The longstanding strategic partnership between Southampton City Council and Capita has come to an end.

Imam Qari Asim has been appointed as an independent adviser to provide expert advice on a definition of Islamophobia to the government.
The deputy chair of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group will lead a process for establishing a definition of Islamophobia. This will build on the definitions of Islamophobia currently being considered, and will also draw on a wide range of opinions and work in close collaboration with the cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, to ensure that it commands broad support within Muslim communities and wider society.

Birmingham City Council has expressed its delight after the DfE said that a commissioner for the council’s children services was no longer required.

Boris Johnson has defeated Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt to be named as Conservative party leader, and therefore the new Prime Minister.
Winning 92,153 Conservative member votes, compared to Hunt’s 46,656, Johnson paid tribute to both his opponent and predecessor, thanking Theresa May for her service to the country and calling it an honour to service in her cabinet (from which he resigned in July).

Commissioner reports that Blackpool Council’s children’s social care services should remain under local authority control.

Mid Devon District Council and Exeter City Council have teamed up to procure their fleet vehicles for the first time.
The contract with Specialist Fleet Services (SFS) now means the councils no longer have to purchase their vehicles outright or face unpredictable maintenance costs. Instead, the councils have a seven-year agreement which secures the provision and maintenance of around 210 vehicles and a better working partnership.

The value of parks in Birmingham, in terms of what they offer to all aspects of life in the city, has been calculated as £11 billion.

The government has pledged to end smoking in England by 2030 as part of a much-criticised green paper on ill health.

The Department for Work and Pensions has developed new training on homelessness to improve support for vulnerable benefit claimants.
Jobcentre Customer Service Managers have been issued new guidance from expert organisations, including Crisis, Homeless Link and Shelter, to ensure that people experiencing homelessness, and those at risk of becoming homeless, get access to all relevant services offered by the government.

Jo Swinson has been elected new leader of the Liberal Democrats, becoming the party’s first female leader.