SOLACE
Bailey to oversee management review at North Somerset
An ex-chief executive of Islington LBC, Local Partnerships and consultancy iMPOWER has been appointed interim boss and head of paid service at North Somerset Council.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
Chiefs attack 'light touch' approach to standards
England has been left with a ‘light touch approach to local government standards reliant on local codes, implementation and sanction,’ council chief executives have warned.
Raising the standard
Graeme McDonald questions whether more needs to be done to promote standards and good conduct in the local government sector.
The journey towards wellbeing
Five years since the transfer of public health responsibilities to local authorities, Paul Najsarek, SOLACE lead for wellbeing and chief executive of Ealing LBC, reflects on the journey.
Top team support demand rising
Demand for top team support has been increasing and is expected to rise further after next month’s local government elections, The MJ has learned.
Family fortunes
Diary has always considered the Society of Local Authority Chief Executive’s (SOLACE) annual dinner to be something akin to a family wedding.
Finding the sector’s voice
Mark Conrad summarises a lively round table discussion, hosted by the CIPFA in partnership with SOLACE, the LGA and The MJ, in which senior officials from across local government discuss the challenges and benefits of a unified vision for the sector.
Senior figures united in bid for increased sector funding
Local government bodies have discussed jointly lobbying ministers over much-needed investment amid fears the scramble for a fair funding deal could tear apart the sector.
'Big variances' in financial sustainability
There are ‘big variances’ in how equipped councils are to respond to the financial challenges they face, a Local Government Association (LGA) report has warned.
Devolution framework 'almost done'
The Government's new devolution framework is 'almost done,' communities secretary Sajid Javid has insisted.
Pressure grows for HRA cap action
Key sector figures have piled further pressure on the Government over the Housing Revenue Account cap.
EXCLUSIVE: Funding red flags raised
One in 10 council bosses fear their local authority will not have enough funding to fulfil their statutory duties in 2018/19, an exclusive survey has found today.
Leicestershire's chief executive retires after 12 years
Leicestershire CC’s deputy chief executive has announced his retirement after 12 years at the authority.
Stand united and speak with one voice for public services
Voices in local government are not being raised in union, and this needs to change, writes Heather Jameson.
It lies within our power to change how our organisations work
Building the learning organisation is not an officer agenda. Gavin Jones explains why it is worthwhile navigating the tensions to reap benefits not only for local authorities, but also for their residents.
Council tax is a regressive tax - it's time to do something
With a tax based on 1991 property values, the decks are firmly stacked against a sector that is already facing a cliff edge in 2020, writes Jo Miller.
Southwark appoints new strategic director of housing
Southwark LBC’s new strategic director of housing and modernisation has worked in the public sector for more than two decades.
Balance control with trust for good children's services
A good children’s service requires chief executives to strike a balance between trusting their staff and monitoring them, the SOLACE spokesperson for children and families advised today.
Miller’s mischief
‘This is the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen’. So went the infamous words of the president.