Coronavirus
MPs urge new approach to local lockdowns
Lockdowns of individual towns have been advocated by MPs in a row over the response to the coronavirus crisis in Greater Manchester.
Preston chief bids to prevent lockdown
Preston City Council’s chief executive has urged residents to take extra safety precautions in a bid to avoid a formal lockdown of the area.
Learning through crisis
The motto for the borough of Watford is ‘to go boldly’, and it has been tested this year as never before, says Donna Nolan
Don’t short-change our children now
Kath O’Dwyer says getting a long-term sustainable funding settlement for local government as a whole – not just for children’s services – is crucial if we are to overcome the worst impacts of the crisis
Don't lose localism in the race for reorganisation
The game of political football played out in Yorkshire devolution now includes reorganisation. But we must not be allowed to loose the localism, says Paul Shevlin
Battle for the top job
As the Liberal Democrats vote for their next leader, in this exclusive interview, Heather Jameson spoke to the two leadership candidates about what local government means to them
Helping city centres thrive post-COVID
Concern for our high streets has been exacerbated by the pandemic - but this time it is big cities that are suffering more, says Andrew Carter. If we care about city centres, its down to transport authorities can help
Unleash freedoms, not fears
As local lockdowns become more common, Claire Fox warns against the use of draconian measures – keeping everyone working from home may not be the best option
Council leader calls for financial help
Kirklees MBC’s leader has called for a ‘comprehensive package of financial assistance’ for workers and businesses after the Government increased the coronavirus isolation period.
Leisure outsourcer asks staff to take 'career break'
A major leisure services provider has come under fire for asking workers to take ‘unpaid career breaks’.
CCN steps back from backing 'radical' shake-up
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) will hold back from calling for historic boundaries to determine the entire local government map in the coming reorganisation shake-up, The MJ understands.
Extra £50m funding for Scottish social care
Social care in Scotland will be given a £50m funding boost to help meet the cost of the coronavirus crisis.
A place-based approach to economic recovery
According to the latest analysis commissioned on behalf of the County Councils Network, counties are the most vulnerable councils to the economic impact of COVID-19. Paul Dossett argues they should be at the forefront of government plans to level up
Government has ‘neglected’ care homes - report
Government action to support care homes during the coronavirus pandemic was too little, too late, a report has found.
Council chief hails policy change
The chief executive of the council working to contain coronavirus within a vegetable farm in Herefordshire has hailed a national change of policy.
Government to cover LRF expenditure
Funding will finally be provided to stretched local resilience forums (LRF) after they pleaded for cash.
London leaders hit out at PM's failure to engage
The Mayor of London and leader of London Councils have written to the Prime Minister protesting that COVID contingency plans for the capital have been drawn up without them.
Local government was poorly prepared for pandemic, report finds
A decade of spending cuts, staff shortages and poor contacts with Whitehall meant local government was poorly prepared to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, a report from the Institute for Government think-tank has said.
Charting a course through tricky waters
Without significant extra funding, many councils and their partners will struggle during COVID-19 recovery to manage the increased demand on services for supporting children and families, says Donna Molloy.
Local authorities and local lockdown
Tiffany Cloynes and Clare Hardy examine the new local lockdown regulations and outline the crucial issues councils need to address in order to use their powers effectively.
