ADEPT
The first cuts are the deepest
Sector experts talk to Martin Ford about the effects of job cuts on councils’ resilience, the impact of austerity on the number of leadership positions and the downsides of super-directorates.
Thinking critically in the Rubik’s cube of place
Neil Gibson, facilitator of ADEPT and Amey’s Pioneering, Action-orientated, Creative and Entrepreneurial programme, explains the importance of investing in thought leadership.
Call for Government clarity over waste allocations
A senior sector figure has called for clarity and certainty about how much funding councils will receive when producers start paying to recycle packaging.
SEND school transport’s impossible situation
Suzanne Smith and Ann Carruthers set out recommendations to government from a report highlighting the unsustainable pressures councils face from the cost of providing SEND school transport.
ADEPT: Ministers have undermined confidence in new burdens doctrine
Confidence in the new burdens doctrine has been ‘undermined’ by ministers, council directors have warned.
Reform call ahead of vehicle tax widening
A senior local government figure has called for the expansion of vehicle excise duty (VED) to zero-emission vehicles to be an ‘opportunity to reform’.
Government accused of 'paralysing' councils on waste
The Government has been accused of leaving frustrated councils ‘paralysed’ by ‘painfully slow’ progress pushing through its waste strategy.
Leading the charge on climate action
The Blueprint Coalition’s Manifesto for Local Climate Action outlines four key demands for all political parties as the sector looks ahead to the General Election, says Anthony Payne.
We need to be trusted more
Councils may now risk an end to their borrowing freedoms, but ADEPT’s new president Anthony Payne is adamant authorities need to take a creative yet strategic approach to delivering local growth. Ann McGauran reports.
Council funding plea ahead of LEP wind-down
Council directors have called for the Government to protect them from a financial hit as Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions are transferred to English councils.
Storm warning
In the week of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) Autumn conference in Leeds, Mark Kemp reflects on place leadership and explores how councils can provide stability in times of government upheaval.
President's warning over fiscal plan delay
The head of a council directors’ body has warned the delay to the chancellor’s fiscal plan will pile further pressure onto local government.
Taking the zero carbon road
The Government-funded Live Labs 2 programme is a chance for local authorities to show they are truly serious about delivering zero carbon in their places, says Neil Gibson.
Inflation’s stealthy impact
Double-digit inflation is putting huge pressure on councils, with impacts including fuel price hikes, calls for higher pay increases and soaring contract costs. Martin Ford speaks to sector experts.
Call for inflation support from Truss
Councils have warned of service cuts if new Prime Minister Liz Truss fails to provide further financial support for the sector.
'Perfect storm' warning over supply chain pressures
Supply chain pressures are mounting up on local government, with place directors warning of a ‘perfect storm’.
Making the green decision pay off
In the week of the ADEPT Spring Conference, new president Mark Kemp says - while some are saying we can’t afford net zero - we need to think more boldly and take more risks.
Tackling skills and supply deficits
More than half of councils are reporting disruption to their services due to not having the right staff. Ian Thompson looks at how local government can deal with skills and supply deficits.
Places’ key role in changing times
Leaders from a range of local government disciplines came together at a conference to consider how place fits at a time of rapid change and to lay out their future priorities. Ann McGauran reports.
Afghan matching delays should be decreasing, insists mandarin
Delays in matching Afghan refugees with available accommodation should now be decreasing, a senior Home Office mandarin has claimed.