The MJ - your free ebook
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News
'Thousands' at risk as EU settlement deadline looms
Birmingham City Council has urged the Government to extend the deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme as thousands of people in the city are thought to remain undocumented.
Council prosecutes firm over jams
Thames Water has been prosecuted by a London borough after creating what the council said were unnecessary traffic jams three times in less than a fortnight.
Planning reforms would 'silence communities'
MPs have launched a scathing attack on the Government’s planning White Paper.
Call for council powers on short-term lets
Oxford City Council has pressed the Government for new laws around Airbnb-style short-term lets.
Election officials voice concerns over voter ID
The Association of Electoral Administrators has said burdens must be fully funded by the Government and sufficient time given to prepare.
London Councils acting chief to leave
Acting chief executive at London Councils, Dick Sorabji, has announced he will be leaving in search of new challenges.
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Opinion
Model routes to democracy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says Sheffield voters' decision to reject the strong leader model was a 'victory for democracy'. But Henri Murison rejects the case for committee decision-making while Cllr Tony Page argues for a hybrid approach.
How to retain an inclusive workforce
Actions speak louder than words, says Anj Popat, and while having an inclusive recruitment process may help attract a more diverse workforce, without the right culture it does not guarantee retaining that talent.
Why digital inclusion isn’t IT’s problem
Capita outline five ways to make digital inclusion a reality.
We must stop the Treasury tail wagging the Government dog
Graeme McDonald senses 'much of Whitehall has a greater understanding of our challenges than for many years, but is handcuffed by the inflexible, rigid approach imposed by a shortsighted Exchequer'.
Where did it all go wrong on audit?
Lorna Baxter says we need to be able to show taxpayers how we have spent their money and that provided by Government. 'But do our residents need to understand the fair value of financial instruments and what category they are?'
Protecting our borough’s future
Planning guidance may sound technical and uninspiring, but using it to protect the environment and historic buildings is anything but, says Cllr Johnny Thalassites.
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Best Practice
Transforming Glasgow into a world-class smart city
Cllr Angus Millar explains how a new single-supplier contract for a full fibre network marks a huge step forward in delivering significant benefits to Glasgow – giving the council cutting-edge technological capability.
Analysis
A step in the right direction
In the wake of Kent CC’s move to encourage a fairer share of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children among other councils, Ann McGauran talks to key figures about what needs to be done and whether the voluntary national transfer scheme can help in its [..]
Private sector
Capacity support for councils’ housing delivery teams
To help meet the Government’s ambition of creating 300,000 homes a year by 2024, Local Partnerships is encouraging authorities to take advantage of Homes England’s Local Government Capacity Centre (LGCC), says Judith Atkinson.
Are you missing out on the re-sale revolution?
Finlo Corrin of Liquidity Services looks at why online marketplaces deliver higher returns from surplus assets.
Can local authorities still drive town and city centre regeneration?
Incentives such as the Levelling Up funding, combined with the long-term risk of falling business rates means that the potential, and need, for bold change cannot be ignored, says Jonathan Allen of Browne Jacobson.
