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
Social care reform depends on market overhaul
Social care reform will ‘fail’ without addressing weaknesses in the provider market, a think-tank has warned.
Storm brewing over exit payment data demands
Government demands for details of senior staff pay-offs have been branded ‘particularly pernicious’ and unfairly aimed at local government.
Campaign launched to reverse centralisation
Local government must ‘turn the tide’ on 40 years in which its autonomy has been eroded, a new report has concluded.
Thurrock workers strike in pay dispute
Workers at Thurrock BC have embarked on a three-week strike amid claims their pay is to be ‘slashed’.
LGA distances itself from fire safety guide
The Local Government Association (LGA) has distanced itself from guidance hosted on its website that has been criticised in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Scotland 'should grasp nettle' of council tax reform
Holyrood should go further in overhauling taxation, research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has concluded.
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Opinion
Preventing young offenders signing up for a life sentence
Steve Ainsworth explores alternative ways to engage young people and help them turn their back on crime.
A fresh start for the sector?
Josh Bembridge asks if, post-pandemic, the landscape has changed for future delivery of services across local government?
The case for remote meetings to continue
The Local Government Act 1972 permits council meetings to take place virtually, argue John Austin and Quentin Baker. A change in the law is not required, in their view.
A philosophy of complaints
Nick Graham looks at whether ‘honour cultures’ might teach us more effective methods of resolving disputes – and outlines practical ways to foster an honour-based approach.
On-demand democracy delivered to your door
Gill Kneller has 'always felt that democracy not only needs to be happening but needs to be seen to be happening for our communities to be truly interested in it.'. That is why keeping virtual meetings is critical, she adds.
Tapping into local potential
Des Murray shares his experiences of working with the DFN Project SEARCH and highlights why other local authorities and companies should get involved with the charity.
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Best Practice
How to help statutory officers do their duties
Clare Hardy looks at how councils can involve statutory officers effectively in decision-making and help avoid the need to issue section 5 or section 114 reports.
Analysis
‘My pandemic isn’t over until yours is’
To build back better after COVID-19 we must start to view the health of our population as an asset, says Alice Wiseman – and this means investing in the conditions that create it.
Private sector
What is the future role of directors of public health?
As the COVID-19 pandemic has gripped the nation, the profile of directors of public health (DPH) has risen massively. So what does the role look like now?
Firms hired for transformation help
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council has appointed KPMG and Agilisys as its strategic implementation partners to support delivery of its transformation programme.
Risks with council-owned companies
A clear, systematic framework is needed that underpins arrangements for overseeing and engaging with their companies to ensure councils’ interests are safeguarded, says chief executive of Local Partnerships Sean Hanson.
