Coronavirus
Cutting 91,000 civil servants: ‘Efficiency’ at what cost?
Against a backdrop of unprecedented strain, it is difficult to see how a radical reduction in civil service numbers will increase efficiency or improve the quality of public services, says Lucy Woods.
We need a new philanthropy
There is a lot more scope for investing in prevention and a partnership across a place is vital if we are to prevent the needs of tomorrow, according to Tony Kirkham.
Josephs apologises again for lockdown prosecco party
Sheffield City Council chief executive Kate Josephs has reiterated her apology after details of her lockdown-busting leaving party were detailed in a Whitehall report.
A deserving shortlist for MJ SLT of the Year Award
There was a greater focus on inequalities, diversity and inclusion, transparency, performance management and organisation development in the entries for the senior leadership team (SLT) of the year category of The MJ Awards, says Julie Towers.
Making the green decision pay off
In the week of the ADEPT Spring Conference, new president Mark Kemp says - while some are saying we can’t afford net zero - we need to think more boldly and take more risks.
Queen’s Speech: ‘levelling up’ let down
Sir Stephen Houghton says we must not see blame being levelled on those areas who are not able to meet the levelling up mission targets – 'when it is in fact that local areas are not being given a penny by the Government to be able to reach them'.
Getting on with integrated care
Greater Manchester believes the formal governance of the new integrated care system and the voice of place within it will be fundamental to its future success in narrowing health inequalities, says Tom Stannard.
Due diligence matters
Due diligence should not be viewed as a ‘tick box’ exercise, but as a crucial decision-making tool, says Brian Ng. He outlines six considerations he believes are fundamental for councils to consider before making investment or funding decisions.
Tackling skills shortages
It’s a candidate’s market, says Gordon McFarlane who argues that local government must also focus on succession planning, automating routine processes, and considering workers’ future requirements.
Let’s work together on the most important agenda of our time
Paul O'Brien says policy on permitted development rights 'continues to work against a co-ordinated approach at local level on reshaping place and making developers contribute to this process'.
Councils urged to draw on crisis management skills
Scotland’s councils should draw on their COVID-19 experiences when handling the new challenges posed by service backlogs and rising inflation, the country’s spending watchdog has suggested.
Free ebooks for 2020
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we want to do all we can to support you, so we will provide The MJ as an enhanced ebook here every Thursday, completely free, for the duration of the crisis.
Free ebooks for 2021
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we want to do all we can to support you, so we will provide The MJ as an enhanced ebook here every Thursday, completely free, for the duration of the crisis.
Four out of five continue hybrid working
More than 80% of employees who worked from home during the pandemic intend to carry on with hybrid working, according to a study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Post-pandemic planning for the core cities
Chief executives and directors from the UK’s biggest cities debated their challenges and opportunities in a round table discussion organised by Core Cities UK and The MJ, supported by BT. Paul Marinko reports.
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
Future Forum: No end in sight for funding pots
Two local government finance experts have predicted Whitehall will continue doling out cash through competitive pots.
Future Forum: Government must do more to help those on lowest incomes
The Government has failed to do enough for those on the lowest incomes, a top economist has told The MJ’s Future Forum event.
Count on culture not cash
With inflation outstripping planned wage increases, it will be the culture, working for an innovative authority, in a community – ultimately the job satisfaction – that will attract and keep good people in local government, says Heather Jameson.
Actions speak louder than words
Ross Mudie and Annabel Smith argue that plunging yet more people into hardship will lead to a rise in deprivation within the places most in need of levelling up – and make achieving several of the Government’s levelling up missions unfeasible.
