Jonathan Werran
Jonathan Werran is head of news at Localis
Building consent
As Localis publishes an essay collection looking at how homes and developments may be built in harmony with existing communities, Jonathan Werran considers the history of housing and planning.
Governing the local AI revolution
A nuanced approach to governance is needed to successfully navigate the challenge of integrating AI within local authorities, say Amardeep Gill and Jonathan Werran.
Tacking the scourge of waste crime
Government should introduce an intermediate tax band to bridge the gap between standard and lower rates of landfill tax, reducing the incentive for misclassification of waste, says Jonathan Werran.
Where is fiscal devolution?
In the first of a series of articles on what the next government could learn from the Lyons Review, Jonathan Werran suggests fiscal freedom could unlock growth to bring in more cash for the Treasury.
Throw a lifeline – business rates reform and high streets renewal
A fringe panel event in Liverpool next week will focus thinking on what system of business taxation for local government a Labour Government could put in place, says Jonathan Werran.
Perfect place
Jonathan Werran reports from a policy event that teased out how lessons from the past could indicate what reform towards single placemaking budgets might offer.
Level measures
Localis’s research into the potential for public service integration to underpin the delivery of levelling up in neighbourhoods offers a modern policy route to future reform. Jonathan Werran explains.
Combined talents
Combined authorities are the default option for optimal devolution – but Amardeep Gill and Jonathan Werran ask if we should be talking about their potential role as prime movers in public service reform, economic transformation and infrastructure.
The new King’s golden vision
Jonathan Werran says the new monarch King Charles III should be viewed as a genuine localism champion, and a man of wisdom who has constantly preached a civic gospel of duty to place and community.
The next showrunners
Jonathan Werran says that, whatever and whoever is running the show after next year’s General Election, attention and protection should be afforded to local government.
Fable and willing
We need new local stories and narratives of empowerment to make devolution come alive for communities, argues Jonathan Werran.
Resolving surface tensions
Greater collaboration across central and local government and wider industry to embed sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) is needed to tackle blight of flash floods, writes Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran.
Mapping a route to clean local growth
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran breaks down a new report on how local government can take ownership of decarbonisation and sustainable economic growth.
Time for action
Climate change and extreme weather conditions require a long-term, whole-place response to mitigate their impact, writes Jonathan Werran.
Rescuing the ship
The brand of compassionate Conservatism the new Prime Minister has outlined and has determined to express might prove impossible to deliver on before polling day, says Jonathan Werran.
The Connected Society – realising pride in place
The Connected Society toolkit represents an early attempt to marry an understanding of levelling up theory with the practice of community-led placemaking, says Jonathan Werran of Localis.
Everything, everywhere, all at once
Jonathan Werran asks if the political need for a short-term fix on growth policy obscures the economic and moral cases for urgently delivering decarbonisation and innovation-led productivity.
A still point in a changing world
Jonathan Werran pays tribute to the local and personal impact of our longest-serving monarch throughout every corner of the United Kingdom, and emphasises the importance to her of maintaining the union.
Councils need a net zero strategy
The High Court has ruled the Government’s own net zero strategy is in breach of the Climate Change Act. Jonathan Werran looks at what, if anything, will change at place level as a result.
Fixing Government’s blind spot
As the Conservative leadership hopefuls jostle for the top job, Jonathan Werran asks what a change of regime may mean for the levelling up agenda.