Bangladesh: PM backs
decentralisation
 Prime
Minister Sheikh Kasina has given her commitment to decentralise power for
empowerment and more participation of the people in running state and
national development activities, and to strengthen local government by
decentralising power. Read
more |
Canada: Ontario makes gas tax
permanent for municipal projects
 The
federal government of Ontario is making the federal gas tax fund a permanent
fixture for supporting infrastructure projects in Ontario municipalities. The
deal is part of the federal Building Canada plan, which transfers $53 billion
to Canadian local governments over 10 years. Toronto Mayor Rob Ford called
the move “absolutely fantastic.” Read
more |
India: City-wide low carbon
lighting in Kolkata
 Kolkata
has reduced its street lighting costs by 40% according to the results of a
LED street lighting pilot in the city. The compelling energy savings has led
to the local government deciding to make the switch to low carbon lighting
across the city. Read
more |
Jamaica: Local elections in
2015
 CLGF
Patron and the Prime Minister of Jamaica Hon Portia Simpson Miller has
announced that Jamaicans will go to the polls in 2015 for local government
elections. Read
more
New Zealand: Strengthening
local economies
 More than 550 delegates
representing central government, stakeholders, and the councils around New
Zealand came together at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) 2014
Conference in Nelson on 20-22 July to discuss the theme Powering local economies, building
vibrant communities. CLGF Chairperson and LGNZ President Mayor
Lawrence Yule said, “We are seeking a commitment from central government to
work on a joint national strategy to strengthen the future of provincial New
Zealand, and ensure growth across all of the country.” CLGF Deputy
Secretary-General Lucy Slack represented CLGF at the conference. Read
more |
Uganda: Bonds to provide new
funding source
 Local
governments are being encouraged to look at new ways of raising funds
following new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government on how to
source funds from the capital markets by issuing bonds. Read
more |
UK: Ambitions for local
government in Wales
 Local Government Minister of
Wales and CLGF Board member, Lesley Griffiths has unveiled a consultation
paper setting out the Welsh Government’s ambitions for the future of Local
Government in Wales. The White paper includes ideas on merging local
authorities, changing the way councils make decisions, improving how they
connect with their communities and developing how they improve performance to
achieve better outcomes. Read
more |
UK: Number of councils in
Northern Ireland reduced
|
The
number of councils is being reduced from 26 to 11 following the
implementation of the Northern Ireland Local Government Act 2014. There will
also be a transfer of powers to the 11 councils in the areas of planning,
roads, housing, community development, local economic development and
tourism. The new structure will come into existence in April 2015. Read
more |
