SOLACE
Exploring a risk business
What started out as a conversation with his chief executive, resulted in a dissertation on the impact of commercialisation on local authorities. Robert Weaver delves into the aspects of non-financial risk and its implications
Sector defends Wigan chief after abuse
Local government figures have rallied around a chief executive after she was subjected to abuse on social media.
SOLACE: Peer reviews should be made mandatory and transparent
Council chief executives have suggested that the Local Government Association’s (LGA) peer reviews should be made ‘mandatory and transparent as they were originally intended to be’.
Don’t leave cyber security to chance
When it comes to cyber security, it is time we prepared for the worst before it’s too late, writes William Benson.
Communications – an engaging issue
Effective communication and engagement is a big challenge in an era of instant, accessible news. Jo Miller explains how proactivity and actually listening to people is a massive step in achieving this feat.
Morse to maintain audit standards
National Audit Office chief Sir Amyas Morse has insisted he will not lower the standards expected from local auditors despite market concentration and plummeting fees.
Double standards?
When it comes to improving public services, what’s good for local government should be good for central government. Piali Das Gupta looks at why the latter can benefit from adopting the principles of the former
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.