Improvement
Liverpool reform programme ‘at risk’
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has agreed to let commissioners at Liverpool City Council delay their latest report amid their warnings that plans to turn the council around are in the balance.
Nottingham expected to bring housing back under direct control after probes
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring its housing back under direct control after two independent probes found ‘underlying issues around governance and finance’.
Veolia to take action after complaints
Street cleaning and waste management giant Veolia has agreed to take action after three London boroughs complained about standards of service.
Council accepts peer review's call for change
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has accepted a peer review’s calls for change after it found the authority’s culture was ‘inward-looking’.
Gove pledges a 'waterfall of devolution'
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has claimed there will be a ‘waterfall of devolution’ as powers cascade down to local areas.
Taking the collaborative approach to success
New Peterborough City Council chief executive Matt Gladstone is endlessly positive about his job, despite having an intervention team and a history of financial difficulties. Heather Jameson reports.
Ministers accused of 'blind political prejudice' over Sandwell intervention
Former Labour minister John Spellar has dismissed as ‘blind political prejudice’ ministers’ decision to send commissioners into Sandwell MBC days after an upbeat peer review.
Lack of progress in Croydon's housing turnaround
Croydon LBC has been slammed by an independent report for lack of progress in dealing with problems in its housing department.
Slough commissioners sack chief for 'gross misconduct'
Slough Council’s commissioners have sacked chief executive Josie Wragg for ‘gross misconduct’ with immediate effect.
Slough given conditions for £300m bailout
Slough Council will only be considered for a £307m Government bailout to cover its deficits if it proves it can turn itself around financially, the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has warned.
Deadline laid down for councillors’ improvement
Members at Moray Council have been given a year to show ‘strong cohesive leadership’ by a local government watchdog.
Basildon told to develop narrative after years of uncertainty
Basildon BC needs to develop a ‘simple but strong and effective narrative’ for its area after four political changes in five years created uncertainty, a Local Government Association corporate peer challenge has urged.
Chief executive loses £4.9m tribunal claim
A council chief executive has lost an employment tribunal claim for £4.9m.
‘It shouldn’t be this hard’
As one district gets ready to create a new garden town, Heather Jameson hears how it took determination and political will to make it happen.
Manchester praised as 'first-rate' council
Manchester City Council is a ‘first-rate’ local authority, a peer review team has concluded.
EXCLUSIVE: Government has no action plan for improving children's social care
The Government has admitted it does not have a single detailed action plan to deliver high-quality care to all children despite previously claiming one existed.
Edinburgh to be hit by costs after damning reviews
Edinburgh City Council faces ‘significant ongoing costs’ to implement recommendations from independent investigations into the handling of historic child abuse allegations and poor councillor behaviour.
Leading with a purpose
Mark Rogers is the new chief executive of the Leadership Centre. He says it is perfectly placed to work on how to deal with new challenges for public services, places and people. Heather Jameson reports.
Trust for children's services at Star Hobson council
Bradford City Council’s children’s services will be transferred to a not-for-profit trust following the tragic death of Star Hobson.
Detailed improvement plan for North Kesteven
North Kesteven DC has proposed a detailed improvement plan – including sharing more senior management responsibilities - despite receiving a glowing peer review.
