Transformation
Don’t leave finance professionals short-changed
Andrew Tromans and Mizan Rouf outline the past and present recruitment challenges in public finance.
Watchdog warning over Moray's funding gap
Moray Council must act quickly to shore up its finances, Audit Scotland has warned.
Economic growth with local talent at the fore
With 22,000 civil service jobs moving out of London there are real opportunities for local authorities to work with the Government Property Agency to kickstart economic growth. Alan Whitelaw explains.
Local authorities in the spotlight: Hit the simplify button
Service director at Peopletoo Selinda Chouhan sets out nine foundations local authorities need to have in place to support the delivery of improvement, transformation and change programmes.
Working with Government can deliver real dividends
Collaboration with Government can achieve real results for communities and councils should not be afraid of embracing productivity, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Creating a Centre for Population Health
Professor Durka Dougall explains how the Centre for Population Health can support health and care leaders in prioritising a more equal future for everyone.
Time for a new economic playbook for place
More than ever, place-making needs to be at the centre of what councils do and not at a single spatial level. A coherent national plan is needed, says Robin Tuddenham.
Revised Best Value notices for two authorities
Two authorities have been issued with revised Best Value notices by ministers after it was found more improvement work was required.
Stockton’s winning digital formula
Stockton BC scooped the digital transformation award at The MJ Awards for its innovative approach to creating quality education, health and care plans. Cllr Lisa Evans reflects on the achievement.
Hollowed out local government sets off a downward spiral
'It is time to move the debate on from platitudes and tinkering with year-to-year budgets to the wholesale reform of the financial powers available to local government', says Mo Baines.
Dream big, start small
Ann McGauran reports on the Local Government AI Summit, which was aimed at providing the sector with a deeper understanding of the technology’s potential to solve real problems.
NAO issues wake-up call
The National Audit Office (NAO) chief’s warnings to Whitehall over governance are a wake-up call for councils too, the watchdog’s executive director Abdool Kara has said.
UK councils in distress – What can we learn from ‘Down Under’?
Recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Australia, Ian Owen describes how councils in the UK could learn a thing or two from their Australian counterparts’ transformational approach.
A Faer Point
The leaders responsible for delivering demand-led services are forced to be reactive and problem-solving, says Ben Cox. 'This makes it very hard to occupy the optimistic, forward-focused mindset that’s needed to really innovate at a strategic level.'
AI’s tipping point
How will artificial intelligence change local government and the lives of residents – and can the sector make the most of the opportunities it offers while mitigating risks? Ann McGauran reports,
AI and public services of the future
The challenge for Surrey is to work with partners to develop a regional economic ecosystem around AI, and harness the technology in a safe and trustworthy way, says Dawn Redpath.
‘Lack of progress’ in South Ayrshire transformation
South Ayrshire Council has been told it must quicken the pace of its transformation in a report by the Accounts Commission.
Transforming Belfast: the power of innovation-led prosperity
By aligning strategy and investment, Belfast is increasingly globally visible as an innovation economy, says Sam Markey. He outlines the city’s transformation journey.
A tactical shift that has boosted our services
Angela Bremner explains how leadership coaching has transformed Together for Children’s people services and led to the creation of a new performance management programme for the company.
Councils 'vital' to social prescribing success
Children’s charity Barnardo’s has said local authorities are ‘vital’ to the success of social prescribing as it called for a national strategy.