Coronavirus
Dorset to grapple with £8m budget gap
Overspends in care services have left Dorset Council facing a budget gap totalling £8.3m by the end of the financial year.
The simple fact is that reading matters
Diana Gerald, CEO of children’s reading charity BookTrust, explains plans to pilot a new, national library experience called BookTrust Storytime in the Autumn, developed in partnership with libraries and local authorities.
Building on a culture of innovation in Kingston
Kingston RLBC learned lessons from its COVID response that will change both the jobs staff do in future and where those roles are based. Tessa Cole talks to Ann McGauran about ‘a real shift and disruption in working practices’.
Giving young people a Kickstart in Bucks
Buckinghamshire Council is offering Kickstart placements across all its service directorates to support young people, as part of a much longer-term project, says Cllr Anita Cranmer.
Easing COVID pressures in south London
The South London Listens partnership has brought together councils, the NHS, Citizens UK and others to address the pandemic-related pressures residents have told them they face. The process has been demanding but inspiring, says Sir Norman Lamb.
Pump up the volumes
Councils are doing everything they can to ramp up vaccination rates.
‘Tell me what you want, what you really, really want’
Frazer Thoubard looks at how recruiting the right candidates is set to become more challenging than ever – so anticipating what the market wants is going to be vital to future success.
Creating the new normal
George Thorley looks at our nations’ challenges as they start to look beyond the pandemic. He argues for the strengthening of the role of local government as a key component of the new normal.
It’s only a win if everyone succeeds
For SIGOMA members – unitary and metropolitan councils across England – funding service fairly is the key, says Sir Stephen Houghton.
'Growing our own' jobs will require investment in local councils
If Government wants to maximise the bang for its buck in levelling up the country, then it must start investing in local councils and allow them to skill up local people from all backgrounds, argues Paul O'Brien.
LGA boosts finance help
Local authority leaders have laid out a raft of changes aimed at helping councils become more financially sustainable and resilient in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charity working for council to cut 500 jobs
The charity delivering cultural and leisure services in Glasgow on behalf of the city council is planning to cut 500 jobs over the next few years as a result of the pandemic.
Keep up COVID funding to end homelessness, says Kerslake
Ending homelessness is possible, but the Government needs to keep up funding or face a post-pandemic surge, an independent commission concluded.
Reaching net zero will be delivered at the local level
While the Government has set a national goal, reaching net zero – and the changes that need to be made – will be delivered at the local level, says Andrew Carter.
Local government given partial self-isolation exemption
Local government has been included on a list of sectors that may be allowed to ignore COVID self-isolation rules, the Government has confirmed.
Wilkins to be replaced
Oldham MBC’s chief executive, Carolyn Wilkins, is to be replaced, with council leader Arooj Shah wanting a new person at the helm.
Building back better in the UK and US
Annabel Smith and Thomas Hauschildt look at what emerged from a Centre for Progressive Policy debate on the role of place in driving forward the build back better agenda in the UK and US.
Councils will continue to draw on reserves, predicts Moody's
Many councils will continue to draw on their reserves to manage the uncertain funding environment and offset budgetary pressures, international ratings agency Moody’s has predicted.
Councils start to bring staff back to office
Councils have begun the process of bringing home-working staff back into offices as COVID-19 restrictions lifted this week.
No pay-out for suspended director
Croydon LBC’s suspended executive director of place has resigned with no pay-out, The MJ understands.
