Economic growth
Cancelling HS2 would halt UK transformation
A report by northern political and business leaders into the HS2 high-speed rail project has said cancelling it would risk scuppering transformation the UK ‘badly needs’.
We're now a better organisation
Lawrence Conway says Lakeland DC's transformation programme Customer Connect has resulted in a better organisation, 'with a future and vision we all share and all work towards'.
Queen's speech: Devolution White Paper to set out 'structural reform'
An English devolution White Paper is planned by the Government, it has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech.
Levelling the skills divide
If local and national Government want to counter northern citizens feeling ‘left-behind’, the young need the prospect of real jobs writes Claire Fox.
What might have been without the recession and Brexit
Michael Burton says the worry as the next Spending Review gets under way is that a bad or no-deal Brexit leads to another lost decade of growth and more cuts, which this time a pruned public sector is unable to withstand.
Bexley’s midnight libraries
Cllr Peter Craske explains how initiatives such as Bexley LBC’s successful Libraries at Night programme help make the most of buildings at the heart of the town centre and boost the night time economy.
Is the new team up for more devolution?
A deep understanding of devolution runs through the core of the current Government, says Heather Jameson - 'not least that it is the only answer to the Brexit voters hitting back at remote democracy'.
Staying centred on a ‘One North’ approach
Melvyn Ingleson says the work to date of the Northern Powerhouse 11 Local Enterprise Partnership regions shows there is ‘real enthusiasm’ to deliver on a vision for the North of England.
Tackle high street decline the right way
Research by Centre for Cities highlights the problem with improving high streets' cultural amenities without dealing with the economic fundamentals, according to Andrew Carter.
Council invests in Glastonbury
South Somerset DC is expected to achieve a net initial yield of 7.19% after buying the Glastonbury branch of home improvement chain B&Q for £4.4m.
Three thoughts on Brexit
Claire Kober offers three thoughts on Brexit - and says that as fantasy politics grips Westminster and Whitehall, it’s time for local government to do what it does best: delivering ambitious solutions to everyday challenges.
Re-engaging business and boroughs
The Charter for Business sets out London boroughs’ commitment to growing the city’s economy for the benefit of all who live there. Cllr Clare Coghill looks at how to enable the dialogue between business and boroughs required to make this happen.
Deliver HS2 'in full'
Cllr Judith Blake says HS2 must be delivered in full 'and that it is key to rebalancing our nation, relieving the pressure on our Victorian-era rail network and creating economic growth in our cities'.
Not just about the money
Manchester City Council’s senior management team talks to Heather Jameson about its focus on working across silos to improve the life chances of all residents.
It's time to go beyond GDP
Methods such as GDP and GVA have been traditional ways of measuring what matters in our economy - but Andy Norman argues inclusive growth is the future.
Learning lessons from LEPs
Aileen Murphie examines the role, progress and development of local enterprise partnerships from the eyes of the National Audit Office.
Report: Council of the North needed to drive growth
A Council of the North should be created to develop and implement an industrial strategy for the region, a new report has suggested.
Narrowing the outcomes gap in Kensington & Chelsea
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC has published a plan to create a successful economy and tackle the barriers preventing residents from fulfilling their potential, says Cllr Catherine Faulks
Are we shooting for the moon?
Cumbria CC’s deputy leader Cllr Peter Thornton makes the case for fair funding and fairer investment – to help unlock the inherent strength and potential of the UK’s rural areas.
Transforming towns
Councils looking for an example of how to transform their towns into vibrant areas for the 21st century can draw a great deal of inspiration from Roeselare, a town of 60,000 people in Belgium.