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Simon Edwards

Simon Edwards

Articles by Simon Edwards

Reform of SEND cannot come quickly enough

By Simon Edwards | 05 June 2025

With deficits increasing and liabilities for SEND accruing interest on the existing debt, this is...

Funding review must not only be evidence-led, but needs-led

By By Simon Edwards | 10 April 2025

County areas face a double whammy if the Government uses funding reform to focus resources dispro...

Fair funding review must be transparent

By Simon Edwards | 17 February 2025

The fair funding review must be done in a transparent and evidence-based manner if it is going to...

Distribution, devolution and reorganisation

By By Simon Edwards | 21 November 2024

Simon Edwards says that while deprivation is an important indicator of need, as the CCN's chairma...

Bus franchising not the answer for counties

By Simon Edwards | 30 September 2024

Like buses, you wait ages for reforms to come along – and then two arrive together, writes Simon ...

Proposals to bring back strategic planning have merit

By By Simon Edwards | 30 July 2024

A return of strategic planning across the country could fill the void between local and national ...

Counties call for action in key election battlegrounds

By Simon Edwards | 28 May 2024

Simon Edwards outlines CCN members' asks of the General Election contenders ahead of polling day ...

Setting out the foundation of a long-term housing plan

By Simon Edwards | 13 March 2024

Over the coming weeks, CCN will outline a host of different reforms, from improving delivery of a...

Staff shocks

By Simon Edwards | 02 February 2024

A new report from the County Councils' Network and PwC lays out some solutions to a complex secto...

A new Government provides the opportunity for long-term reform

By Simon Edwards | 15 January 2024

The SEN system and the broken children’s social care residential market are the main drivers of ...