SOLACE
Reeves: Fair funding review could push some closer to cliff edge
The fair funding review could push some councils ‘closer to the cliff edge,’ the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) has warned.
Looking at the wider picture
Martin Swales, the new president of SOLACE, talks to Heather Jameson about his plans to use his two-year term to draw on the expertise across the membership and build a stronger influence across Whitehall
Fair funding: no simple solutions
At best, the fair funding review will bring short-term improvements for some councils while pushing others to the brink – and is ultimately built on shaky foundations, argues Dr Martin Reeves
Social care Green Paper delayed again amid Westminster turmoil
Turmoil in Westminster has piled further uncertainty onto local government, with the social care Green Paper the latest casualty.
More hard graft ahead next year
Brexit, improved system leadership and fixing the divisions between Whitehall and local government are just a few of the issues to tackle in order to put local services back to the top of the agenda, as outgoing SOLACE president Jo Miller reflects
Does the People's Vote clamour herald a move to more referendums?
Electoral events are, of course, at the cornerstone of our democracy. But Louise Round asks if it is possible to have too much of a good thing.
Scrutiny chief in failure warning
Failure in local government is likely to become more prevalent in the years ahead due to looming pressures, the chief executive of the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) has warned.
Future Forum North: 'Get a grip on mysterious DCS role'
Local authority bosses should get a grip on the ‘mysterious’ director of children’s services [DCS] role, Wakefield City Council’s chief executive has urged.
Future Forum North: SOLACE president urges sector to be less humble
The sector has been urged to make the case for better funding itself instead of relying on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Scrutiny can reduce Government intervention risk - Kerslake
Rishi Sunak has called for scrutiny to receive a ‘strong commitment from the top’ of councils amid warnings about the risk of further Whitehall intervention.
Denial won’t make cash-poor councils’ problems vanish
It must be nice to be Melanie Dawes, to live a life of optimism and confidence. Few senior council figures will be as optimistic as she is, says Heather Jameson.
Denver tax 'demonstrates fiscal devolution need'
The introduction of a 0.25% sales tax in Denver is ‘further proof of the need for devolved political power in the UK,’ a local government finance expert has suggested.
Swales to be next SOLACE president
The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) is expected to name Martin Swales as its next president.
Healing health is a local government issue
Prevention is better than cure, as health and social care secretary Matt Hancock has trumpeted all over the news this week, but his efforts were rewarded by 'a series of accusations over everything', writes Heather Jameson
Look at the Budget's fine print
It's the fine print in a Budget that needs the most careful attention, and it's time to ramp up further the campaign for local services, says Martin Reeves of SOLACE
Breaking the barriers
As Jo Miller’s presidency of SOLACE with its focus on equalities and women’s rights ends, Jessica Crowe reports from a recent workshop on the best way to continue making progress
Diversity matters
Ann McGauran reveals the findings of a report that shows England’s local authorities still have some distance to go before their leadership teams truly reflect their local populations.
Dawes invites tourism tax call
Marsham Street has given its clearest indication yet that it could be open to considering council calls for a tourism tax.
SOLACE Summit: Commercialisation crackdown warning
A senior civil servant has warned councils the Government could crack down if commercialisation trends continue.
SOLACE Summit: CIPFA to seek compromise over resilience index
The controversial proposed financial resilience index is likely to be a ‘compromise’ between critics who believe it is unhelpful and supporters who welcome its timing, according to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) chief executive Rob Whiteman.