Emergency planning
Chief execs – a vital part of change
The strategic leadership role of council chief executives in wider health and care systems is often under-appreciated, says Paul Najsarek, but if the Government wants to deliver meaningful change then they will have a crucial role to play.
Combined authorities advised to ‘revisit’ devo deals
Combined authorities may need to ‘revisit’ devolution deals to help regions recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Islington’s core COVID support
The We are Islington helpline acts as a ‘one-stop shop’ for local people in need – and the same listening approach is now being used to get vaccinations to all residents, say Cllrs Una O’Halloran and Sue Lukes.
Successful leadership – top five emerging themes
Jes Ladva at Odgers Interim gives his assessment on the key leadership skills developing in local government for a bright post-pandemic future.
Why diversity matters in an emergency
Jehangir Malik of Emergencies Partnership explores the crucial role diverse communities played in the COVID-19 emergency response and why they must be at the heart of crisis management.
In emergencies, we need to plug the gaps in the social safety net
Discretionary cash support must be included in the toolbox for any major emergency response, says British Red Cross hardship fund programme manager Alex Ballard.
The case for virtual meetings
Jackie Weaver – star of Handforth Parish Council’s viral meeting – argues the case for stepping out of the dark ages and allowing councils to hold their meetings online.
Shielding scheme took too long to identify up to 800,000, says PAC
MPs have hit out at the Government’s ‘quickly drawn up’ COVID-19 shielding programme for taking too long to identify up to 800,000 people who may have missed out on help.
From recovery to social repair – the role of community in post-disaster recovery
In each community there are mechanisms, innovation and forms of support that must be listened to and engaged with directly if urgent and sustained recovery from COVID-19 is to be a success, says Emily Morrison.
Running the relay marathon
Over this past year the ability to recognise which type of leadership is appropriate to which stage of the crisis has been crucial, says Jo Davidson. She highlights the need to think in three time horizons, through to the very long-term.
Leading through a most peculiar crisis
Strategic director of communities and reform at Oldham MBC Rebekah Sutcliffe looks at the impact of the pandemic on local leadership and integrated partnership working.
One year on, councils will be central to recovery
After an extraordinary year, council staff are exhausted, worn down and facing further cuts, says Heather Jameson. But she has no doubt they will continue to rise to the challenge 'whether it is in an office, at home or on a laptop anywhere'.
Flood recovery funding calls rejected
The Government has ruled out releasing national funds for flood recovery in the wake of Storm Christoph.
What can the vaccine roll-out learn from test and trace?
John Atkinson and David Nabarro say the vaccination programme should combine the scale and capacity of national approaches with a need for precision – and that local government is the critical layer in getting this right.
Hand in hand to collaboration
Sir Bob Neill says a local, bottom-up approach has already shown itself to be the way forward for test and trace, ‘and central Government must now place its trust in local leaders to expedite the vaccine rollout’.
Help pledged for councils fighting floods
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has promised to back councils as they tackle flooding in the wake of Storm Christoph.
Planning for when the blight lifts
Westminster City Council’s leader Rachael Robathan says the central Government funding system to help businesses stand on their own two feet must be in place when lockdown eventually lifts.
Pandemic’s route to devolution
We must use what has been learned from COVID-19 to agree a new relationship with Government, based on a shared commitment to devolution, argues Anthony May.
Top insights on adversity
Leadership in local government was tested in 2020 like never before. Here, chief executives reflect on the lessons they will take with them into this year and beyond. Ann McGauran reports.
Our councils are our true heroes - now is the time to shine the spotlight on them
When councils had to step up during COVID-19, they ‘leapt up’ says Sean Anstee. Here he explains why Cratus has decided to sponsor a new Community Hero category in the The MJ Awards.
