Emergency planning
Let’s deliver a long-term local resettlement system
Schemes to support refugees must exist around a core, standardised resettlement programme that has a multi-year commitment and specific targets and a variety of housing strategies, says Yvonne Kachikoti.
Dover to ‘review involvement’ with forum after days of chaos
Dover DC is ‘reviewing its involvement’ with Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) following days of traffic chaos.
Honouring the Ukrainian spirit
The events in Ukraine have provided a timely reminder of how important our democracy is and how much we can lose. And, as Dr Jonathan Carr-West explains, councils have a vital role to play both immediately and further beyond back on home territory.
Crisis planning in a time of change
We are now considering the impacts that the war in Ukraine may have on our local places, alongside the cost of living crisis, says Kersten England. It’s time for the Civil Contingencies Act to pivot its focus, she believes.
Creating critical mass for emergencies
As Integrated Care Systems gear up to take on new Civil Contingencies responsibilities, Ruth Tennant sets out four key points for them to reflect on, and examines the risks in the system.
Local government’s response to Russia’s war on Ukraine
Local government has a crucial role to play in how we as a nation stand by Ukrainians and resist a hybrid war being waged against us all, says Cormac Smith.
Ready for the future
Mike Adamson explains why it is time to refresh the Civil Contingencies Act, and strengthen the duty on local resilience forums to collaborate with the voluntary and community sector.
Major incidents declared over COVID
Local resilience forums covering Northamptonshire, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent made the announcement today as the spread of the Omicron variant led to rising demand for services and reduced staffing levels.
Councils offer the solution for crisis-hit Britain
Heather Jameson says that without a central Government solution, local government will carry on its firefighting 'but it can’t be at the expense of tackling some of the longer-term issues – and no issue is bigger right now than climate change'.
Ministers urged to ensure council staff have access to fuel
Ministers have been urged to introduce emergency measures to ensure local government workers continue to have access to petrol amid the UK’s fuel crisis.
Through turbulent times – let’s celebrate leadership
Penna is proud to sponsor the Senior Leadership Team category as part of The MJ’s annual Achievement Awards. Julie Towers reflects on the impressive calibre of senior leadership demonstrated by this year’s finalists.
Chief execs – a vital part of change
The strategic leadership role of council chief executives in wider health and care systems is often under-appreciated, says Paul Najsarek, but if the Government wants to deliver meaningful change then they will have a crucial role to play.
Combined authorities advised to ‘revisit’ devo deals
Combined authorities may need to ‘revisit’ devolution deals to help regions recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Islington’s core COVID support
The We are Islington helpline acts as a ‘one-stop shop’ for local people in need – and the same listening approach is now being used to get vaccinations to all residents, say Cllrs Una O’Halloran and Sue Lukes.
Successful leadership – top five emerging themes
Jes Ladva at Odgers Interim gives his assessment on the key leadership skills developing in local government for a bright post-pandemic future.
Why diversity matters in an emergency
Jehangir Malik of Emergencies Partnership explores the crucial role diverse communities played in the COVID-19 emergency response and why they must be at the heart of crisis management.
In emergencies, we need to plug the gaps in the social safety net
Discretionary cash support must be included in the toolbox for any major emergency response, says British Red Cross hardship fund programme manager Alex Ballard.
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.
Shielding scheme took too long to identify up to 800,000, says PAC
MPs have hit out at the Government’s ‘quickly drawn up’ COVID-19 shielding programme for taking too long to identify up to 800,000 people who may have missed out on help.
From recovery to social repair – the role of community in post-disaster recovery
In each community there are mechanisms, innovation and forms of support that must be listened to and engaged with directly if urgent and sustained recovery from COVID-19 is to be a success, says Emily Morrison.
