Opinion - Page 1

Jonathan Carr-West says there’s clearly a sense in the sector that the window to get reorganisation back on track is rapidly closing, and it’s not clear this week’s announcements do enough to turn ...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Local growth needs consistency, not constant reinvention

By Sir Michael Lyons | 30 October 2026

Sustainable local economic growth requires long-term regeneration partnerships, strong council le...

AI

Local government: Increased use of AI poses risks

By Jon Rowney | 29 October 2026

'While we should continue to explore how AI can help us be more effective, we need to also double...

LOCAL ECONOMIES

Levelling out uneven social care provision

By Rosie Fogden | 29 October 2026

Fixing the postcode penalty for social care is key if growth is to reach all places, say Ben Fran...

BUDGET 2026

Rewired Budget

By Jonathan Werran | 29 October 2026

Reflecting on the Budget and the fiscal devolution roadmap, and looking ahead to the Rewiring the...

EMERGENCY PLANNING

Emergency preparedness must go beyond survival kits

By Heather Jameson | 29 October 2026

Effective community resilience requires local leadership, inclusive emergency planning and truste...

DEVOLUTION

Devolution and health: from why to how

By Mubasshir Ajaz | 29 October 2026

The debate is moving beyond whether devolution matters for health. The task now is to make it wor...

AI

Councils and AI: The future is now

By Eddie Copeland | 29 October 2026

If councils want to make the most of AI they need to start thinking longer term, says Eddie Copel...

FINANCE

Council funding: Priorities for devolution and financial sustainability

By Tracy Bingham | 29 October 2026

Councils need fairer funding, greater fiscal powers and long-term certainty to deliver sustainabl...

LEADERSHIP

Local government: Leading through limbo

By Lucy Trueman | 28 October 2026

Lucy Trueman looks at how to protect culture when certainty disappears.

LOCAL AUDIT

Recovering local audit and improving public spending

By Abdool Kara | 28 October 2026

New audit reforms aim to strengthen assurance, transparency, efficiency and public service outcom...