Heather Jameson
Heather Jameson is editor of the MJ
LGA research 'debunks' inefficient services myth
Wildly different spending levels in children’s services owe more to local demographic factors than to inefficiency or political decision, an independent report for the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed today.
Tracking the true cost of kids’ care
Huge discrepancies between the cost of children’s services in different authorities have hampered lobbying efforts. Heather Jameson looks at the latest report which debunks the myth that it’s all down to inefficiency.
EXCLUSIVE: Doubts raised over local industrial strategies rollout
Concerns have been raised over the future of local industrial strategies, amid fears Whitehall will fail to push the policy further than just a few urban areas.
Surrey announces new top team
Surrey CC has hired three new executive directors to its top team to work, joining chief executive Joanna Killian who took up her post in March.
Rising social care costs spell doom for services
Council spending on adult social care is squeezing cash out of other services, fresh analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has shown.
Former Norfolk CC leader Jordan dies
Former leader of Norfolk CC, Cliff Jordan, has died just weeks after he stepped down from his post.
£30m cash boost to tackle rough sleepers
Communities secretary James Brokenshire has announced a £30m cash boost to tackle rough sleepers in the worst hit parts of the country.
ALACE gives green light to improved pay offer
Council chief executives have accepted a revised pay deal which brings them in line with the rest of the sector’s staff.
Painting with a new brush
Heather Jameson talks to newly-announced London Councils chair Cllr Peter John about the association’s plans for the future after a significant shake-up of personnel and the need to establish a unified set of priorities for the benefit of all London local authorities.
John picked to head up London Councils
London Councils has elected Southwark LBC leader, Cllr Peter John, as its new chair to replace former incumbent, Cllr Claire Kober.
Brokenshire appoints Booth-Smith as SpAd
Localis chief executive Liam Booth-Smith has been appointed as a special adviser to local government secretary James Brokenshire.
‘No heroics – just solid leadership’
Attracted to the job of chief executive of Bolton by the ‘brilliant vision’ for the place, Tony Oakham is working on the delivery of that vision. He tells Heather Jameson about some of the leadership role models that have inspired him throughout his career.
Are we entering a new era of trust and respect?
Heather Jameson would like to see a communities secretary who makes local government a funding priority through the Spending Review in return for delivery on key government policies.
WMCA links 'cranes to communities' with new growth unit
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has created a new inclusive growth unit in a bid to boost opportunities for residents.
‘Toothless tiger’ standards beast needs to roar
both officers and councillors should be able to conduct their roles without fear of intimidation and that will require a standards regime with teeth, writes Heather Jameson.
The Seattle battle is a warning over tax raising
No one ever said tax was popular, but Seattle City Council faced the wrath of big business this week in a bid to raise levies to help fight homelessness – and, unsurprisingly, big business has hit back.
Localis chief to step down
Chief executive of local government think-tank Localis, Liam Booth-Smith, is to step down to take up a position as director of policy at Policy Exchange.
Forget voter ID, let’s boost turnout
A week on from the local elections and everything remains remarkably unchanged. Despite predictions of shocking defeats and electoral upheavals, the reality was a rather lacklustre performance by Labour and the Conservatives, with the Lib Dems the only party with much to celebrate.
Wolverhampton boss lands Lincs job
Lincolnshire CC has named Keith Ireland as its new chief executive.
Election results: Tories lose Trafford but hold in London
The Conservative flagship authority in Greater Manchester, Trafford City Council, has been lost to no overall control in an election night which saw a mixed bag for the two main parties.