The MJ - your free ebook
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we want to do all we can to support you, so we will provide The MJ as an enhanced ebook here every Thursday, completely free, for the duration of the crisis.
News
Employers offer 1.5% 'paltry' pay rise
Councils are facing a £279m increase to the national pay bill after offering 1.5m employees a 1.5% increase for 2021-22.
EXCLUSIVE: High needs spending could 'bankrupt councils'
A senior finance director has warned that spending on high needs threatens to ‘bankrupt councils’ as local authorities queue up for a bail out.
Grenfell inquiry hears of dire warnings before fire
Kensington and Chelsea LBC was warned of the dire consequences of a fire at Grenfell Tower years before the blaze that left 72 people dead.
Council cuts top jobs to close funding gap
Two of Wyre Forest DC’s most senior officers are facing redundancy following a cost-cutting management review.
Council ‘outraged’ by Unite decision to continue bin strike
Thurrock BC has said it is ‘outraged’ workers in its waste and recycling department have decided to continue to strike.
Lack of social care plans could ‘destabilise’ reforms
Local authority leaders have warned that the absence of a long-term, fully funded plan for social care could destabilise other health and care reforms.
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Opinion
Tackle high needs before it is too late
Lorna Baxter says the statutory override in place until March 2023, which allows for a negative high needs reserve is 'not even a sticking plaster - frankly, it’s bonkers. The money has been spent'.
We must give better support to COVID's young carers
The pandemic has led to more children and young people taking on new caring roles, and they need to be identified and offered assessment for support. Charlotte Ramsden explains.
Devolved potential in Cornwall is under threat from central Government inertia
Sarah Longlands says that unlike the ‘hero’ style approach of the mayors elsewhere, Cornish devolution has been characterised by collaborative leadership. But lack of Government action is putting devolved potential at risk, she believes.
The keys to ensuring good mental health
Toni Hall of Penna looks at the importance of looking after your mental health as an interim, and provides some tips for those needing support.
Can the CMA make us see our market folly?
Kathy Evans outlines why the CMA’s investigation into the private provision of placements for looked-after children may ‘bring decisive insight to our care market folly’.
Innovating for a fairer start
Early years and education is one of Nesta’s three focus areas for the next decade. Tom Symons outlines how they are partnering with three councils for trial discovery projects to improve school readiness levels.
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Best Practice
Building back differently
Andrea George says a cohesive vision for reviving high streets and town centres calls for long-term public-private partnership and engaging with the community to shape detailed, tailored masterplans.
Analysis
A level of uncertainty
A Levelling up White Paper will emerge later this year, to replace the long-promised legislative proposals for local recovery and devolution. What does this augur for the role of local government? Martin Ford reports.
Private sector
How technology can help transform person-centred care
The MJ Advertorial: Mark Kennion, Head of Public Sector at HAS Technology looks at how to put technology at the heart of service delivery for social care
Boards of the future will be more diverse
Diversity, in all forms, including cognitive diversity, is informing every conversation on the make-up of boards and executive teams, says director, executive recruitment at Penna Enterprise Charles Wilson.
Infrastructure services unit sale completes
M Group Services has completed the acquisition of Skanska UK’s infrastructure services operation.
