Communities
Barrow urged to ‘maintain momentum’
New ways of working and increased staff capacity will be required to tackle the challenges faced by Barrow BC, a corporate peer challenge has concluded.
How councils can reshape the future of high streets
Local authorities—many of whom are landlords — now have a unique opportunity to regenerate and transform our high streets for the future, say Andrew Knowles and Leena Gillespie.
New Inclusive Growth Network to drive local economic recovery
Launched today, the Inclusive Growth Network will showcase the successes of local leaders in delivering a better, bolder vision for people and places across the UK, says Charlotte Alldritt.
Devolution must back our success in delivery
The pandemic has proved again that bigger Government is not always better, says John Fuller. 'We have to celebrate the differences across our towns and cities, connecting and firing up engines of growth that have so far missed out from devolution'.
Time 'lost' when centre and local at odds over COVID
Effective global responses to COVID-19 depend on local leadership as the 'critical convenor' and time is lost when national and local authorities are ‘at odds with each other’, according to international policy experts.
Inspiring a new generation
Future First works with state schools and colleges to link young people with alumni and employers, making it the perfect fit this year as the official charity for the The MJ Awards, says Nancy Scott.
Whole-place approach for a COVID-ready city
Globally, it has been shown that local leadership is the critical convenor in effective responses to COVID-19, say David Nabarro and John Atkinson, adding that time is lost where national and local authorities are at odds with each other.
Doing our best for Calderdale’s kids
Robin Tuddenham says a cautious approach to schools opening earlier in the year has made the full return of pupils this month ‘a collaborative effort built upon respect’.
Rising to the back-to-school challenge
Newham is anticipating an increase in demand for services as schools return, says Tim Aldridge, and COVID-19 has thrown a spotlight on existing inequalities.
People matter more than places
Until we stop obsessing about the process of place and begin to reconnect meaningfully with people where they live, we won’t change anything, says Donna Hall.
Community hubs: spaces to grow, gather and recover
With the proper resources, community hubs that include green space can play a key role in rebuilding social connections and reversing the isolation many people have experienced during lockdown, says Fay Holland of Groundwork.
Community power – a step forwards?
A recent virtual round table debate hosted by The MJ discussed the recent trend towards councils empowering local communities. Is it a real or just a cynical way of driving down costs, and will it require a significant cultural shift to work? Heather Jameson reports.
Dream team
The introduction of a Community Wealth Fund would support the most ‘left behind’ wards in Sunderland and across England and build on some of the work the council is already doing to devolve power and resources to communities, says Cllr Paul Stewart.
COVID and Brexit call for radical transformation
Havant BC and East Hampshire DC already have a shared chief executive and senior management team and are now looking to build on their already close partnership, says Gill Kneller. 'We need to be radical', she adds.
A question of equality
Councils should ‘be consciously biased against those who refuse to see us as individuals beyond our skin colour’, argues Claire Fox.
Pincher tries to soothe Tory fears over new housing formula
Housing minister Christopher Pincher has attempted to soothe Tory fears over the Government’s new methodology for calculating local need.
Nottingham agrees governance overhaul
The council will implement a raft of measures in a bid to improve oversight of its companies after its energy firm incurred a £24m loss.
Has the pandemic built embryonic ‘antifragility’ in places?
Is it the case that the pandemic has had a strengthening effect within some places, chiefly through the forging of new relationships and the rewiring of old ones, asks Helen Goulden.
Councils advised to avoid term ‘lockdown’
Experts have advised councils to avoid using the term ‘lockdown’ when discussing the reinstatement of coronavirus restrictions.
Power to the people
Waltham Forest launched its first Citizens’ Assembly on how to stop hate. Rhona Cadenhead explains what she learned from the process – and what she would have done differently.
