Stop prayers or face being sued, council told – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 13th, 2008 in human rights, local government, news, race discrimination by sally

“A town council is being advised to stop prayers before meetings or face the threat of legal action under race discrimination or human rights laws.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 13th March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Regina (Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and Another) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government – Times Law Reports

Posted March 12th, 2008 in law reports, local government, prerogative powers by sally

Regina (Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and Another) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Court of Appeal

“Proposals to replace two-tier local government in some parts of the country with unitary authorities, made before the necessary statutory powers were in place, were lawful as long as genuine reconsideration had been given to them after the commencement of the relevant Act.”

The Times, 12th March 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Mayor’s aide cleared of fraud – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2008 in corruption, local government, news by sally

“Scotland Yard said yesterday that one of London mayor Ken Livingstone’s closest aides, who has been accused of corruption, had no criminal case to answer.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Livingstone suspends aide Lee Jasper over sleaze claims – The Times

Posted February 15th, 2008 in corruption, local government, news by sally

“Ken Livingstone has suspended one of his most senior advisers and referred allegations against him to the police.”

Full story

The Times, 15th February 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Legal challenge to councils’ mutual – Financial Times

Posted February 11th, 2008 in insurance, local government, London, news by sally

“The private sector will challenge a group of London councils today (11 February) that have banded together to cut insurance costs, in a legal action that could have far-reaching consequences for other public sector bodies in the UK.”

Full story

Financial Times, 11th February 2008

Source: www.ft.com

Borough to become first ‘private practice’ council – The Lawyer

Posted February 4th, 2008 in legal services, local government, news by sally

“A London borough is remodelling its legal services department to mirror that of a private sector law firm.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 4th February 2008

Source: www.thelawyer.com

Baby scalding death council sued – BBC News

Posted January 17th, 2008 in health & safety, local government, news by sally

“The family of a 10-month-old baby who died when a water tank burst above her head in a council house is to take legal action against the authority.”

Full story

BBC News, 16th January 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Brighton to ban ‘murder music’ in clampdown on hate artists – The Times

Posted December 6th, 2007 in freedom of expression, inciting racial hatred, local government, news by sally

“Brighton and Hove is to become the first British city to prohibit art that incites racist, homophobic or sectarian violence.”

Full story

The Times, 6th December 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007

Posted November 13th, 2007 in health, legislation, local government, valuation by sally

Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 published

Full text of Act

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Call to devolve power to councils – BBC News

Posted November 2nd, 2007 in local government, news by sally

“A cross-party group of senior MPs and peers is calling for a genuine devolution of power from Whitehall to local government.”

Full story

BBC News, 2nd November 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Greater London Authority Act 2007

Posted October 29th, 2007 in legislation, local government, London by sally

Greater London Authority Act 2007 published.

Full text of Act

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

£100,000 for abused siblings council failed to take into care – The Guardian

Posted September 17th, 2007 in child abuse, compensation, duty of care, local government, news by sally

“A 39-year-old woman and her two younger siblings have won a total of £100,000 in an out-of-court settlement with Hackney council in east London because it failed to remove them as children from their abusive home.”

Full story

The Guardian, 17th September 2007

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Councils team up for first barrister panel – The Lawyer

Posted August 14th, 2007 in barristers, local government, news by sally

“Three city councils have undertaken the UK’s first ever joint panel review for barristers, appointing 29 sets, including No 5 Chambers, St Phillips [sic] Chambers and Hardwicke Building.”

Full story

The Lawyer, 13th August 2007

Source: www.thelawyer.com

London Local Authorities Act 2007

Posted August 9th, 2007 in legislation, local government by sally

London Local Authorities Act 2007 published

Full text of Act

Source: www.opsi.gov.uk

Nine new councils to be created – BBC News

Posted July 26th, 2007 in local government, news by sally

“The system of councils in England is to be reformed, with the creation of nine new unitary authorities.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th July 2007

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Five London local authorities unite to launch bar panel in bid to slash costs – Legal Week

Posted May 31st, 2007 in barristers, local government, news by sally

“Five London local authorities are combining to create a panel of barristers for the first time, as part of a drive to cut costs.”

Full story

Legal Week, 31st May 2007

Source: www.legalweek.com

Lawrence v. Pembrokeshire County Council – Times Law Reports

Posted May 29th, 2007 in child abuse, duty of care, law reports, local government by sally

Parent is owed no duty of care by children’s social workers

Lawrence v. Pembrokeshire County Council 

Court of Appeal

“The right to respect for family life, guaranteed by article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, did not outweigh the duty of a local authority to protect children at risk by placing them on the Child Protection Register.”

The Times, 29th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

O’Connor and Others v. Wiltshire County Council – Times Law Reports

Posted May 29th, 2007 in law reports, local government, roads by sally

County’s duty as highway authority

O’Connor and Others v. Wiltshire County Council

Court of Appeal

“A county council could not contract out its liability to maintain a public highway even if the highway had been constructed by someone who had not been a highway authority and contribution towards the costs of the construction of the road had been made by a third party.”

The Times, 28th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.

Authorities should analyse risk before sharing data, says privacy chief – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 25th, 2007 in data protection, local government, news by sally

“Local authorities should conduct a risk assessment before sharing personal data with other public bodies. Sharing can be legitimate, but only when the benefits and risks have been weighed up, the Information Commissioner has said.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 25th May 2007

Source: www.out-law.com

Wolverhampton City Council v. Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal and Another – Times Law Reports

Posted May 25th, 2007 in appeals, law reports, local government, special educational needs by sally

Appeal still available

Wolverhampton City Council v. Special Educational Needs and Disabilty Tribunal and Another

Queen’s Bench Division

“Where, even though a local authority’s educational responsibility for a child had lapsed, the council had made a decision to end the statementing of a child then that decision was open to appeal.”

The Times, 25th May 2007

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.