Local Authority round-up: 25/10/24
24th October, 2024
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.
Healthcare
Final report into Care Quality Commission highlights significant “poor performance”
The final report into the Care Quality Commission (CQC), undertaken by Dr Penny Dash, Chair of the North West London Integrated Care Board, confirmed failings at the CQC in regard to its operational effectiveness. The report stresses the CQC’s poor performance in relation to inspections and a lack of capacity and capability to deliver improvements.
The report stated that the number of inspections being carried out in 2023 was less than half that in 2019, falling from 15,800 to 6,700, and that this was leading to outdated ratings being left up, a backlog in new service provider registration and delays in re-inspection following poor reports.
Seven recommendations for improvement have been advanced including (among others):
To formally pause the assessments of Integrated Care Systems;
Clarify how ratings are calculated to make the results “more transparent”; and
Rebuild expertise within the organisation and relationships with providers in order to restore credibility.
The Government has pledged further action to strengthen patient safety after the final report identified the “significant internal failings” at the CQC.
For more information please click here.
Education
Councils urge the Government to manage SEND deficits
The County Councils Network (CCN) has warned that around three quarters of England’s largest councils could face bankruptcy by 2027 if the multi-billion-pound deficit relating to special educational needs services (SEND) deficits are transferred to their revenue budget.
According to data analysis by the Society of County Treasurers (SCT) and the Association of Local Authority Treasurers (ALATs), rising demand and costs have resulted in England’s 38 county and largest unitary authorities in England accumulating SEND deficits of £2bn this year, a figure estimated to rise to £2.7bn in 2025/26.
The CCN has urged the Government to provide “immediate clarity” and a “national solution” on how the Treasury plans to manage the SEND deficit. The CCN has recommended that a new national framework be introduced, as well as reforms to make mainstream schools more inclusive and supportive for SEND pupils to “reduce the overreliance on special school placements”.
For more information please click here.
Housing
Homes England to invest £30 million to Riverside Sunderland Project
It is reported that Sunderland City Council and Homes England have agreed a £30 million funding package to accelerate the implementation of the Riverside Sunderland project. This is in addition to the previously approved council funding of £49.94 million, taking the total infrastructure investment to almost £80 million.
The project is said to create around 1,000 new homes, new community infrastructure and 1 million square ft of employment space. The works also include finalising the New Wear footbridge as well as create connections between the new residential development sites at Sheepfolds, Vaux and Farringdon Row.
It is hoped that this funding announcement demonstrates a commitment to a long-term partnership between Homes England and North East local authorities.
For more information please click here.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: PFI Update
Join us for our PFI Update on Tuesday 5th November between 10:30am – 12:30pm.
During this session, our experts will explore best practices for the daily management of PFI contracts, review recent case studies, and discuss lessons learned from recent PFI contract expiries.
We will also cover effective strategies and timescales for managing contract expiries, examine potential threats of insolvency from Project Co (with insights from a special guest leading counsel), and delve into PFI case law. Additionally, the session will address the latest trends in dispute resolution.
To register your place, please click here.
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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