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
'No safeguarding concerns' found two months before murder of abused Arthur
Social workers visited abused six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes just two months before his death but concluded there were ‘no safeguarding concerns,’ a court has heard.
Nottingham uncovers serious finance error
Nottingham City Council is taking urgent action after uncovering a serious accounting error while it battles with its failing finances.
Call for minimum funding 'floor'
Hampshire CC’s leader has called for the introduction of a funding ‘floor’ to ensure all councils receive a minimum level of core spending power.
Call for fresh powers from ombudsman
England’s local government ombudsman today demands wide-ranging new powers to investigate complaints across town halls, social care and education amid concern current regimes are outdated.
Cornwall plans to cut 400 jobs
The cuts are part of plans to save £55m in order to balance the council’s budget in 2022-23.
Dementia tops COVID for care home death cause
Coronavirus was the second highest cause of deaths among care home residents behind dementia last year, according to latest figures.
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Opinion
Time for a change (again)?
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove’s hints that local enterprise partnerships are ‘under review’ reminds Michael Burton of how governments cannot resist the temptation to reorganise
Youth justice is in need of a redesign
Shocking television exposure of aggressive staff behaviour towards children at the Medway Secure Training Centre should have been a watershed moment, but five years on this is still not the case, says Charlotte Ramsden
'Tis the season to be merry - and for change
There has never been a more exciting time to be a procurement expert in the public sector, says Rob Whiteman.
A commitment to civil debate
Cllr Arooj Shah has been the target of recent threats and harassment. Leaders from all parties in Oldham have now come together to add their signature to a ‘politics, not personalities’ pledge, she explains.
County lines and the blight on our young
The justice system is not providing the adequate protection required by vulnerable children who are being exploited by ‘county lines’ criminal gangs, says Julian Hayes.
Experience counts
Kathryn Reed at Tile Hill looks at how the ‘candidate experience’ will make your organisation stand out in the market for talent.
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Best Practice
Putting the people first in Breckland
Breckland DC’s new chief executive Maxine O’Mahony talks to Ann McGauran about how her HR background colours her priorities, and the council’s ‘grow your own’ approach to staff development.
Analysis
Halting a rise in hatred
What can be done to deter incidents of abuse and harassment of local politicians and to sanction those responsible? Ann McGauran reports.
Private sector
Levelling up – how to negotiate the challenges ahead
Local Partnerships will host a lunchtime webinar to look at how councils can get maximum leverage though schemes with private partners and deliver projects that can be the catalyst for further investment.
Councils' USP is their focus on employees as people
Sue Atkinson, Anne Sullivan and Sonia Tanda at Penna say it's time to talk about your council's diversity and inclusion strategy, physical and mental health initiatives and your organisational culture.
Why not put schools at the heart of place-wide net-zero Carbon transition?
EQUANS is working with schools, councils, and Multi-Academy Trusts to benchmark their current energy and carbon consumption and provide detailed ‘Roadmap Reports’ that demonstrate how they can decarbonise and save energy.
