LGA
Homes for Ukraine two years on: Safe and welcomed
Two years on from the instigation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme councils remain keen to work with government to meet the long-term needs of Ukrainians, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Northumberland has ‘further to go’
Northumberland CC has ‘further to go’ despite progress on its improvement journey, a report has found.
New funding: A helping hand for care leavers
The Care Leavers’ Programme provides a backbone of support for young adults and the benefits will trickle back into our neighbourhoods, says Cllr Richard Kemp CBE.
Woking and Thurrock failures 'embarrassing'
The local government watchdog’s chief executive has said the collapse of councils such as Woking and Thurrock should not have been allowed to happen.
Local investment can reap national rewards
Sir Bob Neill feels the Budget was an opportunity to provide financial aid for councils, which in turn will help the Government deliver national policies – but has the chancellor taken the chance?
Selling the family silver is a mistake
The Government is Incentivising councils to sell off publicly-owned assets, 'but these flexibilities should not become business as usual and they are not a sufficient substitute for a reform of our broken funding system', warns Rob Whiteman.
Saving assets through community ownership
Polling for Power to Change shows if councils are forced to sell their assets the public strongly favour them being sold to community organisations and locally-run businesses, says Josh Westerling.
What the Budget will mean for councils
David Phillips says a focus on tax cuts in the upcoming Budget does not mean councils will go completely unmentioned – but what happens in the next Spending Review will be more important.
Budget: Expect plenty of smoke and mirrors politics
The sector should expect more tax cutting smoke and mirror solutions at this year’s Budget, says Zoë Billingham. She warns: ‘There’ll be no hiding from the fact that taxes will be rising very clearly locally.’
Right to Buy scheme is in need of urgent reform
The Government should use the Spring Budget to set out key reforms to the outdated Right to Buy scheme to ensure it works for everyone, argues Cllr Darren Rodwell.
Taking a risk-based approach to the switch to digital
Robert Turnbull of PA Consulting explains why a risk-based approach is key in the UK’s transition to a digital telephone system.
A Dynamic win on waste
The Local Government Association’s LG Challenge 2024 kicked off with a focus on recycling, reuse, and waste in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Jenson Kemp reports.
A Faer Point
Following last week’s by-election results, Martin Tucker ponders the electoral changing of the guard that underpins our democratic local government system.
Working with Government can deliver real dividends
Collaboration with Government can achieve real results for communities and councils should not be afraid of embracing productivity, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
A call for prioritising local economic growth
In the case of councils in financial distress income-generation through a commitment to economic development must be explored, says Nigel Wilcock.
Taking public health right to the top
Many directors of public health have the leadership approach, experience and technical ability to make excellent chief executives and they need the opportunities to reach the top role, says Julia Weldon.
REVEALED: Productivity plan demands toothless
Councils have been told Whitehall will be unable to force them to submit productivity plans.
Consultation on audit reset proposals launched
Proposals to reset the local audit system and clear the backlog of accounts have been officially unveiled.
Welcome to a bright future
The benefits of developing the sector’s own talent is self-evident, says Cllr Abi Brown. By taking on a National Graduate Development Programme candidate, councils get extra capacity and capability to better reflect the communities they serve.
United we stand
Graeme McDonald says the workforce challenges facing the sector are something that cannot be solved by councils alone, and he gives some tips on how local government can stem the tide.