Transformation
Are we building back better or bleaker?
We glimpsed a reimagined world during the pandemic, but there is a certain bleakness stemming from a moment missed, says Max Wide. He believes building back better is still possible, but needs conscious leadership.
Burnham attacks Whitehall bidding culture
Central Government wastes more money than local government because of the bidding culture, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has claimed.
Call for national 'civic service'
London Councils’ chair has called for the introduction of a national ‘civic service’ so everyone in communities can play a part in their transformation.
Strategic reset: stabilising the ship?
As organisations attempt to settle into new ways of working, Professor Tony Wall, Christine McDonald, and Dr Rachel Robins spotlight key strategic priorities emerging from employee voices that must be heard.
We now have a clear evidence base for change to children's social care
The Independent Review of Children's Social Care heeds the County Councils Network's calls for a much greater focus on prevention, keeping families together, and a move away from reliance on costly residential care, says Simon Edwards.
The private sector is essential to levelling up
When levelling up, government will achieve the most by enabling and empowering the private sector to increase investment, jobs and growth at local levels, says Athina Agrafioti.
Embedding service resilience in a post-pandemic world
What are the issues facing councils as they return to some form of post-pandemic normality and start to rebuild front line services? Michael Burton reports on a round table debate on the challenges to creating and maintaining service resilience.
Driving towards great social care
Jeremy Cooper says the list of transformational change factors facing directors of adult social services may seem overwhelming, but councils have done a fantastic job at keeping focused on how to deliver great care.
Better Outcomes, Better Lives in Manchester
Bernadette Enright says Manchester is starting to see the impact of its programme of transformational change for adult social care, including improved outcomes and the ability to reinvest in services
The art of the possible in Shropshire
As we move to post-pandemic recovery, Andy Begley reflects on how COVID has impacted on a host of Shropshire Council’s relationships, beyond the obvious ones with people and organisations
Going in a new direction at Runnymede
Runnymede BC recruits in a small but competitive market, and to operate effectively for residents, and meet modern employees’ expectations, it has been transforming how it works, says Paul Turrell.
How Southwark LBC transformed and automated its exchequer services
Laurence Fleming and Grace Warr explain why Southwark LBC chose to work with a partner to deliver more efficient and cost-effective seamless online exchequer services.
Levelling up: the digital challenge
The MJ and BT recently held a round table debate with nine leading council chief executives from the Midlands and the North to debate the challenges and opportunities from the digital revolution. Michael Burton reports.
How digital technology transformed care in Enfield
Enfield is using data to understand people’s lives like never before and helping to transform and evolve adult social care practice to deliver the best outcomes. Kerry Gumble explains.
Breaking the bias in Stockport
On International Women’s Day, leader of Stockport MBC Cllr Elise Wilson outlines the positive steps being taken to improve equality both within the council, across the borough and in the wider Greater Manchester region.
The importance of councils’ next digital steps
Digital transformation presents many opportunities for local government, but making the most of the benefits and minimising risks calls for a strategy that meets your customers’ needs, says David Bemrose.
The golden chance to make digital strides
Rachael Walker looks at the systems challenges ahead for councils as they gear up to distribute the Government’s cash assistance with energy costs.
Senior management workforce warning
Councils are increasingly struggling to recruit and retain senior managers due to demographic factors and relatively poor remuneration packages, sector workforce experts have warned.
There's a story alright, but perhaps not the one you were expecting
Where scale and inter organisational efficiency were once the answer, now innovation and place-based transformation are the keystones of where East Hampshire DC and Havant BC go next, says Gill Kneller.
'Wicked questions' need resolving on health and care integration
The integration White Paper will help move the NHS towards a new partnership with local government but ‘wicked questions’ still need resolving, the Health Devolution Commission (HDC) has said.
