Heather Jameson
Heather Jameson is editor of the MJ
Reorganisation: modernise or be damned
The distraction of reorganisation may be a step too far. Or it may be the big bang needed to transform local government, says Heather Jameson.
Eyeing up the horizon on reorganisation
Heather Jameson looks at the latest round of reorganisation and asks: will it embolden councils to go for further restructures?
Birmingham faces intervention on SEND
Birmingham City Council faces a further intervention after a damning Ofsted report revealed it was not making progress.
Keep up COVID funding to end homelessness, says Kerslake
Ending homelessness is possible, but the Government needs to keep up funding or face a post-pandemic surge, an independent commission concluded.
Government needs to prep SMEs for net-zero
The Government needs to step up its COP26 campaigns to get small and medium sized businesses ready for net-zero, the chair of a Parliamentary committee has warned.
Johnson has flunked levelling up explanation chance, says MP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ‘flunked’ his chance to explain what levelling up means, the chair of a parliamentary committee has claimed.
Anderson accused of intimidating council chief
Former Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has been accused of alleged witness intimidation against the council’s chief executive, Tony Reeves, a court has heard.
Jenrick announces unitary deals
North Yorkshire and Somerset CCs have been given the go ahead to become single unitary councils while Cumbria will be carved in two.
The public understands there has to be a way to foot the social care bill
What is concerning about the last few days’ debate on social care reform is just how narrow it has become, says Heather Jameson.
Social care solution delayed again
Government plans to fix the adult social care system have been delayed again after a mooted national insurance rise provoked an outcry.
Is Boris in a jam on devo?
Boris Johnson’s levelling up speech was designed to kick-start devolution, quash the critics and calm the blue wall. Heather Jameson asks, did it succeed?
PM plans national insurance rise to fund social care
Ministers are believed to be planning a national insurance rise to fund adult social care.
MPs call for urgent finance reforms
Councils should be given more flexibility to raise their own taxes and social care funding urgently needs to be reformed, MPs have said.
Johnson: Bring your devolution plans to me
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for local leaders to take their devolution plans to him in a keynote speech from the West Midlands this morning.
Liverpool's accounts delayed by police investigation
Liverpool City Council auditors have warned they will not be able to sign off the council’s accounts until police fraud investigations are complete.
Raid on reserves will hit hard on council cash
As the Treasury threatens to raid reserves, Heather Jameson warns the 'snapshot' figures could have a long term impact on councils as we head for the spending review.
Getting back in the groove
As the country prepares to open up to gatherings again, Heather Jameson rounds up last week’s major annual virtual conferences – and finds an air of optimism within the sector despite the challenges ahead.
Sticking with simplicity
To say that The MJ’s chief executive of the year Chris Naylor has had a busy year is an understatement. He talks to Heather Jameson about what he loves doing – reforming organisations to 'do some remarkable things’.
Health Bill could lead to more centralisation, claims commission
The Health and Care Bill could lead to a more centralised system, a cross-party commission has claimed.
Newham launches permanent citizens' assembly
Newham LBC is launching the first permanent citizens' assembly in an effort to hand more power to people.
