Investment
Delicate decisions
Three myths are holding back Labour’s growth plans, but there are ways to increase investment without wrecking the balance sheet, says Cllr Graham Chapman.
We need to measure prevention spend
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy will seek to answer how much are we currently spending on prevention, says chief executive Rob Whiteman.
Council to announce chief after capacity criticism
East Devon DC is hoping to announce its new chief executive early next month after peers said senior level capacity was currently ‘limited’.
Ministers to make more changes to debt rules
Ministers are poised to impose immediate further changes to local government debt rules – including stricter in-year reporting of unpaid loan repayments due to town halls.
Smarter spend will get Britain building again
Stephen Muers says policymakers must ‘spend smarter’ to tackle the temporary housing crisis, and he proposes a solution to the funding gap.
We don’t need a Lyons’ 2.0
With the seminal 2007 Lyons Review in focus, Ben Franklin and Annabel Smith look at why place-shaping has captured the zeitgeist and argue local government does not need another review, and should instead 'get on and do it'.
Getting Britain building again
The Purposeful Finance Commission’s recommendation that businesses raise a target of £22.5m to help unblock urban infrastructure projects is an investment rather than a cost, says Tracy Blackwell.
Economic growth with local talent at the fore
With 22,000 civil service jobs moving out of London there are real opportunities for local authorities to work with the Government Property Agency to kickstart economic growth. Alan Whitelaw explains.
Teesworks inquiry finds no evidence of ‘corruption’
An inquiry into accusations of corruption relating to the Teesworks scheme has found no evidence of ‘illegality’ but ‘transparency’ concerns remain.
£2.9bn private investment in freeports says Gove
Michael Gove has said new freeports have attracted £2.9bn of investment and created 6,000 jobs since they were established in 2022.
Social care career reforms ‘only scratch the surface’
The Government today announced new measures to improve the career prospects of social care staff but concerns remain that this ‘may only scratch the surface’ of the workforce crisis.
Awakening of a sleeping giant
Ambition, opportunities and green technologies. South Derbyshire DC has huge potential and is working to unleash it. Ann McGauran reports.
Is this the end of innovation?
Is there a tendency among council members to play it safe and avoid risks? Norse Group and The MJ brought together chief executives and senior managers from across local government to ask if innovation is now a thing of the past for councils. Paul Marinko reports.
Telford’s tale of success
Deals galore and wise investment is breathing new life into ‘new town’ Telford, as Cllr Lee Carter explains.
West Yorkshire’s economic promise
West Yorkshire will host one of the Government’s investment zones. Andrew Vaux speaks to political and business leaders about what it means for the region.
Levelling up’s showbiz touch
Last week’s Chanel fashion spectacle in Manchester was a global triumph for the city, but addressing regional inequalities still remains a huge challenge for the next Government, says Michael Burton.
Local leaders need the tools to implement systemic solutions
Devolution of council tax and business rates, coupled with central Government infrastructure investment to underpin growth, would give local leaders the ability to genuinely invest in their cities’ futures, says Claire Kober.
NCASC: Social care 'doing a good job' getting investment
Those working in adult social care are ‘already doing a very good job at getting investment and commitments to reform’, according to government minister Helen Whately.
Autumn Statement: Level 4 devolution unveiled
More powers will be offered to areas with a level 3 devolution deal, the Government has announced as part of the Autumn Statement.
Greens push for divestment
There will be a greater push for divestment in the local government pension scheme (LGPS) after the Greens made a record 200 seat gains this year, a senior councillor has predicted.
