28/01/2026
Welcome to the January edition of Local Authority View, an update summarising recent Government publications, legislation, cases and other developments relevant to those involved in the local authority sector.
This month, we have covered the following:
- Behind the scenes: How agency models are shaping local authority leisure services
- Blue badge parking misuse and enforcement options
- Conditional CPOs: A smarter delivery – or deferred uncertainty?
- Introduction of New Fair Deal to the LGPS
- Preparing for June 2026: A guide to local authority data protection complaint processes
- Updates on the Child Protection Authority and grooming gangs inquiry
Behind the scenes: How agency models are shaping local authority leisure services
Sophie Mallon and Kirtpal Kaur-Aujla
The ever-shrinking budgets that local authorities must contend with present many challenges, one being the delivery of leisure services. These services are to be financially feasible and of genuine utility to constituents; an increasingly difficult feat in the face of increasing operating costs and stretched manpower.
For this reason, many local authorities are considering various alternative structures to achieve this feat and the agency model is becoming an increasingly favoured option.
Blue badge parking misuse and enforcement options
The blue badge parking scheme provides support to disabled people and assists them in living independent lives. The scheme is intended to put people living with disabilities on more equitable terms, yet misuse is significantly on the rise with some cities seeing theft statistics having quadrupled.
This rise in misuse risks undermining the integrity of the scheme, and it is important that local authorities give more priority to enforcement and prosecution.
Conditional CPOs: A smarter delivery – or deferred uncertainty?
Conditional CPOs were introduced as a more flexible way to deliver regeneration. They allow compulsory purchase powers to be confirmed, but only exercised once key conditions are met. However, what’s still unclear is the nature and scope of those conditions – how tightly they need to be defined, how far they can go, and how they will operate in practice.
On paper, conditional CPOs offer a way to manage risk and improve deliverability. In reality, they raise fresh questions about certainty for landowners, timing of acquisition, and how compensation will work in the conditional period.
Ultimately, more detail is needed before we can say whether conditional CPOs will achieve their objectives in practice.
Introduction of New Fair Deal to the LGPS
Nigel Bolton and Sadie Goodrum
The government recently closed a consultation into several proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). This consultation also sought perspectives on introducing “New Fair Deal” protections for workers whose jobs are outsourced to third-party providers.
This article goes over the proposed changes and recommended next steps for local authorities.
Preparing for June 2026: A guide to local authority data protection complaint processes
In line with Data Use and Access Act 2025, local authorities must have a process to deal with data protection complaints from June 2026.
Our Head of Information Law and Privacy goes over the requirements of the process and the grounds it should cover. She also discusses the implications for local authorities and tips for dealing with complaints.
Updates on the Child Protection Authority and grooming gangs inquiry
The Government has launched a consultation on establishing a new Child Protection Authority (‘CPA’) in England and Wales, with its functions yet to be fully defined but potentially including powers to hold organisations - including local authorities - to account on child protection matters.
In the same week, the Home Secretary announced the appointment of the Chair and panel for the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
This article also looks at how the Hillsborough Bill could affect the progress of the inquiry and considers the potential implications of these developments for organisations interacting with children.
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