Coronavirus
Councils granted powers over public events
Local authorities are preparing for public events to resume with powers to impose restrictions or issue bans on public health grounds.
Fears over public health 'fragmentation'
The Government’s overhaul of public health has raised fears of a ‘fragmentation’ of the system among councils.
Talk to the hand
Local government people, have you ever been in a lockdown online meeting and wanted to give someone a simple hand signal to express how you’re feeling? Diary assumes this is the case, and would therefore like to share the findings of a helpful new study by UCL researchers.
Forging a top team in the middle of a crisis
Recruited during the pandemic, St Helens MBC’s new senior management have only physically met once. But they have created a high performing top team that’s now working hard on reset and recovery. Kath O’Dwyer highlights what has been achieved so far.
Strengthening solidarity for recovery
Strengthening trust and social connection will be vital for the rebuild and recovery programme, says Jo Broadwood. She looks at what can be learned from local areas that have fared better on this throughout the crisis.
Bucket list for fixing council finances
Co-designing a truly sustainable finance system for councils for the long-term ‘won’t be quick and it won’t be easy’, says Martin Reeves. A few more years of ‘make do and mend’ will not work for our communities and economies, he adds.
Our organisational culture needs to match staffs' expectations
People have reflected on what they want from work, how and where they want to work and how this fits into their lives, says chief executive of Stroud DC Kathy O'Leary.
Build back beautiful
A new report puts forward a hyper-local approach to overcoming the housing crisis, with councils the recipients of the tax levied on the uplift of developments. The proposals should be taken seriously, says Sir Bob Neill.
The NHS is sacrosanct – local government not so much
Ben Page says the public is becoming more positive about the future and about both the NHS and Government’s ability to deal with whatever comes next. 'And local government has generally performed strongly in dealing with massive dislocation'.
Jenrick backs legal challenge over virtual meetings
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has backed a legal challenge to allow councils to carry on with virtual meetings.
The potential of new social value measures is huge
The impact of the UK Government’s new social value measures should not be underestimated, as they prioritise what’s important, according to David Dinsdale.
COVID passports have ‘significant implications’ for councils
Local authority leaders have called on the Government to work closely with councils on the COVID-19 status certification proposals because of the impact they will have on local enforcement and other areas.
Public health director highlights local rise in COVID cases
A director of public health has highlighted a local rise in cases of COVID-19 as modelling finds the country is ‘highly likely’ to be hit by a third wave of infections once lockdown ends.
Our residents are real self-isolation heroes – and leading our county’s recovery
Hertfordshire’s recent Self-Isolation Support Day showed a very high proportion of residents clearly trying to do the right thing, helped by community organisations, says Professor Jim McManus.
What next for placemaking? A checklist for local leadership teams
A new paper lays out an agenda for local economic renewal post COVID and Brexit, along with seven practical steps for leadership teams to consider, says David Marlow.
Councils taking ‘too long’ to pay support grants to businesses
The Government has written to the leaders of 314 councils in England urging them to pay out grants money to businesses more quickly.
HMJ: Place-based working is here to stay
Ewan King considers whether the Health and Care White Paper will really be the key to unleashing greater integration and collaboration between local government and the NHS.
MPs call for government to 're-commit' to Everyone In
Councils ‘can and should’ provide accommodation for all homeless people, a report by MPs has concluded.
Government’s face off is virtual insanity
Central Government has ruled out extending the power to have virtual council meetings beyond the 7 May deadline. There are suggestions some councils could revolt, says Heather Jameson – 'forcing local democracy to stay firmly in the 21st century'.
‘Everyone needs a coach’
Dawar Hashmi discusses the importance of coaching, regardless of what level you work at, and how it is now time to collectively implement elements of coaching into your organisation’s daily routine.
