Communications
Add value, not noise
During this crisis, people are looking to local leaders for answers and visibility, says Andrew St Ledger – and he outlines five key communications lessons that focus on ‘getting the basics right’.
A nine-point guide to COVID-19 crisis communications
Communications has often been seen as a luxury, says Richard Stokoe – but this time it is ‘at the centre of quashing the spread of COVID-19, protecting the health and social care sector and saving lives’.
5 recommendations for managing a different type of crisis
Jon Ainger offers five recommendations for public sector leaders who are able to take a moment to look at what happens after this initial period of crisis.
McManus to speak on coronavirus planning
The vice president of the Association of Directors of Public Health, Jim McManus, is to address chief executive delegates about planning for coronavirus at The MJ Future Forum later this month.
As ever, councils do better than Whitehall when it comes to expectations of fair treatment
Only a third of the British expect central Government to treat them fairly, while a half expect their local council to do so, according to the latest Ipsos MORI global study looking at perceptions of public services, says Ben Page.
Boston urged to ‘shout loudly’
The council has been told it should be proud of its achievements following a corporate peer challenge by the Local Government Association.
Council leader resigns after being 'kept in the dark'
Torridge DC has elected a new leader after a stinging resignation statement from its outgoing top councillor.
Name change is for asbest
This week Diary has donned its foreign correspondent hat to bring you news from Canadian shores.
And then there were 3
The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun.
Grenfell inquiry: Better communication between councils and fire services needed
‘Far better direct communication’ between local authorities and fire and rescue services is needed, an official inquiry has urged.
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.