Communities
Driving positive outcomes must be top of metro mayors' agenda
Improving outcomes for communities is at the heart of successful devolution and metro mayors must put in place a plan to achieve this from day one, says Kerry Scott.
Government ignores sugar levy calls
The Government has ignored Local Government Association (LGA) calls for the sugar levy to be spent by councils to tackle physical inactivity.
Connecting health to cohesion
The evidence showing the importance of social cohesion to health, and the damage loneliness causes to mental health, is compelling. Ann McGauran reports.
The quest for community harmony
A Government-commissioned review has spelt out the difficulties councils face when trying to protect social cohesion. Martin Ford reports.
Embracing innovation in leadership recruitment
Ben Parsonage offers some practical strategies for identifying leaders who can help promote innovation and creativity across your organisation.
Observations on Japan’s strong local leader model
Reflecting on his Japanese Study Tour, Sam Cunningham says it is imperative to seek inspiration and insights beyond borders amid the challenges facing councils.
Learning from tragedy
Debbie Jones looks at the lessons emerging from an independent review focused on the children found guilty of the deaths of three young people in Croydon.
Councils 'struggling' to tackle cohesion threats
Councils are struggling to tackle threats to social cohesion due to a lack of support from central government, according to a major review.
Supporting communities together
Genuine collaboration between housing associations and councils can help them meet their combined ambitions for communities and neighbourhoods, says Felicity Hunt.
Choice of a new generation
Now is a pivotal moment for councils to start developing strategies to engage with Generation Z, and in doing so start to rethink the future of local government, says Victoria Evans.
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.
Local government can drive an inclusive transition to net zero
Emily Morrison calls for a place-based approach to net zero transition, saying national policy is failing to support the UK’s poorest households towards a carbon-neutral future.
New funding: A helping hand for care leavers
The Care Leavers’ Programme provides a backbone of support for young adults and the benefits will trickle back into our neighbourhoods, says Cllr Richard Kemp CBE.
BCP breaks the glass ceiling
Writing for International Women’s Day, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s leader Cllr Vikki Slade says it’s time to celebrate progress on female representation within the local authority.
Reducing infant mortality in Sheffield
No one element made the difference when it came to reducing Sheffield’s disproportionately high infant mortality rates, says Greg Fell – instead a 20-year commitment reaped incredible rewards.
Government's asset sale plan: Short-term fix or long-term disaster?
Selling council assets may provide a quick fix of cash, but cuts off future revenue supplies and worsens budget deficits, warns Thomas Howard.
Saving assets through community ownership
Polling for Power to Change shows if councils are forced to sell their assets the public strongly favour them being sold to community organisations and locally-run businesses, says Josh Westerling.
Is EV charging the new rural amenity?
EV charging is part of the solution to sustain thriving, dynamic rural communities, according to Zest.
Radical place leadership
Donna Hall says radical place leadership is about much more than a place-based pooled budget, and now is the time for a radical rebel alliance.
Core Cities in Household Support Fund warning
Failing to extend the Household Support Fund will be ‘catastrophic for many people in our poorest communities,’ Core Cities has warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
