Emergency planning
Birmingham leader demands clarity on coronavirus failures
The leader of Birmingham City Council has written to the Government seeking urgent clarity on plans to deliver food to vulnerable residents amid the coronavirus crisis.
‘Things will probably not be the same again’
John Henderson’s top-level military background is proving crucial to Staffordshire CC as it refocuses on responding to COVID-19, and he tells Ann McGauran the council is ‘being bent out of shape’ to ensure it delivers.
A nine-point guide to COVID-19 crisis communications
Communications has often been seen as a luxury, says Richard Stokoe – but this time it is ‘at the centre of quashing the spread of COVID-19, protecting the health and social care sector and saving lives’.
We need to be ready to cope with the next shock
When the opportunity to reflect comes, Ian Miller feels the conclusion may be reached that the UK was not well prepared for COVID-19.
We will do everything we can to save lives
The national COVID-19 emergency is seeing the very best of our councils and our workforces and we have a ‘unique and vital role to play’, says Martin Swales.
The work of local government has become ‘even more urgent’
The coronavirus pandemic is highlighting ‘the very best of councils and our workforces’, according to president of Solace UK Martin Swales.
Former Solace chief takes crisis pay cut
Former Solace president Jo Miller has taken a 10% pay cut as her council launched a range of measures to support local people and businesses amid the coronavirus crisis.
The benefits of digital aid
Charles Skinner argues any proven off-the-shelf system that can join up many players during incident and emergencies under a digital umbrella must be worth serious consideration.
We will see the very best of local councils
During the COVID-19 pandemic, counties are ‘doing what they have done in an understated way for so long – keeping the show running for their communities’, says Simon Edwards.
Ten days that changed everything
Ian Fytche says delaying and suppressing the spread of the virus, protecting vulnerable people and maintaining essential local services are the three simple objectives guiding everything North Kesteven DC does.
Councils need a breathing space
Councils’ priorities are now focused on fighting coronavirus, says Ian Miller – and this urgently requires a Government-wide approach suspending policy and legislative initiatives for at least three months.
Often the answers lie within the communities we serve
These are early days for COVID-19 and there is much more to do, says Ian Thomas as he outlines how the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames swung into action.
Who can you trust?
The cost of politicising expertise and crying wolf for years is that sooner or later a real wolf emerges, argues Claire Fox.
Local government shines at the heart of a crisis
Local government is at the heart of the coronavirus crisis, says Heather Jameson. Despite a decade of cuts, councils still step up, and while the nation focuses on pressures on the NHS, the efforts of care workers will be every bit as vital.
Jenrick urges councils not to delay on coronavirus spending
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick this week urged council leaders not to put off decisions because of money in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
A tough balancing act for councils
Managing and mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on local communities poses a huge challenge for councils, but it’s one they’ve been planning for. Naomi Larsson reports.
Keep calm and collaborate
Dr Jeanelle de Grucy says the next few weeks will be difficult – but collaboration and openness are our greatest assets in tackling the coronavirus.
Ministers consider 'additional body storage capacity' amid coronavirus outbreak
The Government has drawn up plans to provide nearly 200 buildings with a combined capacity for about 15,000 bodies as the spread of coronavirus intensifies.
Government warned of coronavirus impact on council resources
Council officers are working ‘round-the-clock’ in the battle against the spread of COVID-19.
Government activates emergency Bellwin scheme for storm-hit areas
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has today activated the emergency Bellwin scheme for areas in the North of England affected by storm Ciara.