It’s fair to say this has been a year of extraordinary events and extreme inertia, writes Heather Jameson. As finances were squeezed the resilience of local government has been tested to its limits – and it has started to crumble in places.
Care provider Allied Healthcare may have found a buyer for its business, but Glen Garrod warns pre-Christmas uncertainty may lead some staff to walk away and some councils could transfer their contracts to other providers or bring them ‘in-house’
Despite a number of minor successes, the position of the sector as it approaches the end of the year remains precarious, according to Abdool Kara
Piali Das Gupta wants central Government, caught up with Brexit, to start paying attention to the voice of local authorities who argue that the practical needs of the people are not being met.
If 'managed migration' - moving more than four million claimants of legacy benefits on to Universal Credit from summer 2019 - is to succeed, local authorities must have a leading role in supporting applicants, says Cllr Muhammed Butt.
When making commercialisation part of your organisation, Anthony Roche of North Hertfordshire DC asks if you should focus on having the right culture, structure or strategy.
Eugenie Harvey describes how Harlow DC has developed a compelling place story to support the town’s growth opportunities.
Hopefully the Budget will shed light on the future direction of cities' finances, particularly with a Spending Review looming says Andrew Carter.
A new report ‘lays out an uncomfortable truth that county areas are some of the least socially mobile’ – but Carl Les says ‘small tweaks’ if taken together could deliver big results
District councils welcome the proposal to extend the time limit for spending existing Right to Buy receipts, but for councils to ensure they achieve best value this should be extended to include the use of future receipts, says Sharon Taylor
Local government had a ‘pretty good showing’ during the party conferences says Dr Jonathan Carr-West. He hopes it could be the start of a much-needed public debate on the local state
Stephen Weigel considers Professor Brian Cox's theories and how they can relate to local government.
Stepen Cirell explains how councils can gain maximum benefits from renewable energy schemes.
As much as I am a supporter of democracy, sometimes I look at the choices made by the political powers that be and I am utterly baffled, writes Heather Jameson.
