News
Council leaders blast Government over ‘sugar levy’
Council leaders have urged the Government to stick to its pledge to reinvest money raised from the soft drinks industry into anti-obesity initiatives.
Scottish strikes loom as councils prepare improved offer
Local government strikes loom in Scotland as councils attempt to put together an improved pay offer.
Fury at short notice of asylum targets
Home Office chiefs were this week accused of dumping responsibility for strict new asylum targets onto councils while mandarins head for their summer breaks.
IFS: National Care Service could exacerbate service quality differences
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned Scotland’s planned National Care Service ‘could exacerbate rather than reduce differences in service quality’ across the country.
Call for new PM to boost role of LEPs
The incoming Conservative Prime Minister must better support small businesses through Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) if the UK is to ride the forthcoming recession, leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have been warned.
Inflation to wipe out 40% of public spending growth
Higher inflation is to wipe out 40% of the planned growth in public sector funding over the next three years leading to a £44bn shortfall, according to a study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).
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Opinion
We need commitment over funding reform timetables
Tracy Bingham hopes the two-year funding settlement will still happen - 'but we need to know what comes after'. Councils need to be able to plan their finances over a timeframe of at least five years, she believes.
How to solve homelessness
Without new homes, initiatives to tackle homelessness are not going to stem the tide, says Dave Smith.
Town centres: balancing flexibility with long-term and meaningful change
The impact of the Scottish Government’s second review of the Permitted Development Order introduces significant flexibility, but is not without risks, says Rory Alexander.
Telling a more powerful story about health
The Health Foundation has released a new toolkit to help people explain the wider determinants of health. Louise Marshall shares five top tips for those working and communicating in public health.
How to be sure when you procure
David Bemrose highlights the key aspects of the Crown Commercial Service’s new Contract Management Pioneer Programme to boost contract management capability across the public sector.
A delicate balance: asylum and community cohesion
Accommodating asylum-seekers has become a new local government capacity challenge as a recession looms, writes Heather Jameson. 'But in addition to the short-term challenges of accommodation, there are longer-term issues of community cohesion.'
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Best Practice
Picturing a Local Plan for Elmbridge
A Local Plan has the potential to present the vision for an area, says Catherine Malloy. She stresses the importance of telling a people-focused story without any acronyms or legalese.
Analysis
The heat is on
Professor Jim McManus sets out the tasks ahead for directors of public health in response to changes in the climate, adding we must do all we can to achieve net zero by 2050.
Private sector
Veolia to sell waste business amid competition fears
Suez’s UK waste business is to be sold by parent company Veolia, following concerns raised by local authorities.
Think about potential rather than experience
Strategy director at Penna Tristam Noakes says record levels of vacancies mean employers need to find, attract and develop people who might not necessarily be fully matched to the jobs on offer.
London council votes to end mass outsourcing by 2026
Barnet LBC has voted to end its 10-year outsourcing contract with Capita, bringing services back in-house by 2026.