Read the latest news from the world of local government
The government should not interfere with local authority pay settlements, or strike action could be the result, it has been claimed.
Newcastle City Council is to cut 60 managerial jobs as it looks to make the sort of cost savings it predicts all authorities will need to achieve in the near future.
Councils could benefit from extra powers but they need to demonstrate that they will make good use of them, according to John Denham.