Solace

Latest Solace

POLICY AND POLITICS

Manchesterism and the future of local government reform

By Graeme McDonald | 09 July 2026

Graeme McDonald explains why meaningful devolution requires fiscal reform, stronger partnerships and empowered local government to deliver lasting change.

GOVERNANCE

Leading in an age of anger

By Robin Tuddenham | 07 July 2026

Robin Tuddenham says poor behaviour is making local government leadership harder, making stronger...

GOVERNANCE

Toxic member behaviour risks local government excellence

By Heather Jameson | 25 June 2026

Without stronger standards, intimidation of senior officers threatens recruitment, innovation and...

EXCLUSIVE: Councillor behaviour takes toll on chiefs, survey finds

By Neil Merrick | 25 June 2026

Abusive and other inappropriate behaviour by councillors is taking its toll on senior staff, a su...

ELECTIONS

Moving on from political limbo: Dealing with no overall control in English councils

By Neil Merrick | 17 June 2026

With more than half the country’s councils now in no overall control, chief executives are having...

PEOPLE

Reeves among King's birthday honours

By Dan Peters | 15 June 2026

Oxfordshire CC’s chief executive, Martin Reeves, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s birthday h...

LEADERSHIP

Solace steps up lobbying over district exclusion from leadership event

By Dan Peters | 08 June 2026

The organisation representing senior officers has stepped up its lobbying after a Cabinet Office ...

SOLACE

Local politicians should not mistake professional challenge for obstruction

By Graeme McDonald | 28 May 2026

Graeme McDonald says council officers should give honest, sometimes uncomfortable, professional a...

GOVERNANCE

Supporting local leaders after a tumultuous election

By Sean Harriss | 27 May 2026

Sean Harriss looks at how senior council officers can best support an influx of thousands of newl...

FINANCE

CIPFA to consult on financial management codes

By Martin Ford | 29 April 2026

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is to consult on the rules gove...

POLICY AND POLITICS

Solace urges Better Care Fund rethink

By Dan Peters | 22 April 2026

Council chief executives have called for an urgent rethink of how funds like the Better Care Fund...