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Press release: Inspector appointed to investigate Northamptonshire County Council

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, has today (9 January 2017) appointed an inspector to look into concerns around financial management and governance at Northamptonshire County Council.

Under powers granted to him under the Local Government Act 1999, the Secretary of State can commission an independent inspection to better understand whether a council is complying with its ‘best value’ duty – a legal requirement to ensure good governance and effective management of resources.

The Secretary of State has now has appointed Max Caller CBE to complete a report He will have a legal right to inspect and take away documents, and to access any council properties.

Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, said:

My decision to appoint an inspector is not taken lightly. I hope it sends a strong signal that robust processes are in place to investigate allegations of failures in financial management and governance in local government.

Read the written ministerial statement.

Further information

The best value duty was introduced in England and Wales by the Local Government Act 1999. Its provisions came into force in April 2000. The aim was to improve local services in terms of both cost and quality.

A best value authority must make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness (section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 1999).

Under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999, the Secretary of State may appoint a person to carry out an inspection of a specified best value authority’s compliance with the best value requirements in relation to specified functions.

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street

London
SW1P 4DF

Media enquiries

Social media – MHCLG

Twitter – https://twitter.com/mhclg
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LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/department-for-communities-and-local-government

Link: Press release: Inspector appointed to investigate Northamptonshire County Council
Source: Gov Press Releases

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The Corporation Tax (Simplified Arrangements for Group Relief) (Amendment) Regulations 2018

The Regulations amend the Corporation Tax (Simplified Arrangements for Group Relief) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2975) (“the principal Regulations”). The principal Regulations make provision for simplified arrangements under which corporation tax group relief may be claimed or surrendered by an authorised company acting on behalf of companies in the group. Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 (c. 32) amended the corporation tax group relief provisions to provide for corporation tax group relief in respect of carried-forward losses. The Regulations amend the principal Regulations such that simplified arrangements can be used in respect of corporation tax group relief for carried-forward losses.

Link: The Corporation Tax (Simplified Arrangements for Group Relief) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: Work starts on increased flood protection for Starcross and Cockwood

At Starcross the Environment Agency will install 2 new floodgates at Church Road and Generals Lane slipway. They will also raise the car park levels at the Fishing and Cruising Club.

In Cockwood the harbour wall will be improved with a raised level along Dawlish Road in line with predicted sea level rises. Work is expected to take around 6 months and be finished by summer.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

The storms hitting our coast in the past week demonstrate the importance of tidal defences. We are making a number of improvements to increase the level of flood protection in this area. Across England we are investing £2.6 billion in over 1,500 flood and coastal schemes to help protect homes and businesses at risk.
This important scheme has been designed to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to more than 660 residential and commercial properties.

From 8 January the road around Cockwood harbour, including Church Road and Dawlish Warren road, will be closed to traffic to allow work to be carried out and to ensure public safety. Pedestrians will continue to have access.

Works and road closures have been timed to avoid school holidays and the summer season but we apologise for any inconvenience the closures cause.

Construction of the Starcross and Cockwood tidal defence scheme begins just a few weeks after the £12m Dawlish Warren beach management scheme was opened by Michael Gove. The Dawlish Warren scheme provides increased flood protection to around 2,800 properties in the Exe estuary. Once complete, the Starcross and Cockwood tidal defence scheme is expected to further reduce flood risk for over 660 properties.

Notes to editors

The Environment Agency builds, maintains and improves sea defences to reduce the risk of coastal flooding. About 1.8 million homes are at risk of coastal flooding and erosion in England.

Between 2015 and 2021 the Environment Agency is investing in over 1,500 flood and coastal schemes to help protect homes and businesses at risk.

From 2015 to 2021, the Environment Agency is investing £2.5 billion in flood and coastal erosion risk management projects.

Link: Press release: Work starts on increased flood protection for Starcross and Cockwood
Source: Environment Agency

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The Registered Pension Schemes and Overseas Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018

These Regulations make amendments to the Registered Pension Schemes (Provision of Information) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/567); and the Pension Schemes (Information Requirements for Qualifying Overseas Pension Schemes, Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pensions Schemes and Corresponding Relief) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/208).

Link: The Registered Pension Schemes and Overseas Pension Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The A5 Trunk Road (Llangollen, Denbighshire to Pentrefoelas, Conwy County Borough) (Temporary 40 MPH Speed Restriction and No Overtaking) Order 2018 / Gorchymyn Cefnffordd yr A5 (Llangollen, Sir Ddinbych i Bentrefoelas, Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy) (Cyfyngiad Cyflymder 40 mya Dros Dro a Dim Goddiweddyd) 2018

Link:

The A5 Trunk Road (Llangollen, Denbighshire to Pentrefoelas, Conwy County Borough) (Temporary 40 MPH Speed Restriction and No Overtaking) Order 2018 / Gorchymyn Cefnffordd yr A5 (Llangollen, Sir Ddinbych i Bentrefoelas, Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy) (Cyfyngiad Cyflymder 40 mya Dros Dro a Dim Goddiweddyd) 2018

Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Land Transaction Tax (Administration) (Wales) Regulations 2018 / Rheoliadau Treth Trafodiadau Tir (Gweinyddu) (Cymru) 2018

These Regulations provide for various matters relating to the administration of land transaction tax.

Mae’r Rheoliadau hyn yn darparu ar gyfer materion amrywiol sy’n ymwneud â gweinyddu’r dreth trafodiadau tir.

Link:

The Land Transaction Tax (Administration) (Wales) Regulations 2018 / Rheoliadau Treth Trafodiadau Tir (Gweinyddu) (Cymru) 2018

Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Record fines for company, senior staff and private investigators involved in illegal trade in personal information

A firm of loss adjusters has been fined £50,000 for unlawfully disclosing personal data which had been obtained illegally by senior employees and rogue private investigators.
A director and a senior member of staff at Kent-based Woodgate and Clark Ltd have also been sentenced to record financial…

Link: Record fines for company, senior staff and private investigators involved in illegal trade in personal information
Source: ICO .org.uk