Council staff
Who wouldn’t want to be a DCS?
As directors of children’s services gather at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Philip Emms and Jane Parfrement reflect on the achievements of the aspirant DCS programme
Mayor failed to intervene following bullying
Details have emerged of a bullying probe at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority that found mayor Nik Johnson breached the organisation’s code of conduct.
Autumn Statement: Living Wage hike places council budgets under pressure
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed the biggest-ever hike in the UK minimum wage – but the move places strained council finances under fresh pressure.
Moving from social value to community wealth building
Steve Wilson looks at how adopting a new community wealth model can provide opportunities to put your local communities at the forefront of your recruitment strategy.
Shining a light on relationships
As leaders tackle the challenge of cultivating collaborations across the public sector Dr Rachel Hawley and Professor Tony Wall offer some tips to deepen relationships at a time when stress is running high.
Why prioritising EDI is business-critical
If we want the benefits of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) it has to be worked on as a priority and be baked into the DNA of our culture, says Gordon McFarlane.
Warning of polling day disruption to services
Frontline council services could be disrupted during elections as staff are drafted in to run polling stations and conduct counts, chief executives have warned.
Don’t get trapped by cutting your training
Council services need to change with the times and investing in training is the only way to compete for the best and brightest people to improve your borough, writes Cllr Rowan Ree.
Flying the flag for local government work
Local government is an amazing place to work, says Tracie Langley. 'We do some brilliant things with complicated financial modelling, which will stretch the grey cells of any budding accountant to infinity and beyond.'
Councils at ‘significant legal risk’ over issues facing monitoring officers
A report has called for the creation of a professional body for monitoring officers and a review of council structures to ensure their position within the ‘top tier of governance’.
Menopause in the workplace
Starfish Search’s Lorraine Payne and Sunita Patel look at the importance of breaking down the stigma around menopause for a more inclusive and empathetic workplace.
Call for curbs on agency staff
Curbs on social care agencies have been put forward as solutions to Bradford Council’s soaring staffing costs.
Organisational leadership: a constantly evolving challenge
With the financial need for many organisations to have streamlined senior teams – in spite of increased demand-led pressures – Dawn Faulkner highlights the importance of maintaining long-term investment in talent without losing strong leaders.
Shaping the post-pandemic workforce
The Society of Personnel and Development Scotland (SPDS), which represents HR professionals across most of Scotland’s 32 councils, meets this week for its annual conference in St Andrews. Outgoing president Jane Fowler and incoming president Elaine Barrie outline the workforce challenges.
Upskill before it’s too late
Decisive action is needed to improve local government recruitment and retention, says Peter Cudlip.
Government crackdown on four-day week
The Government is exploring measures to ‘ensure the sector is clear’ four-day weeks should not be pursued.
The modern recruiter: part coach, part athlete
Katrina Whitby says recruitment is a team sport – and it’s time we take a serious look at the evolving skills and strategies necessary to attract and retain future talent.
A Faer Point
Martin Tucker looks at how a chief executive can approach dealing with 'a conflict seemingly beyond their remit or power to resolve, but which could have a devastating effect on their organisation' - and protect their resilience.
Not for turning on the four-day week
Leader of South Cambridgeshire DC Cllr Bridget Smith sets out why the council is not backtracking on its trial of a four-day week in the face of Government opposition.
The only path out of our recruitment and retention crisis is investment in people
Graeme McDonald says the sector's investment in people has a way to travel to get back to the levels those now in leadership roles considered the norm when they began their careers.
