Martin Ford
District expectations tempered for Spending Review
The District Councils’ Network annual conference has heard reforms to local government finance are not expected in the short-term.
Sector ‘right to be concerned’ about levelling up
Local government should be wary of the contents of the levelling up White Paper, a think-tank has warned.
Devolve powers to level up
The panel brought together by the Centre for Progressive Policy think-tank agreed local government needed more powers to make the agenda a success.
Watchdog calls for mandatory transfer scheme
Ofsted has joined calls for councils to be required to take in unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Councillor jailed over threats to chief executive
Peter Little pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message to Allerdale chief executive officer Andrew Seekings.
Government appoints SEND commissioner at Birmingham
A former council chief executive has been appointed to oversee improvements to Birmingham City Council’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) service.
The power of quiet diplomacy
Outgoing chair of the District Councils’ Network, Cllr John Fuller, talks to Martin Ford about his legacy. He says districts showed their mettle during COVID and are best placed to deliver the levelling up agenda.
Call for ground-up approach to carbon reduction
The Government must ‘match the ambition of communities’ on reducing carbon emissions, a think-tank has said.
Blackburn with Darwen public health director to retire
Professor Dominic Harrison was a leading figure in pressing for local test and trace systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Inspiring’ chief executive to stand down after 22-year career
Hayley Barsby has announced she is to leave Mansfield DC in the new year.
Retrofitting risks ‘dangerous divide’
Councils should have a role to play in avoiding widening regional inequalities when retrofitting housing, according to a new report today.
Breckland appoints new chief
Maxine O’Mahony has been announced as the new chief executive with immediate effect.
‘Tough decisions’ for Peterborough
Peterborough City Council faces ‘tough decisions’ to get a grip on its finances, according to a peer challenge report.
Dropping chief 'like shooting ourselves in the head and both feet'
A cross-party committee at Arun DC questioned the need to replace outgoing chief executive Nigel Lynn.
Firms warn of elections timetable danger
Firms in the supply chain for elections have told ministers not to shorten the timeframe for holding polls.
Councils have 'irreplaceable' role in levelling up
Councils are ready to work with central government to deliver change in communities, president of chief executives' organisation Solace, Joanne Roney, has said.
Eden appoints interim chief executive
Former Allerdale BC chief executive officer, Ian Frost, has joined Eden DC as interim boss.
Bexley withdraws capitalisation request
The council said ‘sound financial planning’ meant it would not need the extra funds to balance its books.
Leading the warriors out of COVID
Jim McManus talks to Martin Ford about the impact of the COVID crisis on directors of public health and says we need to take the opportunity to learn the lessons of the pandemic so that we are ready in the future.
Lords warn social care funding increase is not enough
Peers have told the Government its proposed funding increase will not solve the problems within the social care system.
