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 branded a 'disgrace' over pay delay
Council employers have been branded a ‘disgrace’ after they said they would not respond to a union pay claim until after the May 6 elections.
Councils defend 'misunderstood' commercial investments
The Government’s clampdown on commercial investments has come under fire from councils.
Councils' loans legal action fails
Councils are considering whether to appeal after a High Court judge threw out a bid to sue Barclays over a number of loans.
MPs call for review of local authority flood funding
The Government needs a better understanding on whether funding allocated to local authorities to prevent flooding is matching local risks, MPs have warned today.
Familiar face to take reins at Redbridge
Lesley Seary is to return to Redbridge LBC to serve as its interim chief executive following the departure of Andy Donald.
Rough sleeping stats: 'We're still a long way from zero'
The number of people sleeping rough in England was up by more than half on 2010 despite the Everyone In scheme, the latest annual snapshot has shown.
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Opinion
Stoke-on-Trent is the litmus test for levelling up
Connectivity, growth and productivity are the three words at the heart of the priorities running through the new city prospectus for Stoke-on-Trent, says Cllr Abi Brown.
The move to home working poses huge problems
The trend to more working from home looks set to continue post COVID, says Ben Page. 'But it poses huge problems for anyone invested in commercial property or city centres – which includes many local authorities.'
Working together in perfect harmony
Teams are a blend of personalities and attributes that work together in harmony, 'so don’t assume you won’t fit if you have slightly different skills and experience', says Adele Taylor.
How can we make recruitment more truly inclusive?
Tracy Walters looks at ways recruiters can recognise and address unconscious bias, engage with a diverse range of talents and tap into a bigger pool of candidates.
Tackling the big four vaccine challenges
Tackling inequity in vaccination uptake depends on resolving what Jim McManus calls the big four challenges – and councils’ role is crucial.
Whatever happened to Devo 3.0?
Devolution is here to stay ‘no matter if the Government’s preferred phrase is now place and if they want to talk in terms of levelling up not rebalancing’, says Steve Barwick of DevoConnect.
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Best Practice
Surge testing - Winning hearts and minds in Walsall
Community engagement and reassurance was the overarching approach to Walsall MBC’s rapid roll-out of surge testing, says Stephen Gunther.
Analysis
Reset and rebuild: delivering better connected services
At a recent webinar organised by The MJ and BT, three speakers gave a national, local and provider perspective on the Government's £5bn gigabit speed connectivity revolution. Michael Burton reports.
Private sector
Business leader calls for appeals talks to restart
Halting discussions on business rates appeals between the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and ratepayers is ‘outrageous’, one of the negotiators has claimed.
Social media and programmatic are a real force for change
There are plenty of reasons why social media channels continue to play an important part in how employers share career opportunities and engage talent, says Penna's Tristan Moakes.
Alchemy – leadership in the pandemic age?
During the pandemic leadership has been tested across every sector in so many different ways, says Dr Andrew Larner. Now iESE is looking at how it can learn from new models of leadership and share best practice
