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News
Government crackdown on capital spending
Councils face fresh restraints on capital spending under Government plans to lessen borrowing risks.
Centre has 'poor understanding' of what works on local growth, says NAO expert
A large proportion of government spending is ‘not robustly evaluated’ and there is poor understanding by the centre about which approaches to local economic growth work best, says an expert from the National Audit Office.
Future Forum: Sector must take lead on diversity
Councils should ‘think outside the box’ when recruiting to senior positions, The MJ’s Future Forum has heard.
Government can abandon or change levelling up missions
The Government is leaving open the possibility of abandoning or changing the White Paper's levelling up missions, and can delay reporting on them until after the general election.
Social landlord faces wide-ranging probe
The UK’s largest social landlord faces a wide-ranging investigation into its handling of residents’ complaints after a watchdog reported ‘severe maladministration’ in a high-profile case.
Council leaders urge GPs to prescribe leisure centre trips
Council leaders have urged GPs to prescribe obese patients classes at leisure centres after research found it could increase life expectancy by four years.
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Opinion
Boring not bad
Sir Bob Neill says this wasn’t a Queen’s Speech packed with surprises, ‘but if dull means getting the job done, let’s welcome the dull’.
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
The ‘people’s choice’ for health and care leadership
Andrew Laird says local authorities are the driving force for the levelling up agenda through co-production with local communities, and there are many reasons why council leaders are perfect for the role of leading in health and care ‘places’.
The Government must go all-in on digital democracy
Piers Mulroney says the Government must heed the warning of the local elections and commit to increasing trust and transparency, connecting with voters again through digital democracy.
The deep wounds of moral injury
Nick Cole looks at the importance of being alert to ‘moral injury’ and its impact upon workforce wellbeing and retention.
A new way to finance councils’ net zero
There are clear advantages for councils in using community municipal investments as a financing approach to help deliver net zero targets, as John Connor explains.
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Best Practice
Fostering a foundation for the future
As Foster Care Fortnight begins, Miranda Gittos explains how Hertfordshire CC’s pioneering and successful Mockingbird Programme is providing a life-changing support system.
Analysis
Squaring the circle
Newly installed Association of Directors of Adult Social Services president Sarah McClinton tells Ann McGauran how she plans to ensure care workers receive the funding they require to do their best.
Private sector
Internet Explorer 11 retirement – what does it mean for you?
Dougie Belmore, Chief Payments Officer of Pay.UK, looks at the risks that might arise when Microsoft retires Internet Explorer 11 next month
Firm exits council talks at 11th hour
Talks over a new IT contract to replace current arrangements between Gloucester City Council and Civica were at an ‘advanced’ stage, with details agreed in principle until the firm abruptly pulled out.
Ensuring everyone has a voice in creating the future of work
Employees are looking for organisations that show emotional intelligence, encourage open communication and foster a culture of trust, says Fiyin Fayeye of Penna.
