Humour
Keep it in the closet
There’s not been much to smile about in recent months.
Bah humbug!
Last year was tough and 2021 will no doubt still be a bit of a slog for councils recovering from COVID.
Pub-lic service
Many in lockdown have been missing being allowed to nip to the pub for a swift half.
Taking the tea
Diary appreciates it’s not been easy for councillors to get to grips with the new technology involved in holding meetings virtually.
Early days for motion
It was a heartfelt message of thanks to local authorities that went out from Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
Classic Matt
Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock took time out of his schedule last week to brief councillors and directors of public health.
All Hope not lost
The fittingly-named Danielle and Adam Hope are now husband and wife after Northumberland Council was able to bring forward their wedding by 11 days, with just 24 hours’ notice.
Soft play hardball
As local authorities take on tougher coronavirus enforcement powers, they should perhaps be prepared for residents who think they’re cleverer than the law.
The joke's on Clarke
For a few days at least, it was local government’s favourite joke.
The dark side of Clarke
Last week, the sector mourned the sudden departure of local government minister Simon Clarke.
Cardwell’s well chilled
Tongues have been wagging among ex-colleagues of Peter Cardwell after he announced he was writing a book on his three-and-a-half-year stint as a special adviser.
Trying to switch off
The majority of the sector is currently on its summer holidays after a strenuous few months.
No clowning around
As the UK continues to tentatively reopen, we’ve now reached those activities you would least expect to be able to operate in a COVID-secure way.
Doorbell diversion
Council chief executives can sometimes struggle to illustrate the practical implications of theoretical scenarios when talking about their jobs.
Council search for zombies
News that the walking dead will be descending upon the local area would normally lead the council to at least raise the alarm.
I have a joke but
Every now and again a social media phenomenon catches the mood and goes viral.
The stamp of the SpAd
Special advisers come and go with the ever-moving merry-go-round of ministers.
Language locked down
As George Orwell famously highlighted in his classic book 1984, language has the power in politics to mask the truth and mislead the public.
No messing
We’re all used to polite campaigns calling for an end to rubbish excuses for littering and encouraging people to responsibly dispose of their litter.
Lockdown locks
Lockdown has meant we’ve either had to rope members of our household into becoming impromptu hairdressers or suffered from the indignity of out-of-control locks.