Where next for local government financial reform?
With the falling of the Local Government Finance Bill, the IFS's David Phillips assesses where this leaves reforms to the sector's finance system.
Opinion
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Change to pension boards should be kept to a minimum
June 26, 2017
Local pension boards already have all the tools they need to play their vital part in the governance of the local government pensions scheme, writes William Bourne.
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Terror, a tragedy and a lost reputation
June 21, 2017
The last few weeks have seen Britain hit by terror attacks and now the Grenfell Tower fire. The horror of watching an inferno, knowing there are people inside, will stay with us all for years to come.
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Carter vs Simmonds: Why I want to be LGA Tory leader
June 22, 2017
Local Government Association Conservative Group leadership candidates, Kent CC leader Paul Carter and Hillingdon LBC deputy leader David Simmonds, outline their top priorities.
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Finding the right commercial route to survival
June 21, 2017
Commercialisation is no guaranteed cash cow, says Joe Simpson, but by taking a few lessons from the markets, councils may not only survive, but thrive.
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We need to involve people in difficult decisions about services
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Cyber security must be managed and understood at all levels
It is not a question of if we will be threatened by a cyber attack, but when, writes Jo Miller.
An early start is vital
The argument for early intervention sounds straightforward, writes Alison Michalska, but the difficulties lie in evidencing that it is working.
PODCAST: Still leading from the front line
In the latest Public Intelligence/The MJ podcast on leadership, Jim McMahon explains why he puts communities at the centre of everything – and central government needs to do the same after Brexit. Heather Jameson reports.
Cock-up or conspiracy: the impact of the General Election
Jonathan Carr-West looks at the possible implications June's General Election could have on the local elections.
Small steps to fairer opportunities
Devolution of the work and health programme to London is helping the capital’s boroughs on their journey towards achieving inclusive growth. Peter John explains.
From the archive
The shadow of Clement Attlee
In a recent tidy-up here at MJ Towers we uncovered an old album of photographs taken in 1963 at a black tie Savoy dinner hosted by the then ‘Municipal Journal’.
Director's chair: The decline of local media
Latest readership figures for major regional papers show the pace of circulation decline is quickening.
Are our reserves good enough if the cuts kick-off?
Forget all the publicity over the John Lewis advert heralding the run-up to Christmas – November is way too early for that. The real countdown to the festive season follows the utterly misnamed Autumn Statement, writes Heather Jameson.