Improvement
EXCLUSIVE: LGA improvement cash could be slashed
Smith Square’s top-slice funding could be slashed under plans being considered by Whitehall over fears the sector-led improvement regime is not delivering good value.
Council has settled more than 180 abuse claims
Nottinghamshire CC has settled more than 180 civil claims linked to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), with 20 more settlements still under discussion.
Children's services under pressure at embattled council
Powys CC’s children’s services remain ‘under considerable pressure’ as the council attempts to improve from a damning inspection verdict.
EXCLUSIVE: Peer review watered down under pressure
Liverpool City Council’s corporate peer review was significantly watered down before publication after pressure from the authority, The MJ has learned.
Surrey’s A team starts its plan B
As counties across the country grapple with tougher, tighter budgets, Surrey CC’s has had its fair share of financial woes. Heather Jameson talks to Joanna Killian and her crack new top team about the rescue plan
Hull City Council leadership praised in peer challenge report
Hull City Council has been told it is a ‘hugely ambitious’ organisation with top-quality leadership and a strong sense of place.
Peers call on Liverpool to improve politics
Councillors in Liverpool City Council need to improve the way its politics are played out in the council chamber, its latest peer review has found.
Scrutiny overhaul at Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire CC is overhauling its scrutiny function following a scathing report by the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS).
Capacity stretched at 'can do' council
Capacity at a ‘can do’ council is stretched and staff are under real pressure, a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review has found.
Whitehall demands in-year cuts to improvement programme
The sector’s ability to respond to crises such as a care provider failure could be hit after Whitehall demanded cuts to a key improvement programme, senior councillors have been warned.
Powys faces 'long improvement journey'
Powys CC has ‘much more to do’ to improve its children’s services, senior councillors have been told.
Brum vows to improve SEND after critical report
Birmingham City Council has vowed to take urgent action to make ‘significant improvements’ after a special educational needs and disabilities inspection (SEND).
LEPs told to improve ahead of EU funding changes
Fresh concerns have emerged about local enterprise partnerships (LEP) as the Government considers whether to use them to funnel UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) cash.
Better to be judged by a jury of one’s peers
Michael Burton comments on local government's appetite for peer reviews.
SOLACE: Peer reviews should be made mandatory and transparent
Council chief executives have suggested that the Local Government Association’s (LGA) peer reviews should be made ‘mandatory and transparent as they were originally intended to be’.
Council has taken 'too long' to improve
Reading Council has improved services for young people leaving care since an inadequate Ofsted inspection two years ago.
Brokenshire admits knowledge gap
James Brokenshire has admitted the Government does not know the councils that have not undergone a corporate peer challenge.
Councils resist peer challenge offer
The Local Government Association (LGA) is facing resistance as it struggles to persuade reluctant councils to undergo a corporate peer challenge.
Birmingham faces grievance complaint amid senior staff restructure
Birmingham City Council has launched a senior management restructure as part of the new chief executive’s efforts to improve the authority.
Birmingham back on the brink
Birmingham City Council’s financial crisis is deepening, a scathing report from auditors Grant Thornton has revealed.