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Simon Edwards

Simon Edwards

Articles by Simon Edwards

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 ...

Resources are needed to keep councils away from the precipice

By Simon Edwards | 27 September 2023

It is becoming more clear a further injection of resources will be needed to stop more councils g...