Productivity

Closing the gap between London and big cities outside the capital is vital to delivering broad-based national growth and prosperity. - and there is good news to celebrate and build on, says Andrew ...

POLICY AND POLITICS

Reed refuses to rule out fresh planning legislation

By Dan Peters | 12 November 2025

Fresh planning legislation could be tabled to strip back environmental protections in an effort t...

Let outcomes not just effort be the measure of your council's legacy

By Tony Munton | 20 October 2025

As the sector awaits the finalisation of the Local Government Outcomes Framework, Tony Munton loo...

FINANCE

Reorganisation and fair funding will 'throw cards up in the air' on budgets

By Ann McGauran | 16 October 2025

The impact of reorganisation and the fair funding review will ‘throw all the cards up in the air’...

PRODUCTIVITY

How productive is local government – and are there any savings left?

By Jeremy Cooper | 15 October 2025

As the sector awaits the launch of the Local Government Outcomes Framework, how ready is local go...

HOUSING

Time to step up the pace

By Heather Jameson | 08 October 2025

Heather Jameson canvasses sector experts’ views on the New Towns Taskforce report, and finds a hi...

DEVOLUTION

Growing London benefits everyone

By Antonia Jennings | 07 October 2025

London must not be ignored as the Government focuses on spreading devolution across England – for...

INCLUSIVE GROWTH

Productivity is not nirvana

By Nigel Wilcock | 24 September 2025

Nigel Wilcock challenges traditional economic metrics and outlines how local government can lead ...

AI

Make AI a booster, not a blocker

By Vivek Behl | 22 August 2025

Without a co-ordinated approach to AI adoption, councils risk causing confusion and frustration r...

HR

Why the four-day week works for South Cambridgeshire

By Cllr Bridget Smith | 13 August 2025

Cllr Bridget Smith says South Cambridgeshire’s four-day week improved service delivery, staff wel...

PLANNING

Slough speeds into the thriving zone

By Will Tuckley | 16 July 2025

Slough’s Simplified Planning Zone shows how the need for a flourishing local economy can be compa...