Communications
We’re bringing our people closer to us
Dudley MBC has embraced the use of its website and social media presence, allowing residents to get closer than ever to the people providing their services. Cllr Patrick Harley discusses the experience so far
Brexit planning: putting people first
For Bristol, the risks of Brexit run in to ‘several millions of pounds’, explains the Mayor Marvin Rees. While he says the city is being proactive, he calls on the government to take a number of steps to help.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick pledges to improve Brexit communications
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick has promised to make communication from Whitehall on Brexit more streamlined and clearer than in the past, The MJ understands.
Councils lose appeal to keep publishing fortnightly newspaper
Two London boroughs have lost their final legal appeal to keep publishing their fortnightly newsletters.
Council to change finance approach after review
Warrington BC has ‘consistently overspent’ against parts of its budget and needs to change its approach to deliver services ‘from a more sustainable financial footing’.
Worcestershire calls early end to Civica contract
Worcestershire CC is to pull out of a customer service contract with Civica halfway through its term.
Councils to appeal 'town hall Pravdas' ruling
Waltham Forest and Hackney LBCs will appeal after a judge backed Government attempts to stop them publishing a council newspaper every two weeks.
Information sharing tensions found in child harm review
Legal and ethical tensions between maintaining confidentiality and sharing information are continuing, a review of some of the most serious child protection cases in Scotland has found.
Council preparations for Brexit 'hampered' by Whitehall
Whitehall’s lack of focus and co-ordination ‘hampered’ councils’ preparations for Brexit in the run-up to April 12, a Local Government Association (LGA) report has said.
EXCLUSIVE: New protocol to ease council tensions
A protocol encouraging best practice between councils will be drawn up by the Local Government Association (LGA) as tensions grow around increasing out of area placements, The MJ understands.
Data demand over settled status bids
Councils have refused to give up after their request to access Home Office data on application rates for settled status was knocked back.
Good Grief
Council press officers often have to deal with difficult and awkward journalists.And so it is apt that South Derbyshire DC has a press officer called Sue Grief.
The £1m question: How corporate are you?
As we approach the end of the financial year senior managers anxiously request projections. Will the budget be overspent or underspent? It will be one or the other, says Blair Mcpherson.
No Hastings retreat here
Diary has recently been listening to Mark Steel’s Radio 4 series in which the comic visits various towns around the country.
MHCLG: Councils are not doing enough to prepare for Brexit
Councils are not doing enough to prepare for Brexit and need to step up their game, the concerned Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has told sector figures.
EXCLUSIVE: Brokenshire gets Brexit breakdown from chiefs
Chief executives have told communities secretary James Brokenshire Whitehall needs to be more joined up between departments and in its communications with councils over Brexit.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils warn Whitehall of Brexit risks
Councils this week started to formally inform Whitehall about their Brexit risk assessments amid fears of crime spikes, public demonstrations and food bottlenecks.
Allied Healthcare winds up council contracts
A major care services provider is winding up all its contracts with local authorities after the regulator warned it was about to go bust.
Social media: steering a path
Research by The MJ and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives shows approximately seven out of 10 council bosses use Twitter for work – but Dan Peters wonders if they are making the most of the ‘huge benefits’ social media can offer
Harriss gets top job at Harrow
Harrow LBC has appointed Sean Harriss to be its new chief executive, taking over from interim boss Tom Whiting next year.