Management
Whole-place approach for a COVID-ready city
Globally, it has been shown that local leadership is the critical convenor in effective responses to COVID-19, say David Nabarro and John Atkinson, adding that time is lost where national and local authorities are at odds with each other.
A people-based approach to diversity and inclusion
Westminster City Council’s BAME staff network was formed to ensure representation for those most affected by feelings of racial inequality. Bernard Bruce says it has already led to significant culture change.
Croydon appoints Katherine Kerswell as interim chief
Crisis-hit Croydon LBC has appointed Katherine Kerswell as its interim chief executive, following the departure of Jo Negrini.
Giving certainty in an uncertain world
Chief operating officer at Cornwall Council Tracie Langley looks at how to do financial planning in an era of huge uncertainty.
Council chief claims auditor 'not balanced or fair'
The boss of a council where an auditor raised concerns about culture and governance failures that ‘stem from the very top’ has rejected the claims.
Councils in talks over single workforce
Havant BC and East Hampshire DC are in talks over creating a single flexible workforce.
Now is not the time to downgrade council chiefs
York's top team reorganisation could end up being a case of putting cost before value, says Heather Jameson. 'Now is not the time to downgrade the chief executive, it is time to celebrate what an extraordinary job they do', she adds.
£95k exit payment cap to come into force before 2021
The Government plans to bring its proposed £95,000 cap on public servants’ exit payments into force before the end of this calendar year, The MJ understands.
Council changes after 'culture of fear' found
Southampton City Council has made ‘significant changes’ to its children’s services senior leadership team after a ‘culture of fear’ was allowed to grow.
Moving from the sprint to the heptathlon
Jon Ainger offers five recommendations for depleted management teams looking to make better recovery decisions in the short term.
What makes senior leadership teams great?
Although the winner won't be known until 2 October, Julie Towers of Penna presents a round-up of the uniting leadership factors of the five councils shortlisted in the Senior Leadership Team category at The MJ Awards.
To the moon and back
The model for getting a man on the moon is a good one for the post COVID world of local government, even if councils don’t have the same open-ended budget, says Blair McPherson.
The reality of working from home
What does working from home herald for local authority staff? John Mortimer takes a look - and offers pointers on how to maintain a balance between work and home life.
Smaller top team will 'reduce capacity'
Bexley LBC has admitted that proposals for a smaller top team will reduce its capacity over the short and medium-term.
Leaders and laggers in a post-COVID world
In a post-modern world of local government we may well be looking at the survival of the fittest and councils could be heading for a ‘slow motion car crash into decline’, warns John Knight.
Delivering despite difficult odds
Karen Bradford’s first 100 days as chief executive of South Kesteven DC started just three weeks before lockdown. Here, she looks back on what’s been achieved.
Mitie and Interserve Support Services to merge
Outsourcer Mitie has proposed to merge with facilities management firm Interserve Support Services by the end of the year in a £271m deal.
The best managers are misfits and weirdos
Organisations with a higher tolerance of misfits and weirdos will benefit from their creativity, innovation, energy and enthusiasm, says Blair Mcpherson - and we also need dreamers, visionaries and revolutionaries.
'Missed opportunities' to safeguard neglected children
Four youngsters were left to live in ‘filthy and squalid’ conditions despite ‘numerous referrals’ to children’s services, a serious case review has found.
Bristol to bring back chief executive
Bristol City Council will bring back the role of chief executive – three years after scrapping the position.
