Coronavirus
Tackling Climate Change: Mission Impossible or a New Hope?
The scale of the task may be enormous, but the pandemic can be the driver for radical change in business delivery - with climate friendly solutions at the forefront of our thinking, says Karen Whelan.
Leicester mayor criticises business support U-turn
Leicester City Council’s mayor has criticised an apparent government U-turn over the provision of extra financial support to businesses during its extended coronavirus lockdown.
The chancellor’s measures are ‘putting bread on the table’
In a pre-COVID era, a million people passed through Westminster’s streets every day, says council leader Rachael Robathan. She hopes those who return feel they can do so with confidence.
Future proofing the power of social care data
The London ADASS region has quickly evolved a social care quality standards platform into a vital COVID-19 data collection tool. Ben Chance explains.
LGA gets improvement boost in a bid to aid recovery
Ministers have given a boost to sector led improvement by allowing it a key role in helping councils recover from the coronavirus.
Councils at a crossroads: Local government in a post COVID world
Looking beyond the pandemic, Nazeya Hussain and other contributors put forward the case for a new local economy and a new trust-based relationship between national, regional and local government.
Using collective intelligence to boost cycling and walking in cities
In the latest in an essay series on how the wisdom of citizens could help councils manage after COVID, Peter Baeck and Sophie Reynolds consider how to make cities better for cycling and walking.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
Government 'failed to prepare' on PPE, say MPs
The Government has failed to ensure there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, a watchdog warned today.
Delivering despite difficult odds
Karen Bradford’s first 100 days as chief executive of South Kesteven DC started just three weeks before lockdown. Here, she looks back on what’s been achieved.
‘Give places the funding to rebuild’
Nigel Riglar says we need to aim for more than a simple recovery, as our problems are too pressing, and councils must respond collectively to make the case for greater funding.
Let's hold on to what we've learned
John O'Brien says that for 'all of the enormous and well documented challenges, people at the local government front line have achieved remarkable things at pace and scale'. We must hold on to what has been learned, he adds.
Bright future for the West Midlands
Growth in the West Midlands has been badly impacted by COVID-19, says Deborah Cadman – but she believes the region also has ‘one of the greatest potentials to recharge and grow in 2021’.
Building on citizen power
The Local Area Co-ordination Network is dedicated to helping people find solutions to complex challenges through local resources rather than service interventions, as Professor Donna Hall and Nick Sinclair explain.
Who are the losers?
At least in terms of public opinion, local government itself has come out of the pandemic crisis better than the civil service, says Ben Page – with 55% saying local authorities did a good job compared to 47% for the civil service.
Judging the financial consequences of change
During the pandemic, a more flexible approach to assessing the financial benefits of a change will be crucial in ensuring we make sound decisions for longer-term sustainability, writes Adele Taylor.
Building back greener growth needs a joint effort
It seems that even the business lobby is now on board with devolution, says Heather Jameson - and now 'we will need national, local and regional government working with the private sector to tackle the climate change and the economic crises ahead'.
Don't kick more fiscal devo for London into the long grass, says Assembly chair
The post COVID world shows that further fiscal devolution for the capital is vital and ‘mustn’t be kicked in the long grass’, according to chair of the London Assembly Navin Shah.
The London Assembly: 20 years of a unique scrutiny model
Twenty years old, and in the depths of a pandemic, the London Assembly is now facing exceptional circumstances. Chair Navin Shah considers what the future holds.
Lib Dems - 'We need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution'
Fixing social care, tackling climate change, addressing deep-seated inequalities and rebuilding the economy are the ‘enormous challenges’ ahead, says acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
