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
Redcar receives £3.7m Government bailout
The Government has agreed to pay Redcar and Cleveland BC £3.7m in ‘exceptional financial support’ following last year’s ransomware attack.
Councils pay tribute to Prince Philip
Councils across the country have paid tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, after his death was announced today.
Returning officers warned over cyber threat to elections
Returning officers are being warned of the potential risk of cyber-attacks disrupting elections as large swathes of the country head to the polls on super Thursday.
SEND funding boost of £280m announced
Councils will receive £280m to create new school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
West Berkshire in search for new chief executive
Recruitment has begun this week to appoint a successor to Nick Carter.
Public back more city devolution
More than eight in ten people support more devolution to England’s largest cities, a new poll has revealed.
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Opinion
Strengthening solidarity for recovery
Strengthening trust and social connection will be vital for the rebuild and recovery programme, says Jo Broadwood. She looks at what can be learned from local areas that have fared better on this throughout the crisis.
Meet the new breed of sustainable bonds
UK local authorities are well placed to access the capital markets through Envrionmental, Social and Governance bonds, and the range of projects they can fund is vast, says Christian Wall.
Our organisational culture needs to match staffs' expectations
People have reflected on what they want from work, how and where they want to work and how this fits into their lives, says chief executive of Stroud DC Kathy O'Leary.
The NHS is sacrosanct – local government not so much
Ben Page says the public is becoming more positive about the future and about both the NHS and Government’s ability to deal with whatever comes next. 'And local government has generally performed strongly in dealing with massive dislocation'.
Now's not the time to be shy
With a Spending Review later this year, local government finance leads should be 'making our case and evidencing what our resources deliver', says Adele Taylor.
How do we empower and support councillors?
With Super Thursday looming on May 6, Paul O'Brien argues that a radical system reset may be needed; one that supports the role of councillors, values their role and is able to attract people from all walks of life.
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Best Practice
Forging a top team in the middle of a crisis
Recruited during the pandemic, St Helens MBC’s new senior management have only physically met once. But they have created a high performing top team that’s now working hard on reset and recovery. Kath O’Dwyer highlights what has been achieved so far [..]
Analysis
The risks of Sunak’s freeports
The freeports policy is poised to be a main plank of the levelling up agenda. But there are concerns they could become hotspots for organised crime and money laundering – risks that could lead to significant extra burdens for councils. Paul Marinko [..]
Private sector
Risks with council-owned companies
A clear, systematic framework is needed that underpins arrangements for overseeing and engaging with their companies to ensure councils’ interests are safeguarded, says chief executive of Local Partnerships Sean Hanson.
Plymouth to create council-owned care company
Plymouth City Council will create its own care company after a number of providers warned they could not provide services at short notice.
It’s time to rethink assessment
It is really important to weigh up the cost of assessment against the value it brings, says head of assessment at Penna Ann Hartley.
