Local Authority round up – 28/02/25
28th February, 2025
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.
Regulatory
The Government has launched Raneem’s Law
Raneem’s Law has been launched, with West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Humberside Police pioneering the introduction of domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms. This aims to ensure that victims of domestic abuse receive expert support.
Raneem’s Law was established in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in August 2018. There were 13 reports made to the police regarding concerns for Raneem’s safety, and on the night Raneem was killed, she rang 999 on four occasions but the police did not respond in time.
It is anticipated that such domestic abuse specialists will enable calls for help to be properly assessed, managed and responded to.
Specifically, their duties can include:
- Providing advice to officers responding to incidents on the ground;
- Reviewing incoming domestic abuse cases and their risk assessments;
- Listening in to live calls and providing feedback to call handlers on victim engagement;
- Facilitating training sessions on domestic abuse; and
- Manually assess the decisions made by 999 call handlers and identifying any missed opportunities to safeguard victims.
For more information please click here.
Health and Social Care
Hospices set to receive £25 million investment
The Government has announced that hospices will begin receiving £25 million for facility upgrades and refurbishments immediately for the 2024/25 financial year, with a further £75 million to follow from April. It is anticipated that more than 170 hospices will receive funding.
The additional funding will enable hospices to purchase new medical equipment, undertake building refurbishments, improve technology, upgrade facilities for patients and families and implement energy efficiency measures.
The larger £75 million investment will support more substantial capital projects, including major building works and facility modernisation.
The investment in hospices will ensure patients receive compassionate care in comfortable, dignified surroundings during their most vulnerable moments.
For more information please click here.
Housing
The Government responds to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
The Grenfell Tower inquiry Phase Two Report, released on 4 September 2024, contained 58 recommendations, of which the Government accepted 49 in full, and 9 in principle, stating that they required “further consideration”.
The seven organisations involved in the tragedy will be investigated under debarment powers in the new Procurement Act 2023, which could result in their exclusion from bidding for public sector contracts.
Reforms announced by the Government include:
- A new single construction regulator to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account;
- The official fire safety guidance, known as Approved Document B (ADB), will be reviewed and revised, and the legal definition of “higher-risk building” will also be revised;
- A legal duty of candour through a new Hillsborough Law, compelling public authorities to disclose the truth, ensuring transparency in major incidents, and holding those responsible for failures to account; and
- Empowering social housing residents to challenge landlords and demand safe, high-quality housing, by expanding the Four Million Homes training programme.
The Government also published a new Construction Products Reform Green Paper which outlined possible penalties for companies found to have breached safety obligations.
For more information please click here.
Upcoming events
Essential HR Training
Join our expert Business Immigration team on Tuesday 11th March at 10am for our online ‘Essential HR Training’.
This training will focus on the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (“ETA”) scheme which will be fully rolled out in the UK by 2 April 2025. We will provide in-depth guidance on the new scheme during the webinar, addressing potential issues that businesses need to be aware.
This session is aimed at HR professionals, business owners and business leaders. It will be of particular interest for businesses with a global workforce who regularly travel to the UK for work related activities.
To book your place please click here.
Employment Law Update
Join our expert Employment Team on Tuesday 18th March at 10am for our online Employment Law Update.
In this webinar, our expert Employment Lawyers will look at recent changes in legislation and case law in the world of employment law in the last 6 months, as well as reviewing progress on the Employment Rights’ Bill and other proposed changes.
To book 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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