SOLACE
Sector unites in call for Troubled Families funding
The local government sector has urged the Treasury to continue funding the Troubled Families programme following a glowing report on its impact.
Local government employment down 2%
Local government employment has fallen by 2% over the last year, new figures have shown.
End 'lazy language of austerity,' sector urged
Government’s choice to target councils for cuts rather than austerity is to blame for local government’s financial woes, leading finance experts have argued.
EXCLUSIVE: Avoiding the precipice
As councils seek ways to meet the funding gap, Martin Reeves and Rob Whiteman look at the implications for the future of public services and how we need a mature debate on prevention, accountability and joined up services. Heather Jameson reports
Former SOLACE president gets New Zealand role
One of local government’s most high profile chief executives, Jo Miller, is leaving to take up a post in New Zealand.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector fumes over lack of pre-Brexit briefing
Councils have threatened to walk away from Government attempts to engage with them on Brexit amid growing frustrations about the response to their concerns.
EXCLUSIVE: Down to the core
Six out of 10 senior council figures admit their authority is now only delivering a basic core offer of service, The MJ and LGiU think-tank’s annual local government finance survey has revealed.
SOLACE recruits former Localis chief executive
Alex Thomson has been announced as head of policy at the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE).
'Cuts begin to bite' for Scottish authorities
Funding cuts are finally beginning to take their toll as Scottish councils can no longer protect services, according to report published today.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector organisations to meet after high-profile chief departures
Talks have started between two local government organisations after two high-profile chief executives parted company with their council just months after being appointed.
125 years and the issues remain the same
Spending time poring over issues of The MJ (Municipal Journal) from the past 125 years – as you will see from this week's supplement – it is remarkable how much things change and yet they remain the same, says Heather Jameson
Local Government: A view from Australia and beyond
As the UK contemplates a post-Brexit future, Bill Taylor argues for local government not to retreat into splendid isolation, but to look outward and build stronger relations with councils across the globe.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away
Some Star Wars fans don’t need a hyperdrive to help them speed through writing briefings and reports.
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.