Innovation
Embedding service resilience in a post-pandemic world
What are the issues facing councils as they return to some form of post-pandemic normality and start to rebuild front line services? Michael Burton reports on a round table debate on the challenges to creating and maintaining service resilience.
Levelling up: the digital challenge
The MJ and BT recently held a round table debate with nine leading council chief executives from the Midlands and the North to debate the challenges and opportunities from the digital revolution. Michael Burton reports.
Funding decision signals 'waning influence' of LEPs
The Government’s decision to slash funding for growth hubs and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) confirms combined authorities will increasingly lead economic development, a former LEP chair has suggested.
There's a story alright, but perhaps not the one you were expecting
Where scale and inter organisational efficiency were once the answer, now innovation and place-based transformation are the keystones of where East Hampshire DC and Havant BC go next, says Gill Kneller.
The road to stability
Tris Dyson says it’s time for Government to lead on innovation, to bolster financial resilience and improve access to jobs – and councils are best-placed to connect services.
Taking action on air pollution
Can air quality be improved through the power of good collective decision-making, facilitated by digital technology? Ann McGauran reports on a recent experiment.
Instagram leads to investment in our cities
Urban leaders need to better understand their online brand, as cities with fewer mentions across social media and online news tend to attract less investment, says Cllr John Merry.
A unique moment in time
At The MJ’s recent Future Forum, BT outlined the immense opportunities digital and online services are currently offering councils – and the chance for true innovation must be taken.
Can local government continue at this pace?
Managing Director and Client Partner for Capita Local Public Services Paul Abraham says that now is a great opportunity to rethink how we deliver services to citizens.
LGA insists in-person peer reviews will continue for now
Local Government Association (LGA) peer reviews will continue to be held in person despite a call for them to switch back to virtual delivery.
Village hall to be used to house homeless
A village hall will be converted into homes for the homeless in a scheme that is thought to be a first in the UK.
Is funding meeting councils’ needs on decarbonationisation?
Analysis by Nesta raises some questions about the effectiveness of competitive grant funding schemes to support local authorities’ role in home decarbonisation, says Madeleine Gabriel.
Eight post-pandemic digital trends for 2021 and beyond
Tim Pitts outlines eight post-pandemic digital trends. He says that one thing is clear; ‘The COVID-19 legacy will be far reaching across local government’.
How digital disruption can deliver better futures
Disrupting youth crime and exploitation through technology provides a chance to find and support the vulnerable and achieve radical change, say Dr Carol Homden, Amanda Kelly and Tim Aldridge.
Innovating for a fairer start
Early years and education is one of Nesta’s three focus areas for the next decade. Tom Symons outlines how they are partnering with three councils for trial discovery projects to improve school readiness levels.
Creating an imagining culture
Building ‘a more open, transparent, free-thinking culture where imagination thrives within our teams’ is crucial, and is especially important during the pandemic, argues Professor Donna Hall CBE.
Greater Manchester’s healthy case for digital innovation
COVID-19 is accelerating digital health and social care innovation in Greater Manchester, including work to understand the support needed by Troubled Families, and to help care homes track cases of the virus, says Lou Cordwell.
Throwing out ‘business as usual’
Innovation Unit’s Seb Chapleau outlines how Greater Manchester plans to keep new and nimble ways of working post-COVID.
Ambitions for Glasgow City Region undimmed by COVID
COVID may have brought delays to Glasgow’s £1bn City Deal infrastructure programme, but the region remains committed to all 21 projects, says Kevin Rush.
‘This was liberation’
Daisy Carter of the Innovation Unit outlines how COVID disruption inspired new ways of working in Greater Manchester.
