Future Forum
Government to bailout more councils over SEND
The Government is in talks to expand its programme of bailing out under-pressure councils to wipe out their special educational needs (SEND) deficits.
Cost of living crisis loomed large at The MJ Forum
Heather Jameson says it was clear from The MJ Future Forum that the sector is facing a massive agenda. 'But what is perhaps more of a surprise is how little the Queen’s Speech addressed the main issues and captured the zeitgeist of the forum.
Future Forum: ICSs provide chance for culture change
Integrated Care Systems (ICS) must not be ‘driven by structure,’ The MJ’s Future Forum heard today.
Future Forum: Go hyper-local to avoid 'grim' future
The Government needs to provide county deals quickly and councils need to simultaneously ‘go hyper-local’ to avoid a ‘grim’ future, according to the vice-chair of the Association of County Chief Executives (ACCE).
Future Forum: Funding gap could grow by up to £2bn
The funding gap facing the sector could grow by up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, the deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Future Forum: Sector must take lead on diversity
Councils should ‘think outside the box’ when recruiting to senior positions, The MJ’s Future Forum has heard.
Future Forum: No end in sight for funding pots
Two local government finance experts have predicted Whitehall will continue doling out cash through competitive pots.
Future Forum: Call for relational public services
A relational approach can help councils connect with communities and improve services, according to a new report.
Future Forum: Planning a biodiversity ‘shambles’
The planning system has been branded a 'shambles’ regarding biodiversity.
Future Forum: Need to reduce rising child care numbers
The local government sector needs to bring down the increasing numbers of children in care, the immediate past president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services has said.
Future Forum: Government must do more to help those on lowest incomes
The Government has failed to do enough for those on the lowest incomes, a top economist has told The MJ’s Future Forum event.
The frenzy of policy must not lead to fragmented reforms
The MJ's first in-person Future Forum North since the pandemic focused attention on the endless list of issues facing local government that is starting to make a mockery of the word 'priority', says Heather Jameson.
Future Forum North: local government still lacks a plan for delivering sustainability
Local government still lacks both a plan for delivering sustainability and a way of measuring the impact of investment, says a Northern council director.
Future Forum North: Link is ‘very likely’ between leaders’ attributes and levelling up success
A link is ‘very likely’ between key behavioural attributes of local government leaders and their success in pursuing the levelling up agenda, says an executive search expert.
Future Forum North: hopes fading for funding reform
Doubts have been cast on the prospects for an overhaul of council funding by Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive Mark Lloyd.
Future Forum North: Investment in skills ‘comes without guarantees’
Investment in improving skills and qualifications ‘comes without guarantees’ that workers will stay local rather than move away once qualified, a council chief told Future Forum North.
Future Forum North: Government must take ‘a much more strategic view’ on funding
Central government needs to adopt a ‘much more strategic’ approach to funding local areas that places less reliance on bids for small pots of cash, says a council chief.
Future Forum North: authorities should prepare for big switch-off
Councils must ensure they are prepared for the looming switch-off of copper-based landlines, the Future Forum North has heard.
Future Forum North: City chief calls for fiscal freedom
More financial freedom should be devolved to cities to fully realise the ambition of levelling them up, Manchester City Council chief executive Joanne Roney has said.
A unique moment in time
At The MJ’s recent Future Forum, BT outlined the immense opportunities digital and online services are currently offering councils – and the chance for true innovation must be taken.