Improvement

Hamida Ali and Mel Stevens argue politics is not an obstacle to good governance. The challenge is creating the relationships, information and rigour that allow disagreement to improve decisions rat...

Is public service delivery really dead?

By Ben Page | 22 July 2026

Performance alone does not win public trust. While better outcomes matter, public opinion is shap...

PEOPLE

EXCLUSIVE: Tuckley steps down from Slough as Thurrock hires new chief

By Heather Jameson | 15 July 2026

Slough BC managing director commissioner Will Tuckley is expected to step down, The MJ understands.

ASSURANCE

EXCLUSIVE: Independent assurance panel fails to update council progress

By Dan Peters | 14 July 2026

An independent assurance panel formed to ‘support, challenge and advise’ Cheshire East Council’s ...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Norfolk's vision pays off for children

By Sara Tough | 24 June 2026

Norfolk CC has received the top Ofsted grading for its children’s services department, with outst...

IMPROVEMENT

Council urged to take immediate steps to cut costs

By Neil Merrick | 23 June 2026

A council has been warned it must take immediate steps to cut costs, including ‘reshaping’ its wo...

REORGANISATION

Peers call for reorganisation reset

By Joe Lepper | 28 May 2026

Peers have called for a ‘fundamental reset’ around local government reorganisation (LGR) among De...

POLICY AND POLITICS

Reform UK council hit by trebling of councillor conduct complaints

By Joe Lepper | 18 May 2026

Peers have raised concerns about the impact of increasing reports of negative member behaviour on...

CARE QUALITY COMMISSION

CQC hands out third inadequate rating

By Joe Lepper | 18 May 2026

Salford City Council is the third council to be rated inadequate for its adult social care servic...

POLICY AND POLITICS

EXCLUSIVE: MHCLG working to overhaul Best Value

By Dan Peters | 14 May 2026

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is working on a review and upda...

ELECTIONS

How local government absorbs political change

By Blair McPherson | 11 May 2026

The predictions are of new parties in power, new leaders in charge, disruption and inexperience r...