Countryside campaigners have given details of advice from a senior barrister which, they claim, throws the legality of Government plans for Eco Towns into doubt. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England says the opinion, released today, means the policy needs radical revision if the Government is to avoid future legal challenges.

Read more on CAMPAIGNERS CAST NEW DOUBTS ON LEGALITY OF ECO TOWNS POLICY…

Local authority leaders have criticised the lack of consistency in a Treasury Select Committee report on losses incurred when Icelandic banks collapsed. The committee is recommending that charities should be compensated for their losses but said there was no need for assistance for councils.

Read more on COMMITTEE RULES OUT ASSISTANCE FOR COUNCILS OVER ICELANDIC BANK LOSSES…

The UK will only be able to pay for future social care for older people by introducing a radical new ‘combined’ social insurance scheme according to a report from the think tank New Local Government Network.

Read more on BETTER WITH AGE: REFORMING THE FUTURE OF LOCAL SOCIAL CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE…