Jonathan Werran
Jonathan Werran is head of news at Localis
Lagging behind the retrofit challenge
We risk deepening a divide between rich and poor and different parts of the compass unless we localise national retrofitting strategies, writes Jonathan Werran.
How to build communities
We need a long-term approach to investing in housing and placemaking that puts the needs of communities first, says Jonathan Werran – and greater transparency will restore local trust in the planning process.
Just when you thought it was safe
The first multi-year public finance settlement for many years might not answer every question, but could clear the decks for what lies beyond the deep blue sea of the next General Election, says Jonathan Werran.
Planning for posterity
If we want to ensure the younger generation doesn’t miss out on housing opportunities, the focus has to be on what will endure and models that support the longer picture in placemaking, says Jonathan Werran.
Sharpening the commercial edge
The case for well-managed council commercial activity is one that needs to be defended if we want a mature and sustainable local state, argues Jonathan Werran.
Playing it long
A Localis policy webinar on long-term local government finances indicated strategic pragmatism will be order of the day for the sector until the mid-2020s, writes Jonathan Werran.
Local results will supercharge the levelling up ambitions
The Conservative government is now set to enjoy an assured position of dominance and power at local and national level, says chief executive of Localis Jonathan Werran.
Let's make sure Transforming Public Procurement delivers beyond SW1
We shouldn’t allow Greensill to distract us from asking what needs to change centrally to release the true value of economic, social and community value at the level of place in the commissioning and delivery of public services, says Jonathan Werran.
At the right level
As the heart of the UK's knowledge and biotech economies, Oxford urgently needs urban leadership powers to deliver regional growth crucial to national renewal and recovery, writes Jonathan Werran.
Experienced drivers wanted
Let our localities choose which local delivery vehicles should drive growth and recovery from government’s post-Brexit cash pots, writes Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran.
SPENDING REVIEW: Live to fight another year
Local government has probably got just about enough from the chancellor to keep the show on the road, says Jonathan Werran. 'And possibly extend the road for the sake of kicking the familiar battered can that is social care funding down it...'
Creating Powerful Communities
The Recovery and Devolution White Paper must seize on the promise of double devolution to build economic and social renewal from the bottom up, says chief executive of Localis Jonathan Werran.
HOUSING: You get what you give
Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran asks what the inability to deliver a multi-year finance settlement means for housing recovery.
Give us the fiscal tools to finish the recovery job
Fiscal devo should work in England to boost growth, placemaking and social wellbeing as it does in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, says Jonathan Werran.
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.
