Outsourcing
Future Forum: Call for councils to be 'brave' in contract negotiations
Councils need to be ‘braver’ and ‘bolder’ in their conversations with private service providers, according to Portsmouth City Council’s chief executive.
Hollowed out local government sets off a downward spiral
'It is time to move the debate on from platitudes and tinkering with year-to-year budgets to the wholesale reform of the financial powers available to local government', says Mo Baines.
Bristol in £25m contract with scandal-hit IT firm
Bristol City Council has been revealed to have an IT contract worth £25m with scandal-hit firm Fujitsu.
Councils demand control over asylum contracting
The Home Office has defended its asylum contracting amid calls to devolve management or oversight to councils.
Damning reality of asylum
Shocking public health report by Hounslow LBC exposes bleak conditions as councils urge Home Office and contractors to improve
Can outsourced leisure centres benefit from the VAT ruling?
HMRC has revised its treatment of VAT on in house leisure services. Scott Dorling and Julian Jarrett consider if agency arrangements can retain this benefit for outsourced leisure services.
Embracing innovation is key to LATCOs
Martin Cresswell looks at the factors contributing to the success of Local Authority Trading Companies and the challenge of finding the balance between control and freedom.
Outsourcing children’s care linked to worse outcomes
Children in care are being moved between short-term, unstable placements far away from their families because of a ‘corporate takeover’ of the sector, a study has said.
Cyber attack led to data breach
Capita has admitted data was stolen during a Cyber attack that disrupted council services.
Cyber attack hits councils
Councils have reported disruption to their call centres after a Cyber attack on outsourcing giant Capita.
Perfecting the art of procurement
The Procurement Bill should have been bolder and stronger, says John Tizard. But there is nothing to stop local authorities bringing in some of the measures it should have included, he believes.
Record turnover but fall in profits for Wates
Developer Wates Group recorded its highest-ever turnover last year, but reported a drop in profits.
Birmingham’s dash to digital
Dr Peter Bishop explains how taking direct control enabled Birmingham to transform its ICT operation into a modern digital service. The ambition is for a world-class digital city that fosters inclusive growth and levelling up.
Dundee workers to strike over outsourcing plan
More than 300 Dundee City Council workers have voted to strike as they fight plans to outsource services.
Future Forum: Social value can survive austerity
Securing social value in contracts is made more difficult in times of austerity but is still achievable, The MJ’s Future Forum has heard.
Thinking the unthinkable
Chief executive officer of Norse Group Justin Galliford comments on how local authorities are now, more than ever, prepared to consider alternative service models.
Braverman lobbied over asylum placement warning
Sector figures have held talks with the home secretary over Whitehall’s asylum policy weeks after ministers ordered contractors to improve how they communicate with councils.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick tells asylum contractors to improve
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick has told Home Office contractors that find accommodation for asylum seekers to improve how they communicate with councils.
Suez completes waste business deal
Suez has completed the purchase of its former waste management business in the UK from Veolia.
Lambeth to bring housing back in-house
Lambeth LBC plans to bring its housing company back in-house following a review by independent peer and former civil servant Lord Kerslake.