Partnerships
Reflections on the West Midlands trailblazer devo deal one year on
Ed Cox sets out his five takeaways from the first year of the West Midlands trailblazer devolution deal.
Books and beyond
Head of libraries at GLL Rebecca Gediking describes how innovation and adaptation are at the heart of a successful, modern library service.
A new era of cross party working and grown-up politics in Broadland
One year into a new political leadership era at Broadland DC the story is one of no egos, no gatekeeping and no partisan point scoring, says Natasha Harpley.
How can we plan for the future of urban regeneration?
With public funding for development down and expectations up, Nick Walkley says the future of regeneration will need new forms of collaboration across sectors.
Local authorities in the spotlight: Hit the simplify button
Service director at Peopletoo Selinda Chouhan sets out nine foundations local authorities need to have in place to support the delivery of improvement, transformation and change programmes.
Turning the tide on the ‘post-politician’ era
Chris Criscione highlights some ways he believes local government can – slowly but surely – improve its reputation and communicate better with its residents.
Hitting the right notes
Kate Kennally deployed a musical metaphor on receiving the Chief Executive of the Year prize at The MJ Achievement Awards 2023. Here she talks to Paul Marinko about winning the title and how she has conducted Cornwall Council to success.
SEND soars ahead in Herts
Hertfordshire CC’s system-wide approach has made SEND everyone’s business, writes Hero Slinn.
Striding towards a green future
South Derbyshire DC has declared climate and ecological emergencies, and the new Council Plan and Local Plan are placing climate and environmental action as highest priority, says Justin Ives.
Hounslow’s LATCO model for leisure focuses firmly on community needs
The LATCO model is a third way to manage leisure services and bring together a commercial head and community heart - and it has been a game-changer in Hounslow, says Rowland Omamor.
West Yorkshire’s economic promise
West Yorkshire will host one of the Government’s investment zones. Andrew Vaux speaks to political and business leaders about what it means for the region.
Partnerships will unlock potential of Oxfordshire’s children
Children and young people are at the heart of Oxfordshire’s partnership approach – a shared vision to give them the very best start in life, says Cllr John Howson.
How Extra Care housing can help local authorities transform lives
Kris Peach shares the lessons learned from working with North Yorkshire Council to expand Extra Care housing for older people across the county over the past 20 years.
English-Welsh council partnership signed in bid for extra funding
Two English and two Welsh county councils have signed a partnership agreement.
Partnership may provide the answer to scarce net zero resources
Daniella Barrow warns that achieving net zero is not going to be easy, and councils risk resources not being available to the meet the challenge.
Councils to bring services in-house
Four neighbouring councils are expected to take greater control of services after an independent review of their jointly-owned firm Publica.
Councils are stepping in to address the public health policy gap
Gains in life expectancy have stalled and inequalities are rising. Adam Briggs of the Health Foundation looks at what local authorities can do to protect their communities from tobacco, alcohol, and junk food.
Local leadership: the trans-Atlantic lessons
Dominic Campbell offers insights ahead of the trans-Atlantic Transformations panel at the Solace Summit, looking at how the UK and the US have addressed the challenges of the last decade.
Taking on leisure’s crisis
Shaun Dawson shares what he and his teams have learned from the challenge of launching the £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre in East London, including the need to embrace private sector involvement.
A springboard to better wellbeing
Social prescribing is about more than health and represents a chance to transform relationships towards real co-production of community wellbeing, says Dr Koen Bartels.