SOLACE
Public health commissioning move 'illogical'
A suggestion from the body representing NHS trusts that the commissioning of key public health services should be removed from local government is ‘illogical,’ councils have said.
LGA code of conduct 'unlikely to gain traction'
The Local Government Association’s model code of conduct is ‘unlikely to gain any traction across the sector’ because of the lack of sanctions breaches attract, council chief executives have warned Whitehall.
Local public health proves its worth in a crisis
COVID has emphasised the importance of public health teams being part of local government, says Professor Maggie Rae. But councils need the resources to address the fallout from this pandemic and prepare for the next one.
Procurement in the time of pandemic
One of the largest studies into how the annual £100bn local government procurement spend is being dispensed during the pandemic has just been launched. Its project director Dr Richard Simmons outlines the study’s aims.
Work and wellbeing in a COVID world
Gemma Stevenson-Coupe emphasises the importance of ensuring the mental health and wellbeing of yourself and your colleagues as the pandemic forcibly changes the environment we live and work in.
Finding more funding
A flurry of Government grants have been received by local authorities in the wake of the pandemic. While this has helped some councils stabilise finances, what longer-term approach is needed to balance budgets? Martin Ford reports.
Fresh calls for standards code sanctions
Fresh calls for meaningful sanctions on badly behaving councillors were made this week after the Local Government Association (LGA) unanimously approved a model code of conduct.
Calling a halt to sinking standards
It is two years since the Committee for Standards in Public Life (CSPL) published its report, Local Government Ethical Standards. But the Government ‘has yet to respond or seemingly start work on implementing recommendations’, says Graeme McDonald.
May elections to go ahead as chiefs call for indemnity
Local elections will go ahead on 6 May despite the ongoing pandemic, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled.
Pushing for real reform
The pandemic was a game changer for the central/local government relationship, says Joanne Roney, who has started her two-year stint as president of Solace.
EXCLUSIVE: Election officers bid for legal protection
Returning officers have called for protection against lawsuits for running this year’s elections if the Government sticks to holding them in May during a pandemic.
Levelling up our health and wealth
The current challenges can be a catalyst for a major rethink about how national and local government spends and invests to create better communities, says Solace spokesperson for economic prosperity Robin Tuddenham.
Government moots plans to postpone polls again
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick pushing the Prime Minister for a quick decision on postponing elections, The MJ understands.
Let's begin to forge a new model of the state
Joanne Roney becomes the new president of Solace from 1 January. Graeme McDonald says that at the centre of the agenda 'will be the need to tackle inequality – between people or places, in funding, or in the distribution of power'.
The learning never stops
Drawing on feedback from Solace’s recent development programmes and events, Jessica Mullinger assesses the advantages and disadvantages to both live and virtual settings as we look at different ways of learning due to the pandemic.
Sector braced for more Whitehall interventions
Local government is braced for further Whitehall interventions in the wake of ministers launching reviews of two councils within days of each other.
Welsh may escape exit pay cap
Welsh workers could be spared from the Government’s strict public sector exit pay cap.
EXCLUSIVE: Cabinet Office rules out elections delay
The Cabinet Office has ruled out any further delays to local elections despite the complexity of going to the polls amid a pandemic.
Local government will continue to move mountains
Those working in the sector will be pushing themselves to breaking point to get through a difficult winter, says Graeme McDonald. 'During this time, we must also look after ourselves and our colleagues', he adds.
Unions pile on pressure over exit pay cap
More organisations are preparing legal action to challenge the Government's cap on public sector exit pay.
