LGA
The key to a sustainable workforce
At a time when candidates are in high demand and often can call the shots, a well-defined employer value proposition that contains a robust learning and development programme is the key to boosting retention – as Mark Bearn explains.
Telling social care’s story
As adult social care directors gather in Bedfordshire this week for the ADASS Spring Seminar the association’s new president Melanie Williams sets out her plans for the year ahead.
On the road to improvement
Northumberland Council’s peer review, following a hard-hitting review of governance, shows the local authority has come a very long way in a short time, says Helen Paterson.
Help councils unlock their true power
With LGA plans for a local government White Paper gathering pace, Lord Bichard reiterates the importance of councils being afforded a genuine partnership with central government – something he feels the next government must establish as a matter of priority.
The will to win in Wilts
Wiltshire Council was the setting for the latest round of the Local Government Challenge, which focused on ways to support residents through the cost of living crisis. Viola Owembabazi reports.
‘Access all areas’
Jonathan Swain and Rebecca Rampat from executive recruitment specialists McLean Public highlight what local government can do to ensure it attracts commercial sector talent in a changing recruitment market.
Deployment of AI technologies must be guided by a robust framework
The local government sector knows the best ways to serve local communities and is best placed to integrate new technology to deliver wider benefits, says Cllr Shaun Davies.
Complex funding stymies net-zero push
A ‘complex web’ of hard-to-reach Whitehall funding pots is hampering councils’ net-zero initiatives – with two-thirds of town halls not confident of hitting crucial targets.
Future Forum: Resource warning over assurance demands
The Local Government Association (LGA) warned the Government that ‘assurance takes resource’ at The MJ’s Future Forum.
A first step in tackling abuse
As the Government finally moves to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, councils are warning a complete programme of action is needed to significantly reduce the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. Mark Conrad reports.
Homes for Ukraine two years on: Safe and welcomed
Two years on from the instigation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme councils remain keen to work with government to meet the long-term needs of Ukrainians, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Northumberland has ‘further to go’
Northumberland CC has ‘further to go’ despite progress on its improvement journey, a report has found.
New funding: A helping hand for care leavers
The Care Leavers’ Programme provides a backbone of support for young adults and the benefits will trickle back into our neighbourhoods, says Cllr Richard Kemp CBE.
Woking and Thurrock failures 'embarrassing'
The local government watchdog’s chief executive has said the collapse of councils such as Woking and Thurrock should not have been allowed to happen.
Local investment can reap national rewards
Sir Bob Neill feels the Budget was an opportunity to provide financial aid for councils, which in turn will help the Government deliver national policies – but has the chancellor taken the chance?
Selling the family silver is a mistake
The Government is Incentivising councils to sell off publicly-owned assets, 'but these flexibilities should not become business as usual and they are not a sufficient substitute for a reform of our broken funding system', warns Rob Whiteman.
Saving assets through community ownership
Polling for Power to Change shows if councils are forced to sell their assets the public strongly favour them being sold to community organisations and locally-run businesses, says Josh Westerling.
What the Budget will mean for councils
David Phillips says a focus on tax cuts in the upcoming Budget does not mean councils will go completely unmentioned – but what happens in the next Spending Review will be more important.
Budget: Expect plenty of smoke and mirrors politics
The sector should expect more tax cutting smoke and mirror solutions at this year’s Budget, says Zoë Billingham. She warns: ‘There’ll be no hiding from the fact that taxes will be rising very clearly locally.’
Right to Buy scheme is in need of urgent reform
The Government should use the Spring Budget to set out key reforms to the outdated Right to Buy scheme to ensure it works for everyone, argues Cllr Darren Rodwell.
