Sam Clayden
Reach out and Tweet
Social media has become pervasive in our daily lives, but for the most part council chief executives and senior managers have remained relatively shy. Sam Clayden speaks to some of local government’s biggest Twitter users to see how they are using the platform to their advantage.
Riordan calls for social media abuse clampdown
One of local government’s most active Twitter users has urged social media sites to act to eradicate abuse aimed at public figures.
Call for business rates to be scrapped
Business rates should be scrapped and local authorities should be handed a swathe of new powers to revitalise struggling town centres, a major new review has urged.
Breathing life into the high streets
Sam Clayden looks at two new reports urging a full re-purposing of the British high street in response to the chaos caused by changing lifestyles and technological advances.
NHS crisis for its 70th
Two major reports this month said it would not be possible to maintain current levels of health and care service provision without passing the burden on to residents through increased taxes. Sam Clayden reports.
MPs are increasingly interested in local government issues
The influential Public Accounts Committee has been busy investigating the major issues facing local government. Sam Clayden examines its latest report on the adult social care workforce and Dan Peters hears evidence presented to the committee on the sustainability of local authorities.
A fresh start for Salford
Salford has seen a wave of regeneration in the past 30 years. Sam Clayden speaks to the council’s chief executive about its journey.
Building blocks for change
Sam Clayden talks to Leeds City Council’s Richard Lewis about the strides being made within housebuilding and regeneration in a rapidly evolving city.
The sector’s latest health check
Sam Clayden looks at the interim findings of Lord Darzi's health and care review.
Winning the UK regeneration game
There has been a resurgence of urban regeneration in the UK, in part thanks to unique partnerships between the councils and private sector developers. Sam Clayden reports on a Morgan Sindall sponsored panel event, chaired by The MJ, at this year’s MIPIM conference
A tale of two referendums
Local government is desperate to be the source of fresh ideas for government in a post-Brexit world. Sam Clayden reports
Councils continue to pay men more than women
Council gender pay gaps vary wildly across the sector, with the average council paying women 5% less than men, according to the latest data.
Holyrood debates scrapping council tax
The Scottish Green Party has demanded an end to the ‘out of date, archaic, regressive’ council tax.
Seven steps to social care improvement
The social care green paper announcement has reinforced the work that needs to be done to make the system work. Sam Clayden explains.
Andy Street: Championing the West Midlands
Mayor Andy Street believes the West Midlands is experiencing an economic revival, but if all communities are going to share in that success, he needs more support from the Government. Sam Clayden reports.
Report demands new accountability powers for local government
Academics have demanded a raft of tools to enable local government to hold to account the ‘chaotic network’ of agencies involved in providing public services.
Operation sanctuary: lessons to be learned
A serious case review into sexual exploitation in Newcastle has revealed a raft of learning for public bodies, national government and society. Sam Clayden speaks to the reports’ author and the agencies involved.
Javid confirms Dorset reorganisation plans
The Government has given the green light to ‘historic’ reorganisation plans in Dorset.
'A lot' of councils failing to look for widespread sexual exploitation
Local authorities are not looking hard enough – or simply not willing – to uncover widespread systematic sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults, the author of an independent report has warned.
Government to appoint commissioner to failing Bucks
The Government has announced plans to send a commissioner to Buckinghamshire CC to turn around the authority’s long-failing children’s services.
