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
LGA asked to act on community cohesion
Council leaders have spoken of their concern about rising tensions within their communities.
Manchester poised to bring housing management in-house
A review of the city council’s housing company has proposed to insource the management of its stock
EXCLUSIVE: Government U-turn on shielding data request
The Government has rowed back from demanding councils provide a wide range of data on their shielding work after an outcry from the sector.
Cotswold to recruit chief executive
The council will create the new post following the retirement of head of paid service Nigel Adams.
Hughes gets key OBR role
A former Treasury director has been nominated to become the next chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), the public finances watchdog.
Councils call for access to cheaper short-term loans
Councils should have access to short-term loans with delayed repayments to help them through the coronavirus pandemic, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said today.
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Opinion
Give councils the powers and funds to transform their societies
As counties begin to move out of the most stringent lockdown measures, CCN member councils will be starting to set out bold visions for their areas, says Simon Edwards.
Successful community initiatives should not depend on having friends in high places
Success in working with councils depends on knowing committed insiders, says Luca Tiratelli of the New Local Government Network.
We have an opportunity to radically reinvent ourselves
Our new coronavirus-shaped world has changed beyond recognition, says Gill Kneller - and If we’re going to thrive, recovery will be key, 'but we simultaneously need to reinvent ourselves'.
The lesson of the last 10 weeks
Increasing social capital in the long-term could be a positive legacy of the crisis and councils are surely the bodies to enable it, argues Claire Kober.
Time for some creative thinking on safeguarding
With many key partners having closed their doors, local authorities need to think differently about safeguarding children to make sure they don’t fall through the net, warns Anne Longfield.
It makes good sense to diversify income
Some of the commentary on commerciality implies councils are going into these investments recklessly, and that is simply not the case, says Simone Hines. Continuing to be creative and innovative with council finances is going to be vital, she adds.
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Best Practice
Mockingbird: Supporting foster families
A Flintshire CC support system for foster families was awarded innovation funding last week. Angharad Dalton of Nesta looks at what it offers.
Analysis
Councils must challenge Government fearlessly for pandemic cash
Local government needs to reach out to others to support a campaign for Government to meet its duty to fund local authority shortfalls, says John Tizard.
Private sector
Council-owned housing company set for approval
Manchester City Council is set to approve plans for a new housing development company to deliver at least 500 new homes every year.
Will COVID-19 mean we tackle poor leadership head-on?
COVID-19 has put leadership right in the spotlight, says Julie Towers. The early findings of the annual MJ Leadership Survey pre-COVID noted a positive move towards more authentic and adaptive leadership, she adds.
Successful homeworking: from BT’s people to you
Homeworking might be new to your organisation, but there are lots of ways to make it work for you says Dr Nicola Millard.
