MHCLG Guidance published on 21 October 2026 provides an overview of (1) how local authorities in England are monitored, scrutinised and held accountable, and how public money is safeguarded and (2) how intervention can occur when governance and//or performance concerns arise.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
October 26th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Decision making and Contracts
DISCRIMINATION
October 26th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Human Rights and Public Sector Equality DutyIn R ( CKT ) v Twyford Church of England Academies Trust (2026) EWCA Civ 1364 the Court of Appeal holds that designated faith schools are NOT exempt from INDIRECT RACE DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS where the claim arose from the application of faith based OVERSUBSCRIPTION ADMISSION CRITERIA.
CLOSURE OF LEISURE CENTRE
October 26th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Land, Goods and ServicesIn R ( JONES ) v CAERPHILLY CBC (2026) EWHC 2709 (Admin) the Court rejects challenges based on (1) the PSED, (2) Section 28(2) of the Children Act 2004 (welfare of children), and (3) Section 3 of the Future Generations ( Wales ) Act 2015.
USE OF EXPERTISE
October 20th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Judicial Control, Liability and LitigationAlthough a specialist Tribunal may use its expertise when (1) evaluating evidence and (2) drawing inferences, it must NOT rely on assumptions derived from that expertise to fill an EVIDENTIAL GAP, without (i) alerting the parties and (ii) giving them an opportunity to comment. So held in DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL v AB (2026) UKUT 376 ( AAC ).
ENFORCEMENT
October 12th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Council Tax and RatesA MHCLG Statement on 12 October 2026 provides the Government’s Response to its Consultation on improving formal enforcement of council tax.
HOUSING BENEFIT
October 5th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in HousingEarned Income DISREGARDS Regulations come into force from 5 October 2026, allowing people living in supported housing and temporary accommodation to retain more of their earnings when they start work or increase their hours.
HOUSE BUILDING, REGENERATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH
October 5th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in HousingLiverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England and the National Housing Bank have, on 2 October 2026, signed a 3 year Place Delivery Agreement, creating a shared framework,, to accelerate housebuilding, unlock regeneration, and support economic growth, across the City Region.
AIR QUALITY
October 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Planning and EnvironmentalDEFRA GUIDANCE, published on 29 September 2026, outlines the LOCAL AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK local authorities must follow, to protect against AIR POLLUTION.