Communities
Close co-operation to aid our communities
As Solace's annual Summit gets underway in Birmingham this week, president Martin Swales urges local authorities to work with others on building their local economies.
Mending a shattered society
Local government must be the glue that mends the broken bonds of our communities, writes Donna Hall.
Success starts with the community
Ahead of the London Councils Summit, Cllr Catherine Faulks explains that local government leaders have signed up to developing a pan-London Charter for Business with the aim of better supporting the city's economy while driving inclusive growth.
Growing the grassroots - putting communities at the heart of place-making
Graham Duxbury of Groundwork says a new survey of community groups reveals the gap is growing between local need and the capacity to respond.
Calls to back councils in counter-extremism strategy
A ‘bold new approach’ to tackling extremism that would see local authorities’ role bolstered has been recommended in a new report.
Five steps to digital transformation for UK libraries
Public libraries in the UK face a range of challenges. Douglas White reviews potential models for their digital future, building on the Carnegie legacy.
Bristol mayor creates UK-first social investment scheme
Bristol’s mayor is hoping to mobilise the investment power of businesses to tackle the city’s challenges in a scheme thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Councils shouldn’t be afraid to let go
Local government will need the support and collaboration of communities to tackle the big social challenges we face, argues Joe Wills of Centre for London.
Social action - core to community wellbeing
John Tizard explains how local authorities can rebuild and transform relations with the voluntary and community sector.
Pride in Camden
Camden LBC's leader Georgia Gould and chief executive Jenny Rowlands explain to Heather Jameson how they are reshaping council meetings and pulling in their communities to create a modern, vibrant council of the future.
The new outsourcing landscape
With the impact of austerity and the collapse of high-profile firms like Carillion, outsourcing is under pressure. Council chief executives gathered at a Serco/The MJ round table to look at the future of contracting out. Heather Jameson reports
Building from the ground up
Dr Jonathan Carr-West says the energy directed at Brexit could have been focused on other things - and councils should have a settlement with their communities so they can build a stronger national constitutional framework from the bottom up.
Refurbishment puts Fairfield Halls firmly at the heart of Croydon's regeneration
The reopening of Croydon's iconic Fairfield Halls after a multi-million pound refurbishment is an ambitious council project that is creating unique opportunities for people to experience and take part in the arts, says Paula Murray.
It’s time to reboot localism, says think tank
Local authorities should formally commit to including the neighbourhood in all decision making processes, says Centre for London.
Solace preview: Cohesion – the social glue
How do we create a more integrated society in volatile times? Jo Broadwood outlines what councils and others involved in promoting cohesion say they need to support their work.
If you're going to engage you've got to mean it
In Taiwan, revolutionary Government minister Audrey Tang is pioneering online public consultation. Heather Jameson asks if crowdsourcing public policy is the future of engagement - but that if you do it you have to be serious about it.
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
A fighting chance to support development
Changes to how the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) can be used came into effect this month - and should give councils better opportunities to deliver infrastructure effectively to support development, say Tiffany Cloynes and Natalie Harries.
Lessons from the collapse of Bury FC
The sad demise of Bury FC will hopefully provoke a long overdue debate on how English football is governed, says Paul Wheeler.
Joining the new power dots
Donna Hall explains that ‘permanently wiring new power’ into the way the organisation and system do business takes time and is difficult, but it is the only way it will work for the long-term.