Improvement
Peer review proposal for pensions
The Local Government Association peer review programme could be expanded to include council pension schemes, a new report has suggested.
Redefining what good looks like
Impower’s annual top 10 list is a celebration of strong council performance and, as Jon Ainger explains, many local authorities have stepped up to the challenge.
EXCLUSIVE: England's top 10 councils revealed
Calderdale MBC and Oxfordshire CC have clambered their way into consultancy Impower’s list of England’s most productive councils this year, The MJ can reveal.
Kirklees urged to invest in corporate centre
Kirklees MBC should invest in its corporate centre and streamline decision-making to support both members and senior officers, a corporate peer challenge report has urged.
Northants reorg stalled amid election
Plans to reorganise cash-strapped Northamptonshire CC have stalled amid the general election.
The secret is out – take the challenge
The more the message is spread within councils, the stronger the Local Government Challenge has become 10 years on, say Cllr Paul Carter and Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Improvement board formed for troubled council
The Welsh Government has formed an improvement board to oversee changes at Merthyr Tydfil CBC after a review into the troubled council.
How to get the edge
In The EDGEWORK Manifesto, Impower makes the case for a new approach to public sector leadership and consultancy, and explores the difference between ‘complicated’ and ‘complex’ issues. Ann McGauran reports
It’s the talent from within that will fix the sector
The main theme of the Solace Summit in Birmingham was resilience and the radical reshaping of public services, says Heather Jameson. But as that city's leader says of his own council, there may be improvements, but we are not out of the woods.
Birmingham improving but there are still risks, says leader
Birmingham City Council has made some improvements but there are still risks, the council’s leader Ian Ward has told The MJ.
New leadership role to boost place-based working
Local government’s sole representative on the new National Leadership Centre’s (NLC) board wants to use her role to boost place-based ways of working.
Election and Brexit could hit peer review plans
A General Election before March would put the Local Government Association (LGA) at risk of failing to deliver the number of peer challenges demanded by Whitehall.
Northants commissioner quits
The commissioner appointed to oversee children’s services at Northamptonshire CC has resigned.
Suspended deputy returns to work
Thanet DC’s deputy chief executive Tim Willis is understood to have returned to work after six weeks suspended.
Somerset auditors recognise improved finances
Somerset CC’s improved finances have been recognised by auditors, according to a report to be discussed next week.
EXCLUSIVE: Department 'ready' to help councils through Brexit
Robert Jenrick has told The MJ his department ‘stands ready’ to guide councils through Brexit amid a review of the sector’s readiness for no-deal.
Council to change finance approach after review
Warrington BC has ‘consistently overspent’ against parts of its budget and needs to change its approach to deliver services ‘from a more sustainable financial footing’.
Capita urged to make pension improvements
Barnet Labour councillors have urged outsourcing firm Capita to make improvements to the authority’s pension scheme after thousands of mistakes were found.
New directors add to improvement pace
Croydon LBC’s new executive director and director of early help and children’s social care have quickly made improvements to the council’s inadequate children’s services, Ofsted has said.
Second management overhaul for Grenfell council in two years
Further changes will be made to Kensington & Chelsea LBC’s management structure to ‘make it fit for 2020 and beyond’.