News
Criticism over pace of change at Grenfell council
‘Strategic weaknesses’ are preventing Kensington and Chelsea LBC from becoming a ‘high performing’ council, according to a panel.
Kneller appointed chief executive for East Hampshire and Havant
East Hampshire DC and Havant BC have approved the permanent appointment of Gill Kneller as their shared chief executive.
Government borrowing hits four-year high
The next Chancellor faces a disappointing batch of figures on the public finances with borrowing in June at its highest for that month in four years.
Social care director leaves Somerset
Somerset CC’s adult services director, who featured on Panorama’s investigation into the state of the social care system, is to leave the authority.
South Kesteven chief steps down
Aidan Rave has stepped down as the chief executive of South Kesteven DC to pursue new ventures.
New management model with no chief proposed
Redcar and Cleveland BC hopes to save about £220,000 per year by scrapping its chief executive role as part of a new management model.
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Opinion
The uncertainty principle
Simone Hines says that when the variables are so great – e.g. a full business rates reset or no reset – 'it’s still hard to know where to pitch our financial position to members'.
We cannot afford to take no for an answer
Louise Round says Tandridge DC was not 'one of the lucky 50' to get through to the second round of the Future High Streets funding round. She hopes Government will not make the second stage disproportionately difficult for councils to take part in.
Can we have both quality and quantity in new homes?
Michael Burton asks: 'Is it any wonder that the public are suspicious of the planning system when they see little benefit other than shoddy new estates and overloaded public services?'
Right time for the Western Powerhouse
Lord Kerslake says the launch of the Western Powerhouse complements the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine and sets out a programme of action to address the growing inequalities between London and the wider South East and the rest of the UK
Collaborative leadership for thriving places
PlaceMakers is an immersive programme that brings local leaders from all sectors together to develop a collective understanding of their place. Anna Randle explains why single-sector leadership development programmes ‘are increasingly not enough’
Going places
Martin Reeves says despite the Treasury’s positive assessment of the Total Place pilots over a decade ago, the initiative fell off the radar. He calls on the new Prime Minister to ‘reinvigorate a successor’.
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Best Practice
A truly cooperative council
Tudor Evans outlines how communities in Plymouth have crowdfunded the money they need for around 60 projects, with the council backing the funds raised with up to double the amount. The council is now on the final shortlist for a global award.
Analysis
Standards bearer
As communities secretary James Brokenshire launched a review of the local government audit regime, he spoke to Heather Jameson about his plans to drive governance and performance
Private sector
Kier dropped from major infrastructure project
The construction firm’s role in the King’s Dyke crossing project has ended following discussions with Cambridgeshire CC and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
Public sector drives growth at Galliford Try
Developments with local authorities have delivered a boost to construction firm Galliford Try.
Kier share price slumps to new low
Shares in Kier Group fell to a record low this week after two influential fund managers cut their stakes in the outsourcing specialist.