Hammond must not take the sector for granted
Chancellor Philip Hammond must ensure local government does not face a crisis similar to those in the prison service and justice system, says Michael Burton
Opinion
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A 'one bid per council' approach to high streets cash holds back collaboration
February 13, 2019
Allen Graham understands that bids for the Government's planned £675m future high streets fund will be restricted to one per authority - with no mechanism for districts to collaborate by linking bids.
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Compromise may be required on fair funding
February 13, 2019
For the fair funding review to be successful compromise may be necessary, says Richard Flinton - and a (largely) united front will give a better shot at securing a system that can stand the test of time.
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Don't ignore the work of the districts on social prescribing
February 13, 2019
When announcing new social prescribers the Government ignored the progress being made in district councils and has created a parallel competing bureaucracy, says Cllr John Fuller.
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Councils caught in the middle
February 13, 2019
Bob Neill says nailing down a robust framework to strengthen scrutiny is an essential part of the management and delivery of academies – and we still haven’t adequately filled the guardian role local authorities carry out for maintained schools
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A good gig?
Helen Snow looks at the implications of the gig economy for local authorities
Councils should have a planner in top team
Cuts to planning authority budgets have left them unable to compete with the private sector for the best in leadership talent. It's time for local authority chief executives to put planning back at the top table, says Victoria Hills
Austerity cuts get the blame for Brexit
Domestic political decisions were to blame for Brexit and will do little to help those deprived Leave areas that helped make it happen, says Michael Burton.
Better Times?
The prospect of working somewhere where the aim is more than survival is tempting.But Blair Mcpherson remembers the wise words of his mentor - which prompted a renewed appreciation of the positive aspects of his role.
Shopping around: councils can find fortune by diversifying into retail
Value still exists in the retail sector, but councils need to understand where to look in order to secure a strong return. By being savvy, they can mitigate the risk and maximise the opportunity, according to James Duncan
Pulling leisure out of the deep end
Denbighshire CC is sharing the learning and the success of its commercial approach to leisure provision with the rest of the UK through a £750 million framework, says Jamie Groves
From the archive
How to innovate...
Alex Thomson looks at how local authorities can innovate at a time of austerity.
Review public services in post-austerity Britain
The national housing shortage and lack of jobs for young people are two of the most pressing issues facing the country today.
Reorganisation must not mean a return to the 1990s
Those of us with long memories will recall the drawn-out saga of local government reorganisation in England from 1992 when the Banham Commission trundled round the country like a mediaeval caravan taking soundings.