Nick Clark
Verified- Executive Editor, International, Dow Jones Newswires
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Articles by Nick Clark
Deals without the devolution
Greater Manchester's 2014 devolution agreement included powers over transport, housing and skills, with matching funding. That was my model for New Zealand two years ago, in a research note for The New Zealand Initiative. I urged the Government to strike City and Regional Deals that live up to the name. New Zealand's centralisation leaves councils with weak incentives for growth. Wellington takes much of the tax revenue, while councils and ratepayers bear infrastructure costs.
Council begins work on parking zones for dockless bikes in response to petition by campaigners
Campaigners have called on the council to establish tougher measures, such as parking and exclusion zones, in response to the borough’s ‘dockless bike crisis’. Parking zones for dockless bikes could be rolled out across Tower Hamlets to stop them blocking pavements. Tower Hamlets Council chief executive Stephen Halsey said work to establish the zones is under way, in response to a petition on the borough’s ‘dockless bikes crisis’.
Headstones in St George’s Garden to be moved as part of plans to rebuild neighbouring leisure centre
Council plans to demolish and redevelop St George’s Leisure Centre in Shadwell involve relocating 52 headstones lining a boundary wall. Headstones in St George’s Garden in Shadwell will be moved to allow the next-door leisure centre to be regenerated. Tower Hamlets Council plans to relocate 52 headstones so that they line up along the garden’s northern wall. This is to make room for a new St George’s Leisure Centre with housing.
Genesis Cinema owner appeals against council decision to block plans to rebuild cinema with student flats above
Owner of Stepney cinema says replacing the building with student flats and a smaller cinema in the basement is ‘the only way we can save the cinema.’ The owner of Genesis Cinema in Stepney has appealed a council decision blocking its replacement with student flats. Tyrone Walker-Hebborn wants to redevelop the historic cinema on Mile End Road. He says replacing the building with student flats, and a smaller cinema in the basement, is ‘the only way we can save the cinema’.
How can we stop overhangs stealing an election?
Businesses need confidence in how governments are chosen and the policies they pursue. That makes an obscure MMP feature worth our attention. Te Pāti Māori wants supporters to vote for its candidates in the Māori electorates but give their party votes to the Greens or Labour. To read the article on the NZ Herald website, click here.
London council unanimously votes for motion to block resources in immigration raids
Newham Council has vowed to pull resources from immigration raids unless legally required - (Getty Images) Newham councillors have unanimously backed a motion calling on the council not to use its resources to support immigration raids except where it is legally required to do so. Members voted in favour of the proposal at a full council meeting on Monday, arguing that residents should be able to access public services without fear of immigration enforcement.
London council backs motion to block assistance in immigration raids
Newham councillors have unanimously backed a motion calling on the council not to use its resources to support immigration raids except where it is legally required to do so. Members voted in favour of the proposal at a full council meeting on Monday, arguing that residents should be able to access public services without fear of immigration enforcement.
Proposed cut to Isle of Dogs bus service would leave children without a route to school
TfL has proposed cutting the D7 bus service, which has provided ‘an essential east-west link across the island for 120 years’, due to falling passenger numbers. Plans to scrap the D7 bus would leave children on the Isle of Dogs without a bus to school, Tower Hamlets councillors have warned. Transport for London (TfL) wants to end the service, which follows roads around the outer edge of the Isle of Dogs, claiming fewer and fewer people use it. Councillors from all parties agreed to oppose the cut.
East London residents inhaling 'dirty dust' covering homes and streets
People living in an industrial area of east London are inhaling “dirty dust” that covers their homes and streets, a Newham councillor has warned. Green councillor Rob Callender, who represents Royal Victoria ward, says the streets around Silvertown and West Silvertown DLR Station are “caked in dust and debris”. He says that “sediment sits inches thick around the kerbs of traffic islands”.
East London residents inhaling 'dirty dust' that covers their homes and streets
The streets around Silvertown Way are ‘caked with dust’, according to a Green councillor - (LDRS) People living in an industrial area of east London are inhaling “dirty dust” that covers their homes and streets, a Newham councillor has warned. Green councillor Rob Callender, who represents Royal Victoria ward, says the streets around Silvertown and West Silvertown DLR Station are “caked in dust and debris”. Sign up to read this article Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Plans for £110k outdoor terrace for East London town hall café
Tower Hamlets Council could spend up to £110,000 on building an outdoor terrace for its town hall cafe. The council has submitted a planning application for the terrace in London Square, opposite the Royal London Hospital. A council spokesperson said the terrace would make the café a place for "people to rest and gather" and would be "a significant benefit to the area".
Council proposes new terrace to be added to the existing town hall cafe, costing over £100,000
The council has drawn up plans for an outdoor terrace in London Square, which it says will improve the space for the public and bring more customers to the cafe. Tower Hamlets Council could spend up to £110,000 on building an outdoor terrace for its town hall cafe. The council has submitted a planning application for the terrace in London Square, opposite the Royal London Hospital.
Terms and conditions apply
Five weeks out from an election, bottom lines are everywhere. Almost every minor party has one. Some have several. The bottom line is a strange beast. A party leader announces it with a stern face, and it tells voters, 'On this, we will not move.' Then it is released into the campaign dressed up as a binding contract.
‘Serious concerns’ over council’s ‘deteriorating financial position’ as auditors flag £19 million overspend
Auditors EY have warned that the council is set to overspend by £19 million for the second year in a row, due largely to rising social care and temporary homelessness accommodation costs. Auditors have raised ‘significant concerns’ about Tower Hamlets Council’s ‘deteriorating financial position’. Professional services firm EY issued the warning after the council said it was on course to overspend by £19 million this year.
Councillors grant outdoor entertainment licences in new Wickside ‘town centre’, contrary to officers’ advice
Thirteen licences for outdoor events and late-night food sellers have been granted at Wickside along the Hertford Union Canal in Fish Island, despite council officials’ concerns over noise. A ‘new town centre’ in Fish Island on the border of Hackney Wick will be allowed to host outdoor events and celebrations after councillors approve plans. Tower Hamlets councillors voted to grant a licence to host outdoor entertainment at the Wickside development against the advice of their own officers.
Residents ‘shut down’ at cabinet meeting over daylight row, as council forges ahead with Limehouse development
Locksley Estate residents have been silenced as Mayor passes legal order preventing them from challenging new development over loss of light to their homes. Locksley Estate residents were barred from addressing Tower Hamlets Council leaders over proposed new housing they say would block their daylight. The council admits that its plan to build a four-storey building in Limehouse could reduce daylight to five surrounding buildings.
Significant concerns raised over 'deteriorating' finances at Tower Hamlets Council
Auditors have flagged "significant concerns" at Tower Hamlets Council’s "deteriorating financial position" with the local authority set to overspend by £19m this year. A report by professional services firm EY said the budget-busting figure was “not consistent with effective financial planning and budgetary control”. EY said the overspend “raises significant concerns” about the “robustness of the council’s budget-setting assumptions".
Thames Wharf raves 'still have no planning permission'
A series of daytime raves to be held in a Thames Wharf warehouse from next week still does not have planning permission. Shows starring popular DJs such as Jamie Jones, Eric Prydz and Charlotte de Witte are due to take place at Thames Wharf Dock in Newham next month, starting on Saturday, October 3. It is the first of five raves planned there throughout the month, with the venue rebranded “Ironworks” for the events.
London Stadium should be sold to West Ham
The deal allowing West Ham United to rent the London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Park has been "disastrous" for taxpayers and the venue should be sold to the club, a London Assembly member has said. Labour's Bassam Mahfouz has written to Lord Sadiq Khan urging the mayor to consider a sale to stop the stadium losing millions of pounds a year.
Sadiq Khan told to sell London Stadium to avoid losing millions a year
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Sadiq Khan told to sell London Stadium to avoid losing millions a year
The London Stadium should be sold to West Ham United, a Labour London Assembly member has told London mayor Sadiq Khan. Bassam Mahfouz has urged the mayor to consider selling the stadium to the football club as way to avoid losing tens of millions of pounds a year. He said the current arrangement, where West Ham pays rent to use the stadium as its home ground, had proved “disastrous” for London taxpayers.
Council considers plans to build social housing on Stepney Park Primary School’s games area
Plans for new social housing will use the site of a school games area, with a replacement playground built on a former garage site nearby. Council flats could be built on a primary school games area in Stepney if planning permission is granted. Permission has already been granted for a replacement multi-use games area (MUGA) nearby. Tower Hamlets Council says it will build the ‘new and larger’ MUGA at a former block of garages behind the current one.
Specialist educational needs provision in schools under threat from staffing shortage as demand rockets
Efforts to overhaul the borough’s special educational needs system are being hampered by lack of staff, with 8.6% of children now requiring additional support. A shortage of specialists poses a ‘critical’ threat to efforts to save the special educational needs system in Tower Hamlets, council plans have revealed. The council has published a plan to reform the beleaguered system.
Staff shortages pose a 'critical' threat to SEND children in East London
A shortage of specialists poses a "critical" threat to efforts to save the special educational needs system in Tower Hamlets, council plans have revealed. The council has published a plan to reform the beleaguered system. Parents and children currently face long delays in accessing support, while costs have left the town hall lumbered with a multi-million-pound education deficit.
London council launches crackdown on bad parking
A crackdown on bad parking and the introduction of more ‘school streets' have both been approved by Barking and Dagenham Council leaders. The council's new parking strategy includes more CCTV cameras to monitor bad parking and more enforcement action across the borough. It also wants to cut traffic near schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
London council launches crackdown on bad parking
Sun, September 20, 2026 at 6:00 AM UTC A crackdown on bad parking and the introduction of more ‘school streets’ have both been approved by Barking and Dagenham Council leaders. The council’s new parking strategy includes more CCTV cameras to monitor bad parking and more enforcement action across the borough. It also wants to cut traffic near schools during drop-off and pick-up times.
Who is really in charge at your council
Picture a councillor about to vote on whether her council should sell its shares in the local airport. Management tells her that voting one way could expose the council to legal risk. She asks to see the legal advice behind that warning, which her council commissioned and ratepayers paid for. She is refused. According to MP Stuart Smith, this actually happened at Wellington City Council.
Submission: Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The New Zealand Initiative welcomes the opportunity to submit on the Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill. 1.2 The Initiative is a Wellington-based think tank supported primarily by major New Zealand businesses. In combination, our members employ more than 150,000 people.
London council faces making £28m of cuts despite huge spending boost
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London council faces making £28m of cuts despite huge spending boost
Barking and Dagenham Council faces having to find almost £28 million of spending cuts and savings to balance its budget next year. The council says rocketing demand and costs in social services mean its predicted spending has increased, despite a government funding boost. Senior Labour councillor Rocky Gill, responsible for finance, said balancing next year's budget “remains achievable but will require difficult decisions”.
Fight brewing over plans for new restaurants, bars, and music venues in Hackney Wick
Councillors are set to weigh in on plans to develop 13 new eating, drinking, and nightlife spots in Hackney Wick, as some residents warn of late night noise and disorder. Fish Island residents are set to clash over the future of Hackney Wick as a developer seeks over a dozen premises licenses for restaurants, bars and music venues. Galliard Homes wants Tower Hamlets Council to grant the licences covering its major development by the Hertford Union Canal.
Brick Lane data centre plan 'could be halted if council seizes land'
Plans to build a data centre and offices on either side of Brick Lane could be halted if the council uses its powers to seize the land, a campaigner has said. The government decided to grant planning permission to redevelop sites belonging to Truman Brewery last month, despite opposition from Tower Hamlets Council and local neighbours in the area. The deadline to mount a legal challenge to the decision expired on Wednesday.
New council flats for large families given go-ahead in Bethnal Green
Plans for nine social rent Rushmead flats, which aim to meet growing demand for large-family housing, have been approved by the council. Nine new council homes for large families could be built in Bethnal Green after being awarded planning permission. Tower Hamlets Council plans to build the new block of maisonettes in Rushmead, just off Bethnal Green Road, behind The Star of Bethnal Green pub.
Seize land to halt Brick Lane data centre development, campaigner urges council
A campaigner has called on the council to use compulsory purchase powers to seize the Truman Brewery site in Brick Lane and halt Government-approved plans to build offices and a data centre. Plans to build a data centre and offices on either side of Brick Lane could be halted if the council uses its powers to seize the land, a campaigner has said.
Isle of Dogs developer tries to cut £35 million contribution committed to affordable housing
A developer behind a planned 835-home co-living tower on Marsh Wall wants to reduce its agreed £49.9m affordable housing contribution to around £15m, citing worsening market conditions. The developer behind a planned 800-home tower in the Isle of Dogs wants to cut its contribution to affordable housing by some £35 million.
Years after a coroner warned of further deaths, Wick Lane junction still has no pedestrian crossing
Half a decade after a fatal crash on a busy junction over the A12 by Wick Lane, no pedestrian crossing has been built, despite an increase in pedestrians following new housing developments. A busy junction over the A12 is still without a pedestrian crossing more than six years after a coroner warned further deaths could occur without one. Tower Hamlets Council and Transport for London (TfL) promised action after a young man was killed while crossing the A12 near Wick Lane, Bow, in 2019.
Controlled parking zones planned across all of Barking and Dagenham
Stock image of a permit parking sign (Image: LDRS) Parking control zones could cover the entire of borough of Barking and Dagenham within two years. Barking and Dagenham Council is proposing to roll out new parking permit zones in the remaining areas of the borough not already covered by one. Council documents say the permits mean “improved access to parking for residents”, “improved road safety”, “reduced traffic congestion” and “improved air quality”.
Wick Lane A12 junction still without crossing years after fatal crash
3 1/1 A junction over the A12 in east London is still without a pedestrian crossing more than six years after a coroner warned further deaths could occur without one. Tower Hamlets Council and Transport for London (TfL) promised action after a young man was killed while crossing the A12 near Wick Lane, Bow, in 2019. Wick Lane resident Adam Werlinger has been calling for a safe crossing for around a decade.
Sports events at the London Stadium could be cut to make way for more concerts
London Stadium bosses want to cut the number of sports event days from 87 to 70 a year to make room for more concerts, although a spokesperson said the change would not impact West Ham matches. The number of sports events hosted at London Stadium – home to West Ham United – could be cut, plans submitted to Newham Council reveal. Stadium bosses want to cut the number of days it hosts sports events to accommodate an increase in other events such as concerts.
Entire London borough could be covered by controlled parking zones under council plans
Fri, September 4, 2026 at 8:57 AM UTC An entire London borough could be covered by parking control zones in just two years under plans being considered at the town hall. Barking and Dagenham Council is proposing to roll out new parking permit zones in the remaining areas of the borough not already covered by one. Council documents say the permits mean “improved access to parking for residents”, “improved road safety”, “reduced traffic congestion” and “improved air quality”.
Huge 800 home development to transform area of east London
Plans to build almost 800 homes near London Stadium have been submitted to Newham Council. The proposals come as stadium bosses are seeking to increase the number of concerts it hosts, as well as their permitted noise levels. Plans say the new development could also include a pub, a takeaway and a “live music performance venue or cinema”. Property developer Lendlease wants to build 782 homes across six towers on a currently vacant plot of land at Westfield Avenue, adjoining Redman Place.
All Points East 2026 has still not received planning permission to go ahead, despite having finished
All Points East has finished in Victoria Park, but Tower Hamlets Council has yet to decide whether to grant planning permission for this festival and other events planned at the park. All Points East festival went ahead despite not having planning permission from Tower Hamlets Council. The festival ran from Friday 21 August until Friday 28 August in Victoria Park. Yet its planning application with the council had still not been decided.
Barking and Dagenham 'has too many betting shops'
Three gambling premises in Heathway, Dagenham (Image: Google) There are “too many betting shops” in Barking and Dagenham, councillors have been told. Barking and Dagenham Council is set to bring in tougher new policies governing how it issues gambling premises licences. Residents responding to a consultation on the changes complained about the number of betting shops in the borough.
London Stadium submits plan to host more live concerts
London Stadium (Image: LDRS) The London Stadium must be allowed to hold more gigs to "compete with other major venues", bosses have said. London Stadium 185 (LS185) – which manages the venue – wants Newham Council to approve a planned increase in concerts as part of a plan to offset financial losses. The company says current restrictions mean it struggles to “compete with other major venues” – and has lost out on bids to host artists such as Harry Styles and Bad Bunny.
Residents say 'too many gambling shops' opening in one of London's poorest boroughs
There are "too many gambling shops" in Barking and Dagenham, residents have said, with one saying you "can't go 100 metres" in Barking without coming across one. The council is preparing to bring in tougher policies governing gambling premises licences, after a consultation revealed a "significant level of concern" about the number of betting shops across the borough.
London Stadium demands restrictions on concerts relaxed after missing out on Harry Styles and Bad Bunny
It is "vital" that London Stadium should be allowed to host more concerts, with louder noise limits and larger attendance, bosses have said. London Stadium 185 (LS185) – which manages the venue – wants Newham Council to approve the increase as part of a plan to offset financial losses. The company says current restrictions mean it struggles to "compete with other major venues" – and has lost out on bids to host artists such as Harry Styles and Bad Bunny.
London Stadium demands restrictions on concerts relaxed after missing out on Harry Styles and Bad Bunny
It is “vital” that London Stadium should be allowed to host more concerts, with louder noise limits and larger attendance, bosses have said. London Stadium 185 (LS185) – which manages the venue – wants Newham Council to approve the increase as part of a plan to offset financial losses. The company says current restrictions mean it struggles to “compete with other major venues” – and has lost out on bids to host artists such as Harry Styles and Bad Bunny.
Teasing of textile material for any purpose
Imagine you run a business as a “dag crusher”. For those unfamiliar with the term, a “dag” is a dirty bit of wool attached to a sheep’s rear end. Every year you must fill out a form and pay your local council for the privilege of being allowed to continue to crush dags. The Health Act 1956 lists nineteen jobs it calls “offensive trades”. Offensive in this case does not mean rude or obscene – it means highly unpleasant or, more colloquially, “gross”.
Podcast: Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides
Reports & Media > Podcasts > Podcast: Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides Podcast: Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides In this episode, Nick talks with Oliver Hartwich about how the 2026 election could break MMP from two sides.
Bigger councils are no bargain for business
Suppose a business is deciding where to expand around Christchurch. It can compare rates and building consent performance in Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri. If one council becomes too slow or expensive, investment can cross the boundary without leaving the local economy. That nearby choice is one of the few checks businesses have on council performance. TheGovernment’s Head Start programmecould weaken it. To read the article on the NZ Herald website, click here.
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