The MJ - your free ebook
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we want to do all we can to support you, so we will provide The MJ as an enhanced ebook here every Thursday, completely free, for the duration of the crisis.
News
Former Lambeth leader takes on shadow communities role
Former Lambeth LBC leader Steve Reed has become the new shadow communities and local government secretary replacing Andrew Gwynne.
PPE 'on its way' to the frontline
More than 30 million items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are due to be delivered to Local Resilience Forums in the next few days.
Gwynne steps down citing 'torturous' national role
Shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne has resigned from his post as the new Labour leader Keir Starmer unveils his shadow cabinet.
Experts seek clarification on virtual meetings regulations
Councils should give five working days’ notice for virtual meetings or use normal urgency procedures while clarification is sought on the new regulations during COVID-19, says guidance.
Satisfaction level for social care 'remains stubbornly low'
The satisfaction level for social care ‘remains stubbornly low’ according to a survey into public attitudes to the NHS and care services commissioned by the Nuffield Trust and the King’s Fund.
Most councils still providing normal waste collections, survey reveals
The majority of councils have been able to provide a normal waste and recycling collection service, a new survey has revealed.
Read More News...
Opinion
Let’s make the argument now for the world we want to live in
Will the impact of coronavirus mean more state investment or 10 more years of austerity to pay for the Government’s interventions, asks Dr Jonathan Carr-West.
Our role will be refocused around resilience
Beyond the initial emergency response, we must ensure communities can emerge and re-establish themselves strengthened and renewed, says Graeme McDonald.
Keeping tenants and leaseholders safe – the immediate challenge
The challenge of the new building safety regime will be best met by involving all council departments and by close engagement with tenants and stakeholders, say Ian Doolittle and Rebecca Rees.
The importance of reserves
Coronavirus is going to place an unparalleled strain on local government services, says Rob Whiteman. The instinct of many councils not to plunder their reserves has been entirely vindicated by the arrival of this most rainy of ‘rainy’ days.
The sector has continued to benefit from Best Value
Before COVID-19, Brexit, austerity and the recession came Best Value inspection - and the more objective chiefs now speak fondly of those days, and the net benefit of the regime, says Abdool Kara.
Recognition for the work of our unspoken heroes
The lack of PPE for frontline care staff is utterly shameful, says Heather Jameson, but not the most shameful thing highlighted during the pandemic. The attacks on key council staff risking their own health to help others are disgraceful, she adds.
Read More Opinion...
Best Practice
COVID-19: Making public messages clear in more than 30 languages
Members of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire’s diverse communities have recorded video blogs with crucial COVID-19 public health messages in more than 30 languages so far, says Adrian Chapman.
Analysis
‘We must speak truth to power’
HR directors gathered for a Penna/The MJ round table to discuss a service with an ‘identity crisis’ – and whether they can drive disruption and transformation at pace and scale. Heather Jameson reports.
Private sector
Salford Crescent developer named
The English Cities Fund has been named the development partner for the £2.5bn Salford Crescent masterplan.
Outsourcers change coronavirus policy
Outsourcer Amey has U-turned to give full pay to workers off sick with coronavirus or those self-isolating during the current health emergency.
Care providers in law change call
Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
