Local economies
The politics of the ‘Red Wall’ is coming home to roost
There is nothing local or ‘place-sensitive’ in measures packaged in Whitehall and forced on to communities in the North, argues Arianna Giovannini.
Tiers of trouble
More than half of England’s population is now living under high or very high-alert postcode COVID-19 restrictions. Ann McGauran asks if the new measures are sufficient, and looks at their impact on centre-local relations.
Greater Manchester will move into Tier 3 as talks collapse
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Greater Manchester will head into Tier 3 restrictions on Friday after talks with local leaders broke up without a deal.
Greater Manchester's mayor will not 'roll over' on COVID cash
Greater Manchester’s standoff with government on moving to new tier three COVID-19 restrictions continues today, with mayor Andy Burham saying he will not ‘roll over’ at the sight of a cheque.
Swathes of England to move to tighter restrictions
Barrow-in Furness, York, north-east Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield will move into tier two restrictions from Saturday with London, Essex and Elmbridge.
Why metro mayors are so popular with Government
For places dealing with the pressures of a widespread outbreak and the increased economic and social costs of tighter lockdown, the additional uncertainty of precarious finances is a concern too far, says Heather Jameson.
The power of small things
Elinor Ostrom was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in economics. Simon Kaye argues that her ‘criminally neglected’ work could be a ‘call-to-action for a new type of society that prioritises local democracy and autonomous communities’.
An online lifeline for Watford's high street
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor has announced a new partnership pilot that will see Watford become the UK’s first-ever WhatsApp High Street.
LEPs promise £100bn return on investment
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) can secure a return on investment of £100bn in additional economic benefit, the Government has been told.
Digging deep for change
The pandemic has not resulted in the big changes required to protect health and drive widespread transformation, says Neil McInroy.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Ridiculous constraints' mar high street fund
Councils may be left out of pocket after spending thousands of pounds on safety measures they cannot claim back from an economic recovery fund, it has emerged.
Rebooting our sector
Solace’s week of virtual learning Reflect.Reset.Re-imagine has begun. Here, three Solace spokespeople set the scene by looking at the profound impact of COVID-19 on the sector and local communities, and what lies ahead.
Where next for high streets and city centres?
The Towns Fund selection process was controversial, but high streets and city centres face a bigger existential crisis. Ann McGauran reports.
Making it local – real reform over reorganisation
By putting reform ahead of re-organisation in Somerset, the districts have developed a case for change that’s distinct to place-based context and local priorities, say Georgina Cox and Alex Parmley
Councils key to levelling up agenda, says report
Local government must have adequate funding to level-up deprived English towns, according to new research.
Keeping tourism going in the face of the unknowns
Sheila Oxtoby outlines the challenge of 'encouraging businesses to remain positive and continue to work on a programme of extending the tourism season when there are so many unknowns that lie ahead'.
Engage some of the pandemic's casualties in a more locally-based recovery
The upcoming comprehensive spending review represents a great opportunity for ministers to show they mean business by putting in place adequate resources for councils, says Paul O'Brien.
10pm curfew 'probably doing more harm than good,' says mayor
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says his ‘gut feeling’ is that the 10pm curfew for pubs and hospitality venues is 'probably doing more harm than good’.
Towns Fund selection ‘warps economy’
Controversy over the selection process for the Towns Fund has led a campaign group to call for an end to ‘first past the post politics’.
Five ways to be ahead of the curve
Ruth Morgan and Sean Anstee put forward five recommendations to consider when putting together proposals for local government reform. ‘Let’s grab the opportunity to secure lasting change for our communities’, they add.
