ADEPT
A blueprint for locally-led green recovery
A coalition including councils, Ashden, ADEPT and others is arguing for five priorities for action to ensure the UK meets its 2050 net zero emissions target, says Cara Jenkinson.
Helping places through a harder tier system
Struggling local economies need focused support, says Darryl Eyers. Government must 'empower and fund local authorities and let us get on with making decisions rather than constrain us with centralised control', he adds.
We need a detailed green recovery map
Nigel Riglar says while the Government’s emphasis on green recovery provides a way to tackle many of the most pressing issues facing us, a coherent policy framework and sufficient investment are key.
Five steps to delivering local green retrofit skills
A zero carbon Britain by 2050 depends on creating new green jobs across the construction sector. Councils need to take action now to make sure communities have the skills required, says Cara Jenkinson.
EXCLUSIVE: How are districts surviving the pandemic?
A recent report has revealed the relative impact of the pandemic on districts’ economic vulnerability and their ability to recover. Dan Peters talks to councils named in the research about the findings.
‘Give places the funding to rebuild’
Nigel Riglar says we need to aim for more than a simple recovery, as our problems are too pressing, and councils must respond collectively to make the case for greater funding.
Making the case for a bigger cake
Darryl Eyers explains why four local professional associations have come together alongside the LGA to make a collective case to Government for the right long-term resources
Be more than just good at your job
Nicola McCoy Brown says that while she hadn’t reached her third decade of work ‘without knowing the mechanics’, ADEPT’s leadership development programme in partnership with SOLACE has given her ‘a wider network, learning and reinvention’.
Clear leadership from the government is needed on public health
Wellbeing should be built into the fabric of Government decision-making when it comes to both policy-making and funding allocation - and it is time for a multi-year funding settlement for public health, says Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy.
Creating the right climate for change
The climate emergency is one of the most crucial issues faced by councils. The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) has created an expert panel to assess projects and share knowledge. Nigel Riglar explains.
Changing places
Paula Hewitt reports from a place leaders programme that offers the opportunity ‘to share, test ideas and draw on others’ knowledge.
We are forced to 'eke out too little to too many people' says social care chief
Too many social workers, managers and councillors 'are having to make invidious decisions to eke out too little to too many people whose needs are increasing' says social care chief Julie Ogley.
Government accused of trying to 'dictate' recycling rules
Local government figures are resisting proposals to standardise recycling across the country.
EXCLUSIVE: Call for inspection pause in case of Brexit hit
Council chiefs have urged Whitehall to be ready to ease pressures on the sector for up to six months if Brexit threatens to stretch capacity.
Whitehall reassurance on local industrial strategies
Senior civil servants have pledged that local industrial strategies will be rolled out everywhere by 2021, The MJ understands.
LGA calls for government to lift planning fees freeze
Councils have ramped up their calls for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to meet its commitment to allow them to increase planning fees by 20%.
Stretched councils criticise ministers for 'passing buck' on air quality
Council directors have piled in on the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, claiming ministers have shifted the burden of implementing ‘politically unpalatable’ measures onto overstretched authorities.
Hopkins to head new council company
Sunderland City Council has appointed Alex Hopkins as chief executive of a new company being established to steer forward children’s services in the city.
Get up and go
ADEPT – the Association of Directors of Environment. Economy, Planning and Transport – under the guidance of its president, Heather Barnes, aims to be the go-to organisation for all issues relating to place, as Dan Peters found out.
Transformative conversations
Creating meaningful partnerships between councils and their communities requires honest dialogue and serious commitment to building trust, writes Neil Gibson
