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County Councils Network
News Archive 2016
Health & Social Care in Counties: Funding, Demand & Cost Pressures Health & Social Care in Counties: Funding, Demand & Cost Pressures During 2015, LG Futures were commissioned by CCN to undertake an analysis in relation to health & social care funding and expenditure. For the first time, this new analysis maps social care and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) funding to local authority boundaries. The research examines the comparative levels of funding and potential demand and cost pressures for CCN members compared to other authority types.
CCN in the Press: Local Government Finance Settlement (January 2016) CCN in the Press: Local Government Finance Settlement (January 2016) CCN has been working hard on behalf of its members to make an evidence-based case to Government highlighting how the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement will impose disproportionate reductions in funding on county areas, particularly in 2016/17 & 2017/18.
CCN Reaction to Announcement of Final Local Government Finance Settlement CCN Reaction to Announcement of Final Local Government Finance Settlement Yesterday (8/02/16) Greg Clark announced the final Local Government Finance Settlement. Cllr Paul Carter, CCN Chairman, has responded to this stating that the final settlement was well received, but still remains extremely challenging.
CCN in the Press: Local Government Finance Settlement (February 2016) CCN in the Press: Local Government Finance Settlement (February 2016) CCN's submission to Government on the Local Government Finance Settlement and policy positions have continued to receive media coverage in the trade and local press.
CCN Response to Budget 2016 Announcement CCN Response to Budget 2016 Announcement The County Councils Network Chairman, Cllr Paul Carter, responds to the Budget 2016 and the implications for local government.
CCN in the Press: March 2016 CCN in the Press: March 2016 The County Councils Network were referenced on a number of occasions in the trade media in March. Stories covered a range of topics including the Budget, New Homes Bonus and Devolution.
CCN voices concerns over academisation CCN voices concerns over academisation The County Councils Network has warned there is a 'grave risk' that education standards won't improve if the Government's plan to force all schools to become academies becomes policy.
Government responds to CCN's academy concerns Government responds to CCN's academy concerns After the County Councils Network raised concerns about forced academisation, the Government could be set to change its policy.
CCN chairman writes in The Telegraph on schools debate CCN chairman writes in The Telegraph on schools debate The County Councils Network's chairman Paul Carter has penned an opinion piece for the Telegraph, where he calls on Whitehall to work with councils on education reforms.
County leaders welcome Government climbdown over academies plan County leaders welcome Government climbdown over academies plan County Councils and County Unitaries in England have welcomed an announcement by the Education Secretary that they will no longer force all schools in England to become academies.
CCN in the news: Government announces academies climbdown CCN in the news: Government announces academies climbdown After the County Councils Network raised concerns over the Government's forced academisation policy, the national media approached CCN to get its take when the Department for Education announced a climbdown on the policy.
CCN in the press: May 2016 CCN in the press: May 2016 The County Councils Network was referenced several times in both the trade and national media in May. Coverage included stories on academisation, potential local government reorganisation, business rates, and the Bus Services Bill.
Ministers urged to make bus franchising available to all county authorities Ministers urged to make bus franchising available to all county authorities Council leaders have written to Ministers urging them to make bus franchising powers available to county authorities, otherwise rural areas face being left behind in public transport reforms.
County councils call for additional funding after delayed transfers cost NHS £300million County councils call for additional funding after delayed transfers cost NHS £300million Delayed transfers of care in county areas cost the NHS over £300million last year, prompting calls for additional funding to help councils stay afloat.
CCN reacts to Brexit CCN reacts to Brexit The electorate have spoken, expressing their wish to will leave the European Union. For local government and CCN member councils, this decision will have major implications.
CCN in the press: June 2016 CCN in the press: June 2016 The County Councils Network was referenced several times in the trade press during June. Coverage included stories on the Bus Services Bill, business rates, delayed transfers of care, and Brexit.
County leaders react to new Prime Minister and Communities Secretary appointments County leaders react to new Prime Minister and Communities Secretary appointments County Councils Network chairman Paul Carter has congratulated both Theresa May, who has become the new Prime Minister, and Sajid Javid, who has been appointed Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
Counties offer both stability and solutions for the new Government Counties offer both stability and solutions for the new Government County Councils Network chairman Paul Carter has written a comprehensive piece for Conservative Home, outlining a wide ranging devolution agenda for county areas.
CCN in the press: July 2016 CCN in the press: July 2016 In what was a hugely busy month politically; CCN was referenced in the press on several occasions. Coverage included CCN's response to the new Prime Minister and DCLG Secretary of State appointments, Brexit, schools funding, and children's services.
New Report: Independent Study on Business Rates Retention in County Areas New Report: Independent Study on Business Rates Retention in County Areas A new independent study by Pixel Financial Management, commissioned by the County Councils Network, explores the implications of full business rates retention in county areas.
100% Business Rate Retention: Joint Statement from CCN, DCN, and RSN on shared principles 100% Business Rate Retention: Joint Statement from CCN, DCN, and RSN on shared principles The County Councils Network (CCN), District Councils’ Network (DCN) and Rural Services Network (RSN) have jointly welcomed the Government’s intention to move to 100% retention of business rates by 2020. Clearly this is ambitious, complex, and challenging, but our networks can support this if it enables further devolution, ensures key services are sustainable over time, and allows localism to flourish.
CCN in the press: August 2016 CCN in the press: August 2016 CCN was referenced several times in the press during August. Coverage included stories on the Your County Matters campaign, CCN's business rate research, and devolution.
CCN in the press: September 2016 CCN in the press: September 2016 CCN was referenced in the trade and local media several times in September. Coverage included stories on the full business rate retention consultation, devolution, and CCN's new vice chairman
Ending education grants will impact on school standards, county leaders warn Ending education grants will impact on school standards, county leaders warn County leaders have warned cutting an education grant is 'academisation by the back door', with at least two thirds of the country's academies buying school improvement services from their local councils.
CCN sets out evidence on potential local government reorganisation CCN sets out evidence on potential local government reorganisation The County Councils Network (CCN) has today published two independent studies looking into potential local government reorganisation in county areas.
CCN Chairman's Conference speech: Cllr Paul Carter warns against fragmenting public services CCN Chairman's Conference speech: Cllr Paul Carter warns against fragmenting public services The County Councils Network (CCN) chairman has today warned the threat of undermining county governance could derail the devolution agenda and damage public services at a critical time of where demand is increasing.
Care funding cuts could lead to a ‘terminal’ impact on services and hold back health integration, report warns Care funding cuts could lead to a ‘terminal’ impact on services and hold back health integration, report warns Just one in ten adult social care directors believe their budgets are now manageable, as the Government is warned care funding cuts in county areas could soon be ‘terminal.’
CCN in the press: October 2016 CCN in the press: October 2016 CCN was referenced in the both the trade and national media several times during October, including national stories on the needs-based review, Education Services Grant, and academisation.
Watch the Your County Matters video Watch the Your County Matters video Watch CCN's new video, showcasing the importance of county governance, and how your county works, thrives, and cares.
CCN response to the Autumn Statement CCN response to the Autumn Statement The County Councils Network responds to the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.
CCN in the press: November 2016 CCN in the press: November 2016 CCN was referenced several times in the national and trade press during November, in articles on the Local Growth Fund, the Autumn Statement, the Education Services Grant, CCN's studies on potential local government reorganisation, and CCN's latest adult social care report.
CCN response to the Local Government Finance Settlement CCN response to the Local Government Finance Settlement CCN responds to today's DCLG announcement on the Local Government Finance Settlement.