Local authorities

A new financial sustainability report explores the financial impact of the changes brought about by the implementation of personalisation.

Councils are operating tighter eligibility thresholds for adult care than they claim publicly in order to manage cuts, an adult care director has claimed.

Central Bedfordshire Council has announced that LuDun Industries is to close. Set up in 1956, LuDun Industries currently employs 24 people and is managed by Central Bedfordshire on behalf of a group of Trustees.

It exclusively employs people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities and provides a range of services including picture framing, sanding, spraying and light assembly and packing. In a statement, Central Bedfordshire Council said that,

DWP has issued a call for evidence around the sharing of customer data between DWP and local authorities, in relation to the provision of welfare services.

Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark has written to all local authority leaders encouraging them to continue to support the voluntary sector and small firms.

Building on the HM Treasury and Department for Communities and Local Government led initiative Total Place, the Department for Work and Pensions is working with five local authorities to investigate how to further work together to co-design solutions to local issues of worklessness.

The Localism Bill, announced on 13 December, will enshrine in law rights for community and voluntary groups to draw on when determining what happens in their local area.

Councils in England face cuts of almost 10% next year in their core central government funding. The cuts are part of a policy to cut central funding to local authorities by 28% over four years. The coalition government said the "formula grant" from Whitehall would be reduced by 9.9% in 2011/2012 and by 7.3% in 2012/2013.

Local Government Improvement & Development has produced a handy guide for lead members of adults' services.

DWP has published research into existing partnership arrangements with local authorities and local health organisations.