Plymouth named local authority of the year at MJ Achievement Awards
The council took home the top gong at glittering ceremony.
News
Levelling up 'must start with councils'
A panel of experts has agreed council funding is key to addressing regional inequalities.
Leicestershire faces worsening financial crisis
Leicestershire CC has said factors such as COVID-19 have left it facing a worsening financial crisis.
Hughes hints at multi-year funding settlement
Junior minister Eddie Hughes has attempted to reassure councils that a multi-year funding settlement may be approaching.
Commission calls for shift of focus in levelling up
The Commission into Prosperity and Community Placemaking has concluded investment should be made in local neighbourhoods rather than grand infrastructure projects.
Parr to step down after 38 years in sector
Halton Council’s chief executive, David Parr, is to step down at the end of March.
Slough approves asset fire sale
Crisis-hit Slough Council has approved plans to flog around £600m worth of assets as it battles to get its finances under control.
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Opinion
Three priorities for the new education secretary
Donna Molloy of the Early Intervention Foundation outlines three priorities for the new secretary of state for education Nadhim Zahawi and says there’s a ‘window of opportunity’ for positive change.
Reimagining culture for our local communities
Arts Council England will stand with local authorities that seize the chance to build a vibrant new reality for every place, born out of creativity, says Darren Henley.
Social care plan is quickly losing its sheen
The Government has a plan for asset protection but still does not have a proper plan for social care, says Richard Humphries. ‘No wonder so many involved in social care are so deeply disappointed.’
HMJ: The role of local authorities in care reforms
Anja Beriro of Browne Jacobson outlines the role local authorities will play in the new Integrated Care Systems and what steps they can take to make them better prepared for changes in the delivery of health and social care.
Making a success of succession
Simon Ray at Hamptons Resourcing looks at the benefits of having a clear policy of succession planning, and offers some key tips to ensure your organisation’s strategy is an effective one.
Leisure and wellbeing services face a serious and immediate threat
The National Leisure Recovery Fund’s distribution of £100m was welcome, but must go further, argues Cllr Dan Humphreys.
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Best Practice
Protecting tenants the Bristol way
Bristol City Council’s Rogue Landlord Unit has saved 345 tenancies in two years, says Shona Ali. She reports on a survey of councils and looks at long-term solutions to ensure protection for all renters.
Analysis
County deals are ‘absolutely the answer’
Tim Oliver takes over this week as the new chair of the County Councils’ Network. He talks to Ann McGauran about devolution deals – and says unitarisation is ‘pretty much dead in the water’.
Private sector
HMJ: Time to build upon the digital journey
To build a sound future for our health services, we must accelerate the digital journey, as Paul Sanders at Civica explains.
Expert guidance for the future of council companies
Strategic director of Local Partnerships David Crowe highlights guidance to help councils review their existing companies and learn lessons from others’ experiences.
Mind the Gap
Geoff Tucker at Norse explains how partnership income is easing councils’ funding gap.
