Finance

DHSC opens consultation on tackling modern slavery in NHS procurement

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched a consultation on proposed regulations and guidance aimed at combating modern slavery in NHS procurement. The draft National Health Service (Procurement, Slavery and Human Trafficking) Regulations 2024 seek to ensure that NHS supply chains and business activities are free from ethical and labour standards abuses. The consultation invites views from public bodies, suppliers and the public on various aspects, including implementation strategies, impact assessment, risk management in procurement frameworks and support mechanisms for public bodies to fulfil these new duties. This initiative aligns with the government's stance that the NHS has a crucial role in addressing modern slavery through its procurement practices. The consultation closes 13 February 2025.

DLUHC launches consultation on Right to Buy reforms to protect social housing

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched an eight week consultation on proposed reforms to the Right to Buy scheme. Key measures under consideration include extending the minimum tenancy period for eligibility, exempting newly built social homes from the scheme and introducing targets for councils to replace sold stock. The government has already reduced maximum Right to Buy discounts to £16,000 - £38,000 and increased the cost floor protection period to 30 years. Councils can now retain all receipts from sales and the scheme will not be extended to housing associations. These reforms aim to create a more sustainable Right to Buy programme while protecting and increasing social housing stock amidst unprecedented housing pressures.

Local Government weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes expert analysis of the decisions in Kerr v Poplar HARCA on whether the court had jurisdiction to vary a suspended possession order (SPO) to make an outright order for possession on the grounds of anti-social behaviour, and Smallbrook v BCC where the court examined the tension between proposals seeking to reuse and repurpose buildings and those seeking to demolish and rebuild them. Case reports include the decision in Nottingham CC v Housing 35 Plus Ltd where the court ruled that co-operative society's management structure failed to meet HMO licensing exemption requirements; Cygnet Health Care Limited v CQC on applications to amend judicial review grounds after permission had been granted, in accordance with CPR 54.15, PD 12.1, and PD 12.4; CG Fry & Son Ltd v SSLUHC on an appeal concerning habitats regulations and the discharge of planning conditions and, finally, Wyldecrest Parks Management Ltd v North Northamptonshire on a decision regarding licensing conditions for a residential caravan site. This weekly highlights also includes further updates on Public procurement, Social housing, Children's social care, Social care, Governance and Planning.

LGSCO finds Worcestershire Council failed looked after child with special needs

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has reported that Worcestershire County Council, through its company Worcestershire Children First, failed a looked after a child with special educational needs. LGSCO's investigation revealed that the child missed over five terms of education and two years of necessary therapy due to the council's inadequate understanding of the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system. The council exceeded statutory timelines for updating the child's Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan by more than a year and demonstrated a lack of basic knowledge regarding their powers to name specific schools in the plan. The Ombudsman has ordered the council to pay £11,060 in compensation and to review staff training to address the systemic issues identified in the report.