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
Government threatens borrowing cap return
The Government has threatened to apply statutory borrowing caps on councils that continue to expose themselves to excessive risk.
Council grants oversight ‘not fit for purpose’
The governance of grants worth millions to registered housing providers by Bristol City Council has been heavily criticised by internal auditors.
LGA boosts finance help
Local authority leaders have laid out a raft of changes aimed at helping councils become more financially sustainable and resilient in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slough to make £200m capitalisation request
Slough Council is to ask the Government for a further capitalisation direction worth as much as £200m.
Tighter planning rules to protect communities from flood risk
Councils should ensure all planning applications made in flood risk areas are referred to ministers for approval under new guidance published today.
Councils appoint joint chief executive
Jonathan Stephenson will take on the role at Brentwood BC and Rochford DC for an initial six months from next month.
Read More News...
Opinion
Creating the new normal
George Thorley looks at our nations’ challenges as they start to look beyond the pandemic. He argues for the strengthening of the role of local government as a key component of the new normal.
Improving digital and social inclusion in Notts
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System has made strong progress in rolling out public facing digital services and innovative inclusion approaches. Rosie Atkin explains how it was done.
Unravelling the knot of education, health and care plans
Leo Jones lays out the deeper challenges that need to be recognised and addressed if the SEND review is going to tackle the complex problems behind rising numbers of education, health and care plans.
Adjusting our approach to ESG treasury management
CIPFA will be working to strengthen treasury management practice by including updates on environmental, social and governance related matters to the existing risk management section of its treasury management code, says Rob Whiteman.
'Growing our own' jobs will require investment in local councils
If Government wants to maximise the bang for its buck in levelling up the country, then it must start investing in local councils and allow them to skill up local people from all backgrounds, argues Paul O'Brien.
The simple fact is that reading matters
Diana Gerald, CEO of children’s reading charity BookTrust, explains plans to pilot a new, national library experience called BookTrust Storytime in the Autumn, developed in partnership with libraries and local authorities.
Read More Opinion...
Best Practice
Easing COVID pressures in south London
The South London Listens partnership has brought together councils, the NHS, Citizens UK and others to address the pandemic-related pressures residents have told them they face. The process has been demanding but inspiring, says Sir Norman Lamb.
Analysis
Building on a culture of innovation in Kingston
Kingston RLBC learned lessons from its COVID response that will change both the jobs staff do in future and where those roles are based. Tessa Cole talks to Ann McGauran about ‘a real shift and disruption in working practices’.
Private sector
Government needs to prep SMEs for net-zero
The Government needs to step up its COP26 campaigns to get small and medium sized businesses ready for net-zero, the chair of a Parliamentary committee has warned.
View from the Hill
Councils can help break the cycle of gender pay inequality, says director at Tile Hill Executive Recruitment Greg Hayes.
Northgate Public Services undergoes name change
The company provides technology for health, housing, police and local government internationally and was acquired by the NEC group in 2018.
