governance
System reset required: go to settings
As the APSE Local Government Commission 2030 launches its findings, Paul O’Brien says we need a big bang reset to resolve the issues facing local authorities.
Government asks CIPFA to review eight councils
Eight councils granted ‘exceptional support’ from the Government are to undergo independent reviews of their finances.
Time to ditch the Assembly
After 21 years, Richard Stokoe argues that the London Assembly is failing in its duty to hold the Mayor of London to account. Borough leaders, he claims, would make a better replacement.
Nottingham set to bring energy company in-house
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring the company that provides district heating and electricity to some of its most deprived local communities in-house for an estimated transfer cost of £500,000.
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.
Northants commissioners in ‘hubris’ warning
Councils have been warned against falling victim to ‘hubris’ in the same manner as Northamptonshire CC.
Thanet facing £700k legal bill
Cash-strapped Thanet DC is facing legal costs of more than £700,000 as it grapples with disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Playing the NOC game
The 2021 local elections have resulted in more councils under no overall control. While uncertainty may be in play, understanding the ground rules of the new arrangements will lessen the chance of instability, says Ed Hammond.
Getting the basics right on standards
Joanne Roney says it is ‘high time’ the Government responded to the recommendations in the 2019 Committee for Standards in Public Life’s report on ethical standards in local government.
Admit when you’re wrong
If we know less and less about successes and failures because we allow denial of the truth and a refusal to admit mistakes, then we will be a weaker society for it, says Dan Corry.
Departed chief had threatened tribunal
York City Council was facing a potentially costly employment tribunal over allegations of bullying from its former chief executive before her departure, an investigation has found.
Council to review Greensill land sale
Cheshire West & Chester Council has halted the sale of land to Lex Greensill following controversy over his lobbying of government ministers.
Campaign launched to reverse centralisation
Local government must ‘turn the tide’ on 40 years in which its autonomy has been eroded, a new report has concluded.
Now is the time to retain remote meetings
Parliamentary time was found for flags and statues, says Cllr Brigid Jones. For virtual meetings ‘I’m sure the safety of 20,000 councillors can’t be much further down the priority list’, she adds.
How to help statutory officers do their duties
Clare Hardy looks at how councils can involve statutory officers effectively in decision-making and help avoid the need to issue section 5 or section 114 reports.
A philosophy of complaints
Nick Graham looks at whether ‘honour cultures’ might teach us more effective methods of resolving disputes – and outlines practical ways to foster an honour-based approach.
Good luck Liverpool
Intervention can be the best thing that happens to a council, ‘and can serve only to define the past not the future’, says Jo Miller. But the cause of the failure must be recognised and the right series of actions taken, she believes.
Meet the new breed of sustainable bonds
UK local authorities are well placed to access the capital markets through Envrionmental, Social and Governance bonds, and the range of projects they can fund is vast, says Christian Wall.
Liverpool Labour and the wider party should never have let this happen
After Max Caller's 'shocking' report on Liverpool City Council, Labour needs to make a case for good governance, and let go of its centralising tendencies, says Emma Burnell.
Liverpool looks to the future
Chief executive of Liverpool City Council Tony Reeves talks to Heather Jameson about the damning Caller report that followed the arrest of former Mayor Joe Anderson, and insists the council is addressing its weaknesses.
