Emergency planning
COVID-19: Is Government really led by the science?
Jason Lowther argues that building in practical knowledge from councils and emergency planners could help avoid recommendations that prove impossible to implement effectively.
The transformative power of collaboration in a crisis
Bickering, arguments and tribalism were swept away when the COVID-19 emergency struck Essex, with partners galvanised by a common purpose, writes Gavin Jones.
Road to disaster?
With a huge proportion of income vanishing almost overnight, there is the very real possibility that every council in Yorkshire will have to issue s114 notices, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Ministers under pressure over school opening
Ministers are under increasing pressure to rethink its plans to open schools on 1 June after more councils highlighted safety concerns.
EXCLUSIVE: No-deal Brexit planning would 'overwhelm' emergency response
Planning for a no-deal Brexit at the end of this year would ‘overwhelm’ the country’s emergency response capacity, the Government has been warned in a leaked report.
There is an opportunity to dump the centralist approach
Tackling the coronavirus crisis has been held back by a ‘central government know best’ approach, says Heather Jameson.
Districts are agile, responsive and efficient in the face of adversity
District councils have been working hard, along with public sector colleagues, to ensure the national response to the current emergency is having the desired effect of saving lives and protecting our communities, says Lawrence Conway.
A ‘trusted national database of volunteers’ can support councils during COVID-19
RVS has provided a radical way to mobilise a volunteer army to help councils and the NHS provide support during the pandemic using the GoodSAM app. Rebecca Kennelly talks to Ann McGauran.
Local authorities can help make mutual aid a positive legacy of COVID-19
John Copps argues that local authorities should encourage and promote the sustainability of mutual aid groups as part of their recovery strategy.
Paying the price for Government’s mixed messages
In a 'killer blow' Jenrick has issued his caveat, says Heather Jameson. The Government will only pay for the ‘specific tasks’ it has handed down in relation to COVID-19. 'This is not just penny pinching, it is playing with people’s lives', she adds.
Putting local resilience under the spotlight
Views are mixed on how local resilience forums have performed during the COVID-19 emergency. Have austerity, Brexit planning and central Government’s original command and control approach taken their toll? Dan Peters reports.
Making use of force majeure
Tiffany Cloynes considers force majeure provisions in contracts, but points out that they may not always be the most attractive options available to councils trying to ensure continuity of important services.
Creating success from a crisis
When we are all heads down and dealing with the current coronavirus crisis, how do we make sure we learn from it and harness what really matters? Benjamin Taylor offers some ideas.
The show must go on
Tony Kirkham says that without the full backing of Government, and the surety that the money needed for the pandemic emergency will be there, 'then we will have to realign our decisions and actions within the financial restraints'.
Councils vs coronavirus: the future starts now
Councils are on the front line in the fight against coronavirus, says Tom Davies – and he outlines four ‘quite different but plausible’ scenarios to help them plan for uncertainty.
PPE supplies to 'run out within days'
Dwindling supplies of vital life-saving personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline care workers will run out within days, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned today.
A united unitary
Buckinghamshire Council leader Cllr Martin Tett talks about the successes of launching the country’s newest unitary council while tackling COVID-19 full-on.
Solving the biggest challenge of our times
Liz Watts explains how she and South Cambridgeshire DC have responded rapidly to the COVID-19 crisis – ensuring staff can continue to do their ‘best- ever work’.
Shaping the future after the pandemic
John Tizard argues that during this emergency the sector has stepped up – and the COVID-19 crisis must be a catalyst for ‘a renaissance in local government’.
Councils are at the forefront of the national coronavirus response
Local government minister Simon Clarke commends the sector’s positive response to the pandemic and outlines Government measures to aid local authorities financially.
