APSE
‘Access all areas’
Jonathan Swain and Rebecca Rampat from executive recruitment specialists McLean Public highlight what local government can do to ensure it attracts commercial sector talent in a changing recruitment market.
Investment in neighbourhood services could be a crucial vote winner
'As we limp towards another General Election, we have yet to hear any comprehensive plans from across the political spectrum on how they would address the crisis in funding for neighbourhood services,' says Mo Baines.
Warnings over job cuts repercussions
Councils embarking on mass job cuts have been warned it will have grave repercussions for the senior managers of the future.
The first cuts are the deepest
Sector experts talk to Martin Ford about the effects of job cuts on councils’ resilience, the impact of austerity on the number of leadership positions and the downsides of super-directorates.
Hollowed out local government sets off a downward spiral
'It is time to move the debate on from platitudes and tinkering with year-to-year budgets to the wholesale reform of the financial powers available to local government', says Mo Baines.
Councillor-officer relations coming under pressure
Relations between councillors and officers are being tested by the increasing financial pressures faced by local authorities, a new report has found.
Councils moved through crisis with warmth and grace
Local government’s regulatory decision-making framework may often be perceived by those outside of its service as cumbersome, but look at the alternative, says Mo Baines.
It is time for local government to call out unworkable pseudo-market systems
Writing on the RAAC debacle, Mo Baines says not so long ago the public estate was managed by local public servants with local knowledge, but there is now 'a dizzying number of providers'.
Offering a toolkit for levelling up
A new report from APSE offers some stark findings on levelling up - and some solutions, says Mo Baines
Evidence on the need to re-set the system continues to pile up
This is the core of the centre’s problem: its lack of understanding of the huge untapped potential that could be unleashed if the local level was properly empowered and resourced, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Is it time for insourcing by default?
Is it time for a new era of public service value? Mo Baines looks at the value of insourcing and service integration.
Officers' skills will be tested post-elections
Mo Baines says 'as most horse-trading nears to an end, in those councils left with no overall control – and new administrations commencing in those with clear-cut results – the skills of chief and senior officers will be put to the test'.
Retention – a top priority for the sector
Commercial director of Commercial Services Group Steve Wilson looks at the capacity issues facing the local government workforce, and says focusing on personal wellbeing and resilience – as well as promoting creative thinking – is the key to retaining key staff.
Oflog is likely to keep meeting serious opposition
The fear within the Oflog proposals is that this will become just another box-ticking exercise - or worse a return to using data as the stick with which to beat councils, says Mo Baines.
Give councils the core role in local public accounts committees
If the aims of the Public Procurement Bill are to become a reality, isn't it time to give local councils a genuine role in holding all local public service providers to account, asks Mo Baines.
Can Rishi be a ‘zero hero’?
The upcoming Autumn Statement will give new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a golden chance to sow the seeds for a strong future green economy, as Mo Baines explains
Putting parks at the heart of our places
When the going got tough during the pandemic, local parks and green spaces were seen as the jewel in the crown of local services. Now is the time to make a case for investment in parks and leisure services, says Paul O'Brien
Inflation may drive increased insourcing
Councils may be propelled to bring services back in-house to escape contracts tied to inflation amid Bank of England predictions it will peak at 11%.
Leadership candidates both pledge to protect green belt
The final two candidates in the Conservative Party leadership’s race have pledged to either review or abolish housing targets and protect the green belt.
'Perfect storm' warning over supply chain pressures
Supply chain pressures are mounting up on local government, with place directors warning of a ‘perfect storm’.