Analysis
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LG Challenge: The leading light
October 4, 2017
After being crowned winner of the LG Challenge, Denise Blair speaks to Sam Clayden about the competition, her aspirations and elephants.
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A world of opportunities and challenges
October 4, 2017
A survey by The MJ and BT asked local authority chief executives and managers for their views on how digital transformation was changing their service delivery. Michael Burton reports on the key findings.
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May must fan the embers at the Conservative conference
September 28, 2017
In advance of this year’s Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Liam Booth-Smith asks if an embattled Theresa May is capable of using her platform address to reignite her premiership by tackling the burning injustices of housing and social [. [..]
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Missing the bigger picture?
September 27, 2017
It’s easy to ignore major issues and focus on smaller things to do and improve. But, argues Dan Corry, in public services there comes a time when you can no longer ignore that fact that the system is not working.
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Will 100% business rates deliver benefits?
September 20, 2017
Fresh analysis questions whether 100% business rates retention would actually benefit councils. Michael Burton reports.
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What went wrong in Rotherham
September 19, 2017
Sam Clayden analyses the findings of six independent investigations delving into alleged failures at Rotherham MBC at the height of the child sexual exploitation scandal.
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A new hope for children’s services?
September 14, 2017
At a crucial and at times troubling period for children’s services, and with new Ofsted leadership in place, Dan Peters looks at the current state of play as councils continue to grapple with inspection, improvement and, in some cases, intervention.
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Power for good in an uncertain world
September 13, 2017
Six months into her term as Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Spielman speaks about the watchdog’s role in children’s services improvement and offers some messages for those in the sector. Sam Clayden reports.
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Lamenting the loss of local news
September 13, 2017
Sam Clayden looks at last week’s London Assembly report on the decline of local media, and below Michael Burton speaks with Bob Kerslake about the effect it is having on scrutiny and local democracy.
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A more volatile environment for senior managers
September 13, 2017
Sam Clayden reports on the alarming rise in dismissals and suspensions of chief executives and the fallout it creates.
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Sector told to boost reserves
September 13, 2017
Local authorities are increasingly dipping into their reserves to plug funding gaps – something the Government continues to celebrate. But the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s chief executive warns the sector to ignore central [..]
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Tax receipts flatter July’s budget figures
September 7, 2017
There was good news for July’s public finance figures but the long-term picture remains delicate, reports Michael Burton.
