News
Council scraps chief's post
Hertsmere BC has scrapped the post of chief executive as part of a move to a ‘more cost-effective management structure’.
St Helens chief to leave
The chief executive of St Helens MBC is to step down from the role next week, it has been announced.
Drive to check council readiness for Brexit
The Department for Education (DfE) is attempting to gain a better understanding of school sector and council readiness just weeks before the Government’s Brexit deadline.
Care complaints becoming 'ever more serious'
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) is having to carry out a higher proportion of detailed investigations, suggesting complaints about adult care are becoming ‘ever more serious’.
Think-tank calls for more local taxes
There appear to be ‘few’ legislative barriers to bringing in new local taxes as long as the money raised went towards local authority expenditure, think-tank IPPR Scotland has said.
Government remains open to non-mayoral devo deals
The Government remains open to striking devolution deals without the requirement for a directly-elected mayor, The MJ understands.
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Opinion
If you're going to engage you've got to mean it
In Taiwan, revolutionary Government minister Audrey Tang is pioneering online public consultation. Heather Jameson asks if crowdsourcing public policy is the future of engagement - but that if you do it you have to be serious about it.
Spend 2.5% of UK’s GDP on tackling climate change and air quality, say London’s environment and public health directors
This Sunday, 22 September, is car free day. Stephen Evans and Dr Tamara Djuretic highlight London’s focus on policy solutions such as restricted and emissions-based parking, low emissions zones and better walking and cycling infrastructure.
Navigating the legal risks of investing in property
Some local government treasurers are asking if today's property investment companies will be tomorrow's Icelandic banks, says Helen Randall. She outlines the legal pitfalls to navigate and the key commercial aspects to consider.
Data the key to supporting through UC
As Universal Credit replaces Housing Benefit, local authorities will lose access to the rich data that allows them to target support, warns Deven Ghelani.
Where next for devolution?
The Government needs to turn its devolution vows into action, by showing that its renewed enthusiasm has solid foundations and is more than 'mere pork barrelling', says Arianna Giovannini.
The Treasury needs to take a place-based view
In its latest broadside, the Institute for Government agrees with local government's view that because it is closest to services it is better placed to manage spending more effectively, says Michael Burton.
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Best Practice
Putting a public health approach at the heart of the response
Waltham Forest LBC has had a longstanding commitment to tackling youth gang culture. But Heather Flinders says that in 2017, after four more gang-related murders, the council chose to boost its response within a ‘re-imagined public health approach’
Analysis
Ready for the revolution?
With the rise of technology in the workplace, Nesta and The MJ asked local government frontline workers and staff about their councils’ approach to innovation. Heather Jameson reports on the results.
Private sector
Kier slumps to ‘disappointing’ £245m loss
Kier Group has announced losses of £245m following what its chief executive conceded was a ‘difficult’ year.
Capita to pay Real Living Wage from April
Capita has said it will pay all UK employees a minimum of the Real Living Wage from April, increasing the salaries of almost 6,000 employees.
Councils plan for Kier exit
Councils have been making plans after Kier decided to exit the waste industry.