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
Call for fresh powers from ombudsman
England’s local government ombudsman today demands wide-ranging new powers to investigate complaints across town halls, social care and education amid concern current regimes are outdated.
Dementia tops COVID for care home death cause
Coronavirus was the second highest cause of deaths among care home residents behind dementia last year, according to latest figures.
LGA concerns over devolution approach
Senior figures from the Local Government Association (LGA) have raised concerns about Westminster’s approach to devolution.
Commissioners sent in to struggling Slough
The Government has sent commissioners in to struggling Slough Council in a bid to turn around its failing finances.
Social care White Paper ‘set up to fail’
The local government sector has praised the ambition of the long-awaited adult social care reform White Paper, but warned it will not succeed without funding to meet current demand.
EXCLUSIVE: Districts in county deals warning
District council leaders have warned county deals will fail unless local government secretary Michael Gove gives them an equal role in devolution.
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Opinion
Instagram leads to investment in our cities
Urban leaders need to better understand their online brand, as cities with fewer mentions across social media and online news tend to attract less investment, says Cllr John Merry.
A commitment to civil debate
Cllr Arooj Shah has been the target of recent threats and harassment. Leaders from all parties in Oldham have now come together to add their signature to a ‘politics, not personalities’ pledge, she explains.
County lines and the blight on our young
The justice system is not providing the adequate protection required by vulnerable children who are being exploited by ‘county lines’ criminal gangs, says Julian Hayes.
Experience counts
Kathryn Reed at Tile Hill looks at how the ‘candidate experience’ will make your organisation stand out in the market for talent.
Rethinking support for young people
The Connected Futures Fund seeks to transform how young people are supported into work in places with higher levels of disadvantage. Anna Smee explains the aims of the multi-sector partnership approach.
Searching for council superstars
The Local Government Association’s prestigious annual competition putting the sector’s top talent to the test – The Local Government Challenge – is set to return in 2022. Michael Barrett and Virginia Ponton set the scene.
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Best Practice
Putting the people first in Breckland
Breckland DC’s new chief executive Maxine O’Mahony talks to Ann McGauran about how her HR background colours her priorities, and the council’s ‘grow your own’ approach to staff development.
Analysis
Halting a rise in hatred
What can be done to deter incidents of abuse and harassment of local politicians and to sanction those responsible? Ann McGauran reports.
Private sector
Levelling up – how to negotiate the challenges ahead
Local Partnerships will host a lunchtime webinar to look at how councils can get maximum leverage though schemes with private partners and deliver projects that can be the catalyst for further investment.
Councils' USP is their focus on employees as people
Sue Atkinson, Anne Sullivan and Sonia Tanda at Penna say it's time to talk about your council's diversity and inclusion strategy, physical and mental health initiatives and your organisational culture.
Why not put schools at the heart of place-wide net-zero Carbon transition?
EQUANS is working with schools, councils, and Multi-Academy Trusts to benchmark their current energy and carbon consumption and provide detailed ‘Roadmap Reports’ that demonstrate how they can decarbonise and save energy.
