Analysis The MJ
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Transformation ‘largely left to smoulder on the back burner’
June 21, 2019
Five years ago the Service Transformation Challenge Panel was launched with the aim of delivering better outcomes in local public services. But a new report notes little progress since the UK EU membership referendum.
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Searching locally for the antidote to populism
June 19, 2019
How can local government leaders help cohesive communities to flourish in a time of growing populism and in the middle of a central political and policy vacuum? Ann McGauran reports
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Investigating the homelessness challenge on the Isle of Wight
June 18, 2019
The fourth leg of the LG Challenge 2019 landed at Isle of Wight Council. Penny Galvin outlines how the participants performed on delivering a route from homelessness to housing
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United view?
June 14, 2019
Chair of the LGA Lord Porter says the smaller unitaries have ‘probably a larger number of councils close to the edge’. But as Ann McGauran reports, it may be hard to generalise about the financial health of this ‘disparate group’.
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Accessing key drivers for partnership working
June 12, 2019
Access to skills, technology and investment were among the key reasons for local authorities to work with the private sector says a recent survey jointly commissioned by The MJ and Serco. Michael Burton reports
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'We've broken the social contract with people'
June 9, 2019
Former Society of Local Authority Chief Executives president Jo Miller is leaving her chief executive role at Doncaster MBC to take up a new local government post in New Zealand. She talks to Heather Jameson about her legacy.
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Unchaining social value
June 3, 2019
A new report reveals some councils are building social value into their procurement – but that senior council decision makers must take more interest in securing broader benefits when commissioning services. Hiba Mahamadi investigates
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Tackling child exploitation together
June 3, 2019
A programme to support areas battling child exploitation has been launched by the Department for Education. Ann McGauran reports on how the £2m scheme will work with councils
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Talking about the bespoke approach
June 3, 2019
Dan Peters reports from a recent round table hosted by The MJ and the National Audit Office, which explored new interest in and conditions for commercialisation as a process that can help councils save money and generate funds
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The biggest challenge in local government
May 29, 2019
Last week, James Brokenshire announced the reorganisation of Northamptonshire CC – a year later than was originally planned. Heather Jameson speaks to chief executive Theresa Grant and her commissioners on progress at the crisis-hit county.
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21st century leadership, technology and climate change
May 22, 2019
A number of councils in the UK have declared a climate change emergency. Max Wide says that while better technologies will help, what’s really needed to change behaviour is ‘bold, artful and technologically aware leadership’
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The cost of the care challenge
May 22, 2019
The recent collapse into administration of care provider Four Seasons has highlighted the huge financial pressures the sector faces. Michael Burton examines the figures
