Intervention
Moving in to pick up the pieces
Gavin Jones talks to Heather Jameson about the work that goes into sorting out the aftermath of a s114 notice.
Job cuts 'inevitable' at Brum
Birmingham City Council is poised to reveal a worse-than-expected financial position as it embarks on a savings drive and ‘inevitable’ job cuts, The MJ has learned.
Spectre of s114 looms over Nottingham
Nottingham City Council has edged closer to issuing a section 114 notice after revealing it still faces a significant in-year deficit despite tightening its purse strings.
South Cambs issued Best Value notice over four-day week
The Government has issued a Best Value notice to South Cambridgeshire DC following 'concerns' about its trial of a four-day working week.
Autumn Statement: why we need real reform
As the Autumn Statement draws closer, Simon Christian says only complete fiscal reform will unlock the revenue funding needed for core public services, but the debate cannot stop at financial changes alone.
The sector faces a perfect storm
An overhaul of the improvement and intervention system is long overdue and must urgently take place, says Claire Kober.
Healey: Government 'right to intervene'
Government was right to intervene in failing authorities, a senior civil servant has insisted.
Jones warns of s114 impact
The lead commissioner for Thurrock and Slough councils has warned fellow chief executives of the ‘devastating’ impact of issuing a section 114 notice.
Birmingham 'actively exploring' action against s151
Birmingham City Council is ‘actively exploring’ possible action against its former director of council management Becky Hellard for her role in the collapse of the council.
Guildford leader survives confidence vote
Guildford BC’s leader has survived a vote of no confidence over the authority’s finances.
A response that’s a dose of sanity
Adele Taylor offers the inside track on the fluid response that has made great strides in stabilising Slough Council’s finances following a section 114 notice
What can councils expect from intervention?
With a unique perspective on intervention, Jess Crowe offers up some advice for councils faced with commissioners.
The road to recovery
As we see more local authorities going into intervention, Heather Jameson talks to Rotherham MBC leader Chris Read and chief executive Sharon Kemp about what it is like to work with commissioners – and come out the other side.
Threat to councils' planning powers lifted
Nine councils have avoided being stripped of their planning decision-making powers after drastically improving their performance figures.
Birmingham commissioners revealed
The team tasked with turning round Birmingham City Council has been announced – including a former Labour minister and a serving council chief.
Jones named as Thurrock lead commissioner
Essex CC chief executive Gavin Jones has been named lead commissioner at troubled Thurrock Council.
The ‘golden triangle’ provides governance oversight and grip
Instilling a robust governance culture is essential to local governance leadership, and improvement and assurance will be a crucial topic under discussion at the Solace Summit in Birmingham this month, says Kath O’Dwyer.
Mad Max meets Columbo
Max Caller, the man leading Whitehall’s huge intervention at Birmingham City Council, promised himself he would retire from public life this year.
A call for Caller: but where is the next gen?
Heather Jameson asks is there no one on the new commissioners’ list considered good enough to rescue Birmingham?
Resources are needed to keep councils away from the precipice
It is becoming more clear a further injection of resources will be needed to stop more councils going over the edge – even those that are well managed, says Simon Edwards.
