Jonathan Werran
Jonathan Werran is head of news at Localis
Protecting our social infrastructure
The needs of community infrastructure are as deserving of funding as the multi-billions being allocated in capital funding to our big state growth schemes, says Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran.
Brighten all corners
Better, more consistent and accountable use of the Social Value Act could give communities the benefits they truly need from place-sensitive public service commissioning in the post-COVID era, writes Jonathan Werran.
Leaving nothing to chance
The ‘levelling-up’ Budget is era-defining and ambitious in scope – but we will have to wait until the summer Spending Review to understand the blueprint, says Localis’s Jonathan Werran.
This year’s model
As the tenth Conservative housing minister in a decade assumes the position, Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran assesses the political and policy challenges in the light of last week’s reshuffle.
The price to pay
If the Johnson Government values the institutions of mayoral governance as agents of levelling up, they will have to creatively fund and resource them, writes Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran.
Ringing the changes
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran on how the Johnson government might seek to tackle the challenges brought by its unexpectedly broad mandate.
It’s time to clean up our act
With more than 230 local climate emergencies declared nationwide, it’s time for our local and combined authorities to take action for decarbonisation and sustainable clean growth, writes Jonathan Werran.
It’s a fiscal drag
If we are ever going to unlock the benefits and freedoms that fiscal devolution could engender in localities, we have to set out what the political problem is, writes Jonathan Werran.
This constant parade of Northern leaders to where power really is symbolises what needs to change
The endless parade of local leaders on pilgrimage to London to secure benefits for their areas symbolises what needs to change in the topsy-turvy nature of central-local relations, argues Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran.
Goodwill hunting
A new Localis report suggests ministers should lift the cap for council tax referendums and let local people put their money where their heart is, writes Jonathan Werran.
Wrestling with public service markets
Jonathan Werran argues the case for a mixed market in public service provision.
Homes under the Hammond
Head of news and events for think-tank Localis, Jonathan Werran, looks at what the Budget means for housing.
Juggling George Osborne’s ‘little present’ on pay
A disproportionate share of low-paid workers makes town hall employers more exposed to a hike in wage bills than other parts of the public sector, exacerbating pay talks pressures, writes Jonathan Werran.
LGPS opt up move praised
Sector figures have lauded a policy shift that would allow members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) to opt up to elected professional status.
DUP cash would transform Greater Manchester’s transport
Infrastructure funding of the scale afforded to Northern Ireland would revitalise the English regions, the chair of a major local government pension fund has argued.
‘No Yorkshire devo deal’
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry this week ruled out a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal.
Anger at U-turn over control of social care cash
Council chiefs have pushed back at ministers’ last-minute decision to exert control over how the £2bn cash boost for social care should be spent.
‘Respect our councillors’
Elected members must be ‘bolder and braver’ in combating a ‘poverty of respect’ from outside bodies who fail to recognise their democratic mandate, an academic has urged.
Austerity fears grow amid business rates uncertainty
Continued ‘major uncertainty’ over the Government’s business rates retention plans is forcing finance experts to devise policy in a vacuum, experts warned this week.
Public sector pay cap remains in force
The Government has held firm in the face of pressure for it to ease-up on below inflation pay awards for public servants.
