Local Government weekly highlights—2 October 2025
This week’s edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes: case analysis of Fatolahzadeh v LB of Barnet, where the local authority successfully defended a Housing Act 1996 (HA 1996) appeal on suitability of accommodation offered in performance of the prevention duty; R (Begum) v LB Tower Hamlets, in which the court confirmed that the council homeless database did not indirectly discriminate against women; Mole Valley DC v Secretary of State & Meloney regarding statutory interpretation of the updated NPPF and NPPTS; Enlli Angharad Williams v Gwynedd, clarifying the limits of Article 4 directions over use class changes in Wales. Case reports include R (Nabeel-Dib Hammad) v Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in which the court found a breach of duty under HA 1996 to house the homeless claimant; Page v Information Commissioner, in which the Tribunal upheld prior findings that the appellant was not entitled to copies of lesson materials under Freedom of Information Act 2000 when these had already been delivered; R (CKT and DGT) v Twyford Church of England Academies Trust on the intersection of faith-based admissions and racial equality duties; Cardiff Council v X, in which the UT found the ETW erroneously applied an outdated legal framework and Wigan Council v PAG Ltd; Trafford Council v PAG Ltd in which the High Court rejected the NNDR avoidance scheme and confirmed liability remained with property owner. It also includes expert analysis of the government intention to introduce a new quality assurance framework for unregistered alternative provision. It also includes further updates on Social housing, Education, Planning, Local government finance, Public procurement, Governance, Healthcare, Social Care, Licensing and Environmental law and climate change.