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News
EXCLUSIVE: Councils told to budget more for pay
Councils are busy reviewing their budgets after hearing more funding will be needed for higher-than-anticipated pay rises, The MJ understands.
Integration Joint Boards face ‘uncertain future’
The boards all face ‘significant financial sustainability issues, according to a report by the Accounts Commission.
Blow to hopes for independent levelling up body
An amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill would have established a body to scrutinise progress against the Government's missions.
Ministers warned of ‘car crash’ in care recruitment
Ministers have been warned of an impending ‘car crash’ in care recruitment due to the numbers of extra staff needed to handle care package changes.
Government seeking solution to homeless refugees
Refugees minister Lord Harrington hopes to place homeless Ukrainian families with sponsors, a committee of MPs has heard.
Sunak: No plans for longer finance settlements
The Treasury has no plans to give further fiscal stability to local government beyond the two-year finance settlement announced by Michael Gove.
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Opinion
Rampant inflation will impact poorest most
Chair of SIGOMA Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton says that unless emergency support is provided to councils in this financial year, local authorities face a chilling return to austerity.
Avoiding the edge
As the sector gathers this week for the LGA conference, Dr Jonathan Carr-West says it’s time to speak with a united voice on devolution and levelling up, and to focus on generating value and how we manage financial risk.
Shining a light on the opportunities offered by ICSs
Ahead of ICSs moving to a statutory footing tomorrow, Phil Hope and Steve Barwick set out 12 emerging recommendations from the Health Devolution Commission across four key policy areas.
Targeting future opportunities
LGA conference plenary speaker Ben Page looks at the challenges and opportunities for councils in the post-pandemic 2020s, including more diverse communities and the need for massive structural change in planning.
Unlocking public services’ potential
Our public services should be the envy of the private sector, and it is up to us to unleash our own radical innovation, says Dominic Campbell.
Coventry’s anti-abuse campaign is for the long run
Coventry City Council launched a new campaign this year to tackle intimidation of its staff following a rise in cases. Leader Cllr George Duggins explains why getting the message out is so necessary.
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Best Practice
Kickstarting new ways to recruit
The success of the Kickstart scheme at Buckinghamshire Council shows it has been a worthwhile investment in time and money, says Cllr John Chilver.
Analysis
The case for civility
Former leader of the LGA Labour group Nick Forbes talks to Heather Jameson about his experience of homophobic online abuse, his ‘political ambush’ local deselection and rediscovering the simple pleasures in life.
Private sector
Penna hails Warkwickshire CC chief on MJ Award
Monica Fogarty of Warwickshire CC received the Chief Executive of the Year accolade at the MJ Achievement Awards. Penna's Dawar Hashmi says she has had a phenomenal year.
Veolia to sell Suez UK waste business
French-owned waste management firm Veolia has proposed selling Suez’s UK waste business after regulators warned of the risks of a merger.
Travers to join consultancy
Lambeth LBC chief executive Andrew Travers will move to Inner Circle Consulting (ICC) after five years at the London borough.