Title
FINANCE
Financial reform cannot wait
By Owen Mapley | 18 February 2026
Owen Mapley says the finance settlement provides breathing space for many authorities – but this is not the same as financial resilience.
FINANCE
Local government finance settlement leaves sector divided
By Martin Ford | 17 February 2026
The most controversial local government finance settlement for years has divided the sector. Mart...
FINANCE
Balancing optimism and realism in Wokingham
By Susan Parsonage | 10 February 2026
Susan Parsonage looks at how the revised financial settlement will impact local authorities such ...
FINANCE
CIPFA: Councils' demand and deficit risks deepen
By Ann McGauran | 20 January 2026
Councils are holding higher debt levels and lower usable reserves, leaving the system more levera...
BUDGET 2025
The Budget: A step towards fiscal devo
By Heather Jameson | 02 December 2025
The Budget took its first steps towards local government finance reform and Total Place 2.0, but ...
SOCIAL CARE
The cost of improvement in children's social care
By William Burns | 02 December 2025
William Burns says that improvement to children’s social care is both complex, costly and long te...
BUDGET 2025
Budget: Council tax, levies and local accountability
By Iain Murray | 01 December 2025
The Budget announcements on the ‘mansion tax’, the visitor levy and SEND suggested a system stuck...
CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Ofsted to drop headline 'one word' judgement for children's services inspections
By Ann McGauran | 27 November 2025
Ofsted has confirmed plans to change inspections of local authorities’ children’s services (ILACS...
NCASC
Profit cap on children's placement providers 'won't be worth the paper it's written on'
By Ann McGauran | 27 November 2025
Any profit cap on providers of children’s placements in England ‘won’t be worth the paper it’s wr...
NCASC
Counting care costs
By Ann McGauran | 27 November 2025
Councils continue to face steep rises in the cost of care in both children and adult services. As...
COHESION
Standing firm in the fight for hope
By Aneeka Muneer | 27 November 2025
Aneeka Muneer says that with community tensions growing, the Law Society’s new framework will be ...
Executive Director of Place and Customer
up to £179,404 per annum
Shape the Future of Essex. Drive climate action. Deliver for our communities. Apply for this job
Director of Social Work and Social Care
£100,731 to £104,625
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£52,413 - £59,615 per year
This is a role with real strategic influence. From shaping policy and commissioning service improvements Apply for this job
Executive Director of Place and Customer
up to £179,404 per annum
Shape the Future of Essex. Drive climate action. Deliver for our communities. Apply for this job
Director of Social Work and Social Care
£100,731 to £104,625
You will join a values-driven senior leadership team, providing visible and responsive leadership. Apply for this job
Environmental Services Contract Manager
£52,413 - £59,615 per year
This is a role with real strategic influence. From shaping policy and commissioning service improvements Apply for this job
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