This is a week of launches for The MJ. Not only are we launching the awards for 2014, but the more observant reader will have noticed by now that The MJ has changed. Our redesigned MJ is not just a window dressing exercise, although I hope you like the new look and find it easy to read. This is part of a wider investment in The MJ - on paper, online and across our portfolio. As the local government sector faces a financial crisis and has had to rethink what it offers the public, we too have considered what we are offering to you. We want to play our part in making local government services better and provide you with a valuable product that helps you deliver. According to our reader research, you wanted to see more on finance and transformation, more case studies and more best practice – so that is what we are doing. In this issue you will still find the same, strong news section that we have always offered, along with a news analysis taking a closer look at current issues in depth. This week, Michael Burton is giving his take on what the party conferences mean for local government. We have introduced a best practice page to spark ideas of how to do things better across your authority, as well as case studies to demonstrate how policies are being carried out on the frontline. And there is a Policy and Politics page to look at the latest developments from across the political spectrum. It doesn't stop there. If you want to see more information, it is available on our website. For reports, further details and other examples, as well as opinions and quick reactions, just login to www.TheMJ.co.uk using your subscription. Our website will be changing over the coming months too so keep logging on to keep up-to-date with what we are doing and what is happening in local government. Let me know what you think of the new-look MJ – email me at hr.jameson@hgluk.com - and what else you think we should be covering.