leadership
Who wouldn’t want to be a DCS?
As directors of children’s services gather at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Philip Emms and Jane Parfrement reflect on the achievements of the aspirant DCS programme
Climate action’s delicate high-wire act
Jonathan Stephenson says reaching net zero is a monumental task that demands unity - a coming together of local authorities, the private sector, universities, and communities.
A Faer Point
Partner at Faerfield Dawn Faulkner says: 'There’s a popular assumption that ‘the more you know about me, the better we can do business together’ – but what if the opposite were true?'
Shining a light on relationships
As leaders tackle the challenge of cultivating collaborations across the public sector Dr Rachel Hawley and Professor Tony Wall offer some tips to deepen relationships at a time when stress is running high.
Why prioritising EDI is business-critical
If we want the benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) it has to be worked on as a priority and be baked into the DNA of our culture, says Gordon McFarlane.
Launch of the CEO Commercial Blueprint
Adele Gritten of Local Partnerships says her organisation's CEO blueprint is intended to take council chief executives through a 'need-to-know, structured, risk-aware and financially sustainable approach to developing commercial initiatives'.
Ensuring a plan comes together
A genuine working partnership between central and local government is vital to the success of local planning, as Justin ‘Hannibal’ Griggs explains.
AI: The future for local government
Last week, Rishi Sunak brought world leaders to Bletchley Park to focus on AI, but what will it mean for councils? Penna and The MJ asked a recent round table just that. Heather Jameson reports.
Thinking big and delivering locally
Chippenham Town Council may be a parish council, but is structured as and acts like a district or borough council – and that was always the plan, says Mark Smith.
Perry bemoans police probe speed
Croydon LBC’s elected mayor Jason Perry has bemoaned the speed of the Metropolitan Police’s investigation into the council’s former leadership over the authority’s financial collapse.
Council told to focus on 'getting basics right'
South Holland DC should focus on ‘getting the basics right’ before pushing ahead with more innovative improvement proposals, sector peers have reported.
The best senior managers are tremendous hypocrites
If as a manager you have a clear coherent philosophy and a set of values you stick to then you will be much admired, but your success may be limited, says Blair Mcpherson.
Organisational leadership: a constantly evolving challenge
With the financial need for many organisations to have streamlined senior teams – in spite of increased demand-led pressures – Dawn Faulkner highlights the importance of maintaining long-term investment in talent without losing strong leaders.
A Faer Point
Martin Tucker looks at how a chief executive can approach dealing with 'a conflict seemingly beyond their remit or power to resolve, but which could have a devastating effect on their organisation' - and protect their resilience.
Cracking productivity
The UK’s cities have major untapped potential when it comes to innovation-led prosperity, says Chris Murray. He highlights the possible solutions to help unlock productivity.
Time to unleash the potential of local authorities on net zero
If Westminster will not provide national leadership on net zero, it should empower ambitious local authorities to forge ahead, says Chris Skidmore MP.
Jones warns of s114 impact
The lead commissioner for Thurrock and Slough councils has warned fellow chief executives of the ‘devastating’ impact of issuing a section 114 notice.
The only path out of our recruitment and retention crisis is investment in people
Graeme McDonald says the sector's investment in people has a way to travel to get back to the levels those now in leadership roles considered the norm when they began their careers.
Bouncing back from rock bottom. Local government reimagined
Much has been written about Birmingham's downfall but what is much less written about is what to do to course-correct and make swift, meaningful, long-lasting and beneficial change, says chief executive of Local Partnerships Adele Gritten.
Lifelong learning for chief executives
This week Solace and the Local Government Association are launching the prototype of a new professional development offer to support chief executives through the complex challenges they face. Barry Quirk explains.
