Improvement
Auditors concerned by slow transformation
Scotland’s Accounts Commission is ‘extremely concerned’ by slow transformation at Moray Council, which faces a £31m deficit despite years of warnings to improve.
Officer-councillor tensions affecting outcomes, review finds
‘Clear and obvious tensions’ between Teignbridge DC’s executive and senior leadership team are ‘inhibiting progress and damaging the council’s reputation,’ a review has warned.
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant'
South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Judgment day
Kent and Home Office face growing pressure over asylum-seeking children.
Two-year Sandwell intervention to end
Local government minister Simon Hoare has today confirmed that Whitehall’s two-year intervention at Sandwell Council will end.
'Culture of mistrust' found at Newham
Newham LBC’s chief executive has vowed to tackle the ‘culture of mistrust’ among politicians and officers laid bare by a critical peer review.
LGA 'strengthens' peer challenge but still won't name and shame resistant councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its ‘strengthened’ corporate peer challenge (CPC) to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Audit Commission fears continue to haunt Oflog
A senior sector figure has expressed concerns about the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) direction of travel.
Slough intervention could continue after November - Government
Whitehall intervention in Conservative-led Slough BC could continue beyond November, the Government has suggested.
Birmingham 'worse' than commissioners feared
The situation in Birmingham City Council is worse than commissioners expected, a report to the secretary of state has claimed.
Local authorities in the spotlight: Hit the simplify button
Service director at Peopletoo Selinda Chouhan sets out nine foundations local authorities need to have in place to support the delivery of improvement, transformation and change programmes.
LGA moves towards performance support role
The Local Government Association (LGA) is to take a more proactive role as it seeks to do more to prevent Whitehall intervention in councils, The MJ understands.
Statutory recommendations lifted at Sandwell
Auditors have lifted the three statutory recommendations in place at Sandwell MBC.
Revised Best Value notices for two authorities
Two authorities have been issued with revised Best Value notices by ministers after it was found more improvement work was required.
Accounts Commission highlights ‘strong leadership’ at Dumfries and Galloway
An Accounts Commission report has praised Dumfries and Galloway Council’s leadership and finances – but it needs to keep local residents better informed on local services.
Oflog chair ‘aware of the systemic pressures’
Chair of the Office for Local Government (Oflog), Lord Morse, has said he wants to ‘set the record straight’ over a controversial interview.
Tower Hamlets vows to tackle 'two council' culture
Senior managers at Tower Hamlets LBC have vowed to tackle its ‘two council’ culture and encourage political representation among women amid sector concerns.
Dudley's sustainability 'in jeopardy'
Dudley MBC has set up an improvement board following stark warnings over its finances and governance.
Pressure for LGA peer review to be strengthened
Senior Local Government Association (LGA) figures are pushing the organisation to beef up its peer review offer to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Shining a light on relationships
As leaders tackle the challenge of cultivating collaborations across the public sector Dr Rachel Hawley and Professor Tony Wall offer some tips to deepen relationships at a time when stress is running high.