SOLACE 2018
As local government chief executives gather in Brighton for the annual SOLACE summit, keep up with all the latest news and views from the conference and its members here.
News
EXCLUSIVE: LGA improvement cash could be slashed
Smith Square’s top-slice funding could be slashed under plans being considered by Whitehall over fears the sector-led improvement regime is not delivering good value.
EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs warning to May if austerity not lifted
More councils face scaling back services to a minimum statutory offer if prime minister Theresa May reneges on her promise of ‘better times ahead,’ local authority chief executives have warned.
SOLACE Summit: Councils are at back of austerity queue
Councils are at the ‘end of the queue’ when it comes to receiving funding from the Treasury, the chief executive of Brighton & Hove Council has said.
Preston City Council asked to support second Brexit referendum
Preston City Council is to be asked to support a second referendum on Brexit this week following a motion put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Darby.
Rural Dorset councils to cut more than 200 management posts
Councils in rural Dorset are to cut more than 200 management posts, and the job losses could in time save between £6m and £8m a year.
Casey: Involve councils in sorting Universal Credit
Whitehall must use the expertise of councils to sort out Universal Credit (UC), a former senior Government adviser has told The MJ.
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Opinion
Positive powers amid adversity
Local government chiefs say budget cuts, managing citizen expectations and the reducing workforce are the top three challenges they face. Dan Peters reports on our The MJ/SOLACE survey
Politics may be coming home
Local government had a ‘pretty good showing’ during the party conferences says Dr Jonathan Carr-West. He hopes it could be the start of a much-needed public debate on the local state
Promises, promises – and election pledges
The IFS Green Budget – its pre-Budget financial briefing – is always an interesting read, says Heather Jameson. The conclusion is, the Government can’t keep all of its promises
The dilemma facing the chancellor in the Budget
Never have expectations from the Budget on 29 October been so high, explains Michael Burton - and never has the chancellor’s influence over events that will effect his forecasts been so low
Taking solace in SOLACE
Being a public service leader has never been more difficult, according to Jo Miller, who – in the build up to this week’s Society of Local Authority Chief Executives conference – says that strong leadership is as important and rewarding as ever
When austerity ends, will anyone notice?
Theresa May is right to say that if there's a Brexit deal by next March there will be a boost to the economy, says Michael Burton. But can her party ensure the electorate notices her commitment to spending increases and a balanced budget?
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Best Practice
A winning partnership
Outsourcing is often seen in a negative context – but when managed correctly public-private partnerships, Richard Crouch believes, can be a win-win for all involved
Analysis
A sticking plaster on social care?
Health secretary Matt Hancock’s social care cash announcement at the Conservative Party conference was overshadowed by the Prime Minister’s housing announcements, but Ann McGauran asks if it goes far enough
Private sector
Report warns of 'dangerous' reliance on suppliers
Councils are concentrating more than half their total spend with their top five suppliers, new research has revealed.
Market 'saturated' with council trading companies
Almost two-thirds of councils have established trading companies, new research has found.
Lincolnshire to renew troubled Serco contract
Lincolnshire CC is to renew its support services contract with Serco for a further two years.