LGA
Surge in costly care placements
The number of children’s care placements costing £10,000 or more per week has soared by more than 1,000%, a new survey has revealed.
Thousands of refugees face homelessness at Christmas, LGA warns
The Government’s push to clear the asylum backlog is putting ‘tens of thousands’ of refugees at risk of homelessness over Christmas, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Council reprimanded after suffering Cyber attack
Gloucester City Council has pledged lessons will be learnt following a reprimand from a data watchdog over a Cyber attack.
Fulfilling a crucial role for children
As directors of children’s services prepare to attend the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Ann McGauran assesses the challenges and rewards of this important role
Sector unites in plea to chancellor
The local government sector in England has put out a call to Jeremy Hunt to ‘address the significant financial challenges faced by councils’.
Curating a good council and government system
Ed Hammond says Oflog has the potential to make Government's actions and interventions more predictable and evidence-based.
Elevating ambitions through co-production
Chief executive officer at IMPOWER Sean Hanson looks forward to the National Children and Adult Services Conference. As gold sponsor, IMPOWER will focus on elevating ambitions and developing effective co-production for better outcomes.
Peer reviews: The heat is on
Is corporate peer review a robust enough way to predict the risks of a future section 114 or is it just one improvement tool in a system of assurance? Dan Peters examines the evidence.
Councils set out Autumn Statement priorities
The Government is facing calls to provide emergency funding for children’s social care in this week’s Autumn Statement.
It's not just about money
While the LGA is calling for additional funding and multi-year financial settlements, councils also need to see existing funding devolved locally alongside new powers to join up different pots and projects, says Cllr Shaun Davies.
Thinking big and delivering locally
Chippenham Town Council may be a parish council, but is structured as and acts like a district or borough council – and that was always the plan, says Mark Smith.
King's Speech: Government to consult on Martyn’s Law
The Government is to launch a consultation on fresh anti-terror measures.
Organisational leadership: a constantly evolving challenge
With the financial need for many organisations to have streamlined senior teams – in spite of increased demand-led pressures – Dawn Faulkner highlights the importance of maintaining long-term investment in talent without losing strong leaders.
Let there be fireworks on funding
As we look towards this month’s Autumn Statement, it is clear the sector needs it and the settlement to respond to local government's challenges, says Tracy Bingham.
Sweet success
Politicians are generally not particularly popular, with polls regularly laying bare the scale of disillusionment in politics.
'Devolution hopes rest on combined authorities'
Combined authorities represent the greatest hope for devolution in England, according to a new report based on interviews with 95 former ministers and Whitehall mandarins.
The trouble with Oflog
Council senior officers are broadly united in their view that Oflog will not provide warning of local authority failure or improve performance. But what do five experts from the sector think about the Government’s new assurance watchdog?
Oflog fails to satisfy sector
As council chiefs gather in Birmingham, a survey of Solace members provides virtual unanimity that the Government’s Oflog plans will fail to improve performance and reduce financial dangers. Paul Marinko assesses the findings.
Lifelong learning for chief executives
This week Solace and the Local Government Association are launching the prototype of a new professional development offer to support chief executives through the complex challenges they face. Barry Quirk explains.
Missing in action
It’s the season for tales of spooks and spectres, and returning from the dead.
