All articles by Nicholas Dobson – Page 2
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FeatureGeneral power of competence
Nicholas Dobson says for local authorities that previously had seen their functional creativity significantly curtailed, the GPC in the Localism Act 2011 promised a brave new world.
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FeaturePlanning consent contrary to advice
What legal duty does a local planning authority have to state reasons behind a decision, against the advice of its own professional advisers, to grant a controversial development?
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FeatureEducation: Ofsted marked its own homework
Durand Academy Trust School challenged critical Ofsted report.
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FeatureLocal government: Scrutinising councillor conduct
Holders of public office must be publicly accountable for their decisions and actions and able to submit to scrutiny.
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FeatureLocal Government: Scope of power to prosecute
R v AB and others raises questions about the powers of local authorities.
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FeatureBarnsley in a hole
Local governments are under extreme financial pressure from pothole damage repairs
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OpinionBOOK REVIEW: Legal thickets of localism
What do the following have in common: the Ivy House Pub in Nunhead, south-east London; various football stadiums, including Manchester United’s Old Trafford; Blencathra (the Lake District mountain); and the cold war control tower at the former Greenham Common RAF base (pictured)? Answer: they are all Assets of Community Value ...
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FeatureLocal government: Councillor conduct and personal data
Local authorities are right to be punctiliously cautious about releasing sensitive personal information.
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FeatureStandards regime and sanctions
Judgment gives some clarification of the different roles of parish/town councils and principal authorities in operating the local government standards regime.
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FeatureLocal government: cuts to library provision
When local authorities plan to reduce, restructure or rationalise library services, litigation often results.
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FeatureLocal government and land disposals
West Berkshire Council found itself under section 123 fire from Faraday Development Ltd.
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FeatureWhen public authorities clash
High Court judge wondered why no attempt at compromise had been made.
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FeatureLocal government: duty to give reasons
Had the case been made when Hammersmith and Fulham LBC proposed a regeneration of Shepherd’s Bush Market?
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Opinion
Brexit offers new opportunities
I confess some difficulty in understanding why so many seem so apocalyptically pessimistic about the vote to leave the EU.
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FeatureDemystifying state aid decisions
How a case involving Coventry City Football Club clarifies key principles underpinning effective decisions.
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FeatureCompanies and conflicts of interest
On the face of it, the nature of conflicts of interest should be straightforward. But solicitors should be wary.
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FeatureLocal government: planning enforcement
The Robert Fidler case is still rumbling like a potentially active volcano.
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FeatureLocal government: consultation minefield
Lambeth Council came unstuck for effectively moving the goalposts in relation to its published consultation arrangements.
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FeatureLocalism bill does not rule out bias
Apparent bias remains a serious risk to local government decisions, as some recent judgments show.