Digital
Child protection to be ‘reset’
Child protection will not return to the pre-pandemic norm, a top Department for Education official has pledged.
Local elections 2021: The process demands too much of teams
Ian Miller ponders the impact of Super Thursday on the mental health of electoral teams, and says the demands are excessive, even in a ‘normal’ election.
Will Zoom speed up reform?
As the Government plans a new round of public sector reform Michael Burton considers the impact of the Zoom revolution.
The case for virtual meetings
Jackie Weaver – star of Handforth Parish Council’s viral meeting – argues the case for stepping out of the dark ages and allowing councils to hold their meetings online.
Preventing young offenders signing up for a life sentence
Steve Ainsworth explores alternative ways to engage young people and help them turn their back on crime.
Looking at EHC plans in a post-COVID world
Natalie Kenneison argues that to understand the impact of COVID and whether enough money is available for high needs, quantitative information is required to show what is working and what is not.
Returning officers warned over cyber threat to elections
Returning officers are being warned of the potential risk of cyber-attacks disrupting elections as large swathes of the country head to the polls on super Thursday.
Redcar receives £3.7m Government bailout
The Government has agreed to pay Redcar and Cleveland BC £3.7m in ‘exceptional financial support’ following last year’s ransomware attack.
Providing citizens with a better digital service through an alliance
High Peak and Staffordshire Moorlands alliance’s digital transformation solution has put the councils ahead of the game when it came to delivering all of their services online during the pandemic, says Karen Lomas.
Owning the local message
It’s time to get back to the basics of good communication and make these skills more accessible to local communities, says Cormac Smith. He outlines the core communication disciplines every organisation needs to master.
Open source is the way forward for open democracy
For local councils, open source has the potential to enable innovations and optimise the way they work, says Lora Botev of CitizenLab.
Sparking a digital revolution in the Thames Estuary
Catalysing best-in-class digital infrastructure in the Thames Estuary is key to providing benefits for local residents, workers and visitors, says Kate Willard.
Legal battle or virtual meetings fast-tracked to meet May deadline
The legal battle to allow virtual meetings to continue after 6 May has taken a step forward after a hearing agreed to fast-track proceedings.
Pushing for influence on the national stage
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant, about the outlook for local communities and economies two years on from the birth of the new unitary.
Sunderland’s big, bold, brave plan
Sunderland City Council is spearheading the vision for a new urban quarter that includes 1,000 homes, offices and a public sector hub – creating jobs and re-energising the city centre, says Patrick Melia.
Taking the opportunity to digitally ‘level up’
Glen Ocsko says councils should take a digital-first approach to maximise the benefits of the Towns Fund.
Counties scale up to the challenges
Counties’ ability to blend both a central and local focus means they should be further empowered to lead on transforming local economies after the pandemic, argues Cllr Barry Lewis.
Stoke-on-Trent is the litmus test for levelling up
Connectivity, growth and productivity are the three words at the heart of the priorities running through the new city prospectus for Stoke-on-Trent, says Cllr Abi Brown.
Bright future for Britain’s Jurassic Coast
Dorset Council is leading a consortium of local, national and international partners delivering the £7m 5G RuralDorset project. Matt Prosser explains why the new unitary authority is involved, and outlines the potential benefits.
Greater Manchester’s healthy case for digital innovation
COVID-19 is accelerating digital health and social care innovation in Greater Manchester, including work to understand the support needed by Troubled Families, and to help care homes track cases of the virus, says Lou Cordwell.
