Innovation
New Inclusive Growth Network to drive local economic recovery
Launched today, the Inclusive Growth Network will showcase the successes of local leaders in delivering a better, bolder vision for people and places across the UK, says Charlotte Alldritt.
How to drive a green recovery
Ahmed Goga explains the levers that local and central government policymakers can deploy to drive a green recovery through local enterprise.
Is COVID-19 the turning point for commissioning?
The coronavirus crisis has tested care to the limit, but it could serve as a turning point for commissioning, writes Ewan King.
Birmingham improvement model could be used elsewhere
An improvement model that has helped turn around Birmingham City Council could be rolled out to other struggling local authorities.
COVID-19 has driven home the huge importance of locality
Cllr John Fuller says the pace of innovation in solving final mile problems has shown that 'local governance is much more than the analysis of numbers and spreadsheets - locality is key.
Rethinking council buildings for the future
In the wake of COVID-19, the question needs to be asked whether councils require the amount of office space that their employees currently use, says Femi Oresanya.
Exclusive: Government will support councils with ‘modernising’ shift to digital
Local government minister Simon Clarke says £800,000 for eleven projects that use technology to help people through the pandemic will support councils with the ‘major modernising shift’ to digital.
Bold, fast-paced action needed to support the nation’s wellbeing
Lead for innovation in mental health at the Innovation Unit Nick Webb says public health leaders and their partners need to do three things to build community resilience in response to the pandemic - and fast.
Luton forced into unavoidable cuts
Luton BC’s boss has said the council has done all it can but has no other choice than to cut 365 jobs and frontline services.
We have an opportunity to radically reinvent ourselves
Our new coronavirus-shaped world has changed beyond recognition, says Gill Kneller - and If we’re going to thrive, recovery will be key, 'but we simultaneously need to reinvent ourselves'.
Towns and cities as a testbed for innovation
Tom Bridges and Siri Arntzen explain how testbeds can be successfully used to experiment our way towards the high streets of the future.
Clapping leaves gulls flapping
Clapping for carers every Thursday night is important n’all that but Worcester City Council has found it brings another bonus.
A catalyst for change?
The coronavirus crisis is speeding up the shift towards new people-centred operating models that were already being adopted by progressive councils, writes Codrina Cretu.
Using data to respond to COVID-19
Tom Symons and Juan Mateos-Garcia of Nesta examine how local government can make use of data to support its own response to the COVID-19 emergency, and see three significant areas where data can be useful.
Expanding the approach to public engagement
There are many ways to make it easier to forge public consensus on the difficult decisions needed for the long-term, says Laurie Smith. Here, he outlines three ‘participatory futures’ case studies from across the globe.
Predicting the workplace of 2021 (and beyond)
In a lively session at The MJ’s recent Future Forum North event in Manchester Dr Nicola Millard, principal innovation partner at BT, looked ahead at tomorrow’s workplace. Here she outlines the seven ‘Ds’ shaping the future of work
Chief executive criticised by cross-party working group
One of Norfolk’s longest serving chief executives should have had a stronger hold over a project to build an innovation centre, a cross-party working group has found.
Creating ethical places to do business: a City Region perspective
Professor Adam Tickell of Greater Brighton says it is only by working together as academics, government and business leaders that we can start to make sure that the economy delivers wealth for society as well as for shareholders.
Ensuring our places’ success
The Sustainable Growth Index rankings reflect a dominant focus on economic growth over the past 20 years, says Rob Turner. He provides a checklist for ensuring strong economic performance goes hand-in-hand with broader measures of success.
Council chief executive or chief anthropologist?
Professor Donna Hall asks: Why not be a true anthropologist leader in search of the essence of what makes humans human?
