Coronavirus
Local councils spent £21.2bn on adult social care in 20-21
Local councils spent £21.2bn on adult social care in 20-21, according to statistics published today by NHS Digital.
Town centres reimagined
There is no better time to start the complex and ever-evolving challenge of reinventing town centres, but the most successful regeneration stories share one thing, says Richard Sterling.
Building quality of life
Sadie Morgan explains the role of the built environment on our health and wellbeing, and how planners and councils can improve quality of life through the design and management of new homes and buildings.
System-wide approach to no more homelessness in Norfolk
The Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership uses a more human approach to tackling homelessness, centred on speaking to people who have been or are currently sleeping rough, says Stephen Evans.
Counting the benefits of good partnership
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was formally signed off this summer. It will build on South Holland DC’s own experience of partnership working, and build something even bigger, says Rob Barlow.
The power of quiet diplomacy
Outgoing chair of the District Councils’ Network, Cllr John Fuller, talks to Martin Ford about his legacy. He says districts showed their mettle during COVID and are best placed to deliver the levelling up agenda.
Levelling up the UK’s most unequal city
Tackling inequality and promoting food justice are key priorities for Cambridge as the council aspires for the city to be a global exemplar of a fairer, greener and more inclusive way of life, explains Robert Pollock.
Mastering yourself is true power
A debate at the recent Solace Summit reminded Kathy O'Leary that to effectively lead others, leaders first need to successfully lead themselves.
Blackburn with Darwen public health director to retire
Professor Dominic Harrison was a leading figure in pressing for local test and trace systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunak warned of greater future costs without public service investment
Chancellor Rishi Sunak must swiftly invest in public services hit hardest by the pandemic or face much greater costs down the line, a report has warned.
Pressure rises on Gove to build social housing
Pressure was this week mounting on new housing secretary Michael Gove to ramp up the building of social homes amid predictions of growing homelessness.
Think-tank in call for wellbeing budgets
The Government should introduce ‘wellbeing budgets’ that look beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to reduce regional health inequalities, a think-tank has urged.
LGA: External audit firms need to address their shortcomings
Town hall leaders have said external audit firms ‘need to address their shortcomings’ to improve the timeliness of audits.
A compelling national vision for local government
Becoming part of a ‘medicalised treatment-based model’ is the last thing social care needs, says Professor Donna Hall, as she puts forward the beginnings of a new vision for local government.
Councils have 'irreplaceable' role in levelling up
Councils are ready to work with central government to deliver change in communities, president of chief executives' organisation Solace, Joanne Roney, has said.
Penna view
Julie Towers and Toni Hall offer a sneak preview of the annual Chief Executive Survey set to be published in full by Penna, The MJ and the Local Government Association on 1 December.
Bexley withdraws capitalisation request
The council said ‘sound financial planning’ meant it would not need the extra funds to balance its books.
Leading the warriors out of COVID
Jim McManus talks to Martin Ford about the impact of the COVID crisis on directors of public health and says we need to take the opportunity to learn the lessons of the pandemic so that we are ready in the future.
Letting the poppies bloom
Heather Jameson says the Conservative conference has put levelling up and skills front and centre, but voters may be looking for a short-term fix.
Let councils be responsible for their own decisions
We should shine a light on council payouts – sort out the audit regime which is currently failing so desperately – and let councils take responsibility for their own actions, says Heather Jameson.
