Martin Swales
Chief executive of South Tyneside
We will do everything we can to save lives
The national COVID-19 emergency is seeing the very best of our councils and our workforces and we have a ‘unique and vital role to play’, says Martin Swales.
Close co-operation to aid our communities
As Solace's annual Summit gets underway in Birmingham this week, president Martin Swales urges local authorities to work with others on building their local economies.
Recognising the value of social housing
The upcoming Green Paper on social housing can open the door to several opportunities for local authorities and tenants. Martin Swales looks at some of the key points to look out for.
It's all about partnerships and collaboration
Participation in research about public sector partnerships gave South Tyneside MBC the momentum to forge a series of successful programmes, writes Martin Swales.
Navigating the skills and local economic growth quandary
The recent launch of the SOLACE paper, Skills and Local Economic Growth, had one clear message: only by maximising skills outcomes can we successfully grow local economies, writes Martin Swales.
Northern lights
Martin Swales believes the North East’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park demonstrates the strong role local government can play in driving the UK economy.
An inside perspective
After South Tyneside became the first local authority to be inspected under new joint targeted inspections for children and young people, Martin Swales shares how the council prepared and what other chief executives can learn from its example
We are not complacent on complaints
The Local Government Ombudsman report gives us all food for thought.
Building on our strengths
It is an exciting time for South Tyneside MBC, leader of the council, Cllr Iain Malcolm and Cllr Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council.