Local economies
Don't allow this strange summer lull to dilute our focus
There will come a time when a new administration will need a new domestic policy agenda, says John O'Brien. We have to make sure we continue to show how councils should be a vital part of that future, he adds.
Driving towards the diversity goal
Women must make up half of all Local Enterprise Partnership boards by 2023. Christine Gaskell says 'we are getting there, but more work needs to be done at pace'.
Unitaries are the best way to strengthen local government's economic role, says Lord Kerslake
The former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake has come down firmly in favour of unitaries as the best model for a strengthened economic role for local government.
Think-tank finds austerity holding back Northern Powerhouse
Increased devolution is needed to ensure the success of the agenda, the IPPR North think-tank has argued.
‘We need to evolve our model of the economy’
Mike Emmerich says if housing, transport and education all ‘pile on pressure for success’ in some wealthy and well-connected areas and leave others behind, then ‘we really are facing a national policy failure’
What can local authorities learn from the local industrial strategies signed so far?
Last week Manchester Combined Authority backed by local public and private sector leaders agreed England’s second local industrial strategy (LIS). Adam Cunnington says local government is central to this process
'We've broken the social contract with people'
Former Society of Local Authority Chief Executives president Jo Miller is leaving her chief executive role at Doncaster MBC to take up a new local government post in New Zealand. She talks to Heather Jameson about her legacy.
£250bn and more devolution needed to tackle oncoming crisis
The Government needs to invest £250bn and commit to devolution if it is to tackle the jobs, housing and environmental pressures on the horizon, a group chaired by local government stalwart Lord Kerslake has argued.
Let's get serious about decent pay
If we are serious about building a resilient northern economy then we need to start with the people who live and work here, says Sarah Longlands
The people with the plan
Barking and Dagenham LBC is now three years into a change programme that puts people at its heart. Heather Jameson talks to chief executive Chris Naylor on the story so far.
We need a deal with EU that minimises all export barriers
The Centre for Cities' latest report highlights that an industry-by-industry approach to trade is unlikely to work for cities, says Andrew Carter.
We need a real debate on local taxes
Piali Das Gupta argues that we need a more sophisticated balance of local revenue sources for local services that would reduce the pressure on any individual tax or set of taxpayers. Many other countries do it – so what are we afraid of?
Press pause on fair funding review
Crippled by austerity and uncertainty, councils are financially paralysed and facing failure. Heather Jameson says it's time to press pause on the fair funding review until central government decides on the amount of cash for local government.
Business rates 'tweaks' not enough - CBI
Industry leaders have called on politicians to look at overhauling the system of business rates.
Bringing town and gown together
David Harvey hopes the signing of a statement of intent between Westminster City Council and King's College London will enable it to increasingly tap into the skills within the university
Unfreezing social mobility
Social mobility has been stagnating for years, says a new report. How can councils help drive social mobility upwards and reduce levels of income inequality – and what’s holding them back? Ann McGauran reports
We need a public policy rewrite to fix social mobility
Donna Hall says the real burning issue at the heart of the social mobility debate is the need to fundamentally reboot the economy alongside local economies and develop a more effective national skills strategy.
Be a cautious revolutionary
Challenging existing policies and paradigms is something we should always want, argues Dan Corry. But he warns that being too enthusiastic to do away with what came before can have unintended consequences.
Enfield’s world class development plan
By retaining control of the £6bn Meridian Water project, Enfield LBC will be able to ensure it meets the needs of residents – speeding up delivery of new jobs and homes, writes Sarah Cary
Talking shop
Councils are grappling with the demands of being shopping centre owners. James Wilmore finds out how those who have invested are faring.