left in unsuitable care home – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 2nd, 2016 in autism, care homes, compensation, complaints, local government, news, ombudsmen by sally

‘A local authority has agreed to pay £2,000 to a man left in an unsuitable care home for 11 months longer than he should have been.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st September 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Councils warned to expect large number of appeals over “pay to stay” – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 31st, 2016 in appeals, housing, local government, news, rent by sally

‘Councils can expect costly challenges and appeals as more than 70,000 social housing tenants face £1,000 a year average rent rises under the ‘pay to stay’ regime.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 30th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Campaigners bring in lawyers in bid to stop closure of A&E department – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 31st, 2016 in consultations, hospitals, local government, news by sally

‘Law firm Leigh Day is representing the SOS Grantham Hospital campaign group in its bid to try to prevent the partial closure of its A&E department by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 30th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

What do points mean? (No prizes) – Nearly Legal

Posted August 30th, 2016 in children, homelessness, housing, interpretation, local government, news by sally

‘Another allocation judicial review, related, but perhaps distinct from the line of ‘reasonable preference’ cases we have previously seen. The issue, in part, Islington’s use of a ‘points threshold’ for allowing bidding for properties, though not for qualification to the register.’

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Nearly Legal, 29th August 2016

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Lack of UK law requiring lifeguards on all beaches means ‘varied presence’ – The Guardian

Posted August 30th, 2016 in accidents, health & safety, holidays, local government, news by sally

‘After a number of water-related deaths in the past week, industry groups call for more safety information for beachgoers.’

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The Guardian, 26th August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Strip club to go to court to challenge licence renewal refusal – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 26th, 2016 in appeals, licensing, local government, news, sex establishments by sally

‘A Leicester strip club is to go to a magistrates’ court to challenge the city council’s refusal to renew its licence.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Former councillor jailed for supplying false information ahead of election – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 25th, 2016 in elections, electoral register, fraud, local government, news, sentencing by sally

‘An ex-councillor has been jailed for two months after pleading guilty to supplying false information to an electoral registration officer.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 24th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

MPs urge action on “significant” legal loophole in taxi licensing – Local Government Lawyer

Posted August 22nd, 2016 in codes of practice, licensing, local government, news, parliament, taxis by sally

‘MPs have called on the Government to address a “damaging and significant legal loophole” that allows taxis licensed by other local authorities to operate within Rotherham, even if the drivers have had their application for a Rotherham licence rejected.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th August 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Woman gets £2m over near-drowning in school swimming lesson – The Guardian

‘A woman who won a judgment against her local authority after she nearly drowned during a school swimming lesson 16 years ago has been awarded £2m in compensation.’

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The Guardian, 21st August 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk