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
Southwark chief to help with vaccine rollout
Southwark LBC’s chief executive will be brought in on secondment by NHS England to help with the national programme to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine.
Casey calls for stronger rough sleeping prevention
Tackling rough sleeping has been ‘dumped on’ local authorities, according to the woman behind the lifesaving Everyone In scheme.
Woking appoints new chief executive
Julie Fisher has been announced as the new chief executive of Woking BC.
Hall puts pressure on Croydon for May mayoral referendum
Local government minister Luke Hall has suggested any referendum on Croydon LBC’s mayoral system should be held in May alongside the local elections.
Council tax rises could undermine levelling up
The Government’s reliance on council tax increases to boost local government funding could hinder the recovery of deprived communities, a think-tank has concluded.
Jersey chief steps down
Government of Jersey chief executive Charlie Parker will step down at the end of March, he has announced.
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Opinion
No time for transformation
Professor Donna Hall warns of the danger of the ‘centralised military command-type response’ COVID demands becoming a permanent feature, eroding the time for deep-rooted transformation.
The high street is dead, long live the high street
Six Key Cities members received all or part of the Future High Streets funding they originally bid for. Cllr John Merry explains how high streets can become the beating hearts of communities once again.
We need to focus on developing our collective resilience
Claire Kober says that while the tendency in a crisis is to fix the urgent and push everything else aside, 'taking time to focus on developing our collective resilience feels to be just as important'.
Apprenticeships are the future for digital transformation
In the battle for digital talent, apprenticeships can be local government’s secret weapon, says Euan Blair.
Taxation tribulations for a post-COVID nation
Last weekend was the turn of policy ideas on council tax and stamp duty to be run anonymously in the Sunday papers, says Heather Jameson. 'But more intriguing was last week’s ten-minute rule Bill, calling for business rates to be scrapped.'
Helping families through the tough times
Local welfare assistance schemes are crucial to delivering the Government’s package of winter support to families with children during the pandemic, says Toby North. Some councils, who previously did not have one in place, have set them up, he adds.
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Best Practice
When a digital community is the answer
Kathy Kyle Bonomini outlines how she and her team have created a free community platform and social media channels to enable groups to collaborate on high street rejuvenation.
Analysis
Pushing for real reform
The pandemic was a game changer for the central/local government relationship, says Joanne Roney, who has started her two-year stint as president of Solace.
Private sector
New Year wishes
With a difficult year ahead of us iESE is renewing its commitment to public service transformation – and wants volunteers to help, says Dr Andrew Larner.
Wigan insources leisure services
The council is to bring its leisure centres in-house in a bid to safeguard jobs following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
Hackney insources cleaning services
More than 100 cleaning staff have been brought in-house by Hackney LBC as part of a wider drive to bring services under direct control.
