Local economies
Learning through crisis
The motto for the borough of Watford is ‘to go boldly’, and it has been tested this year as never before, says Donna Nolan
Planning for reset and recovery
Having emerged from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local authorities are now busy dealing with reset and recovery before the feared resurgence of a second wave. In a virtual round table, The MJ and Serco looked at some of the key challenges facing councils. Michael Burton reports
Helping city centres thrive post-COVID
Concern for our high streets has been exacerbated by the pandemic - but this time it is big cities that are suffering more, says Andrew Carter. If we care about city centres, its down to transport authorities can help
Unleash freedoms, not fears
As local lockdowns become more common, Claire Fox warns against the use of draconian measures – keeping everyone working from home may not be the best option
A place-based approach to economic recovery
According to the latest analysis commissioned on behalf of the County Councils Network, counties are the most vulnerable councils to the economic impact of COVID-19. Paul Dossett argues they should be at the forefront of government plans to level up
To the moon and back
The model for getting a man on the moon is a good one for the post COVID world of local government, even if councils don’t have the same open-ended budget, says Blair McPherson.
The key to cutting demand? Mobilise communities
Luca Tiratelli says a new report from the NLGN shows how councils can stop the crisis of demand from spiralling further out of control by allowing communities to be more active.
At the sharp end of Scottish scrutiny
The chair of Scotland’s public spending watchdog for councils steps down this month. Graham Sharp talks to Ann McGauran about his legacy and says the challenges have never been greater.
Rebuilding Redbridge
Redbridge LBC is one of the areas likely to be hit with the double whammy of a high impact from COVID-19 and low resilience, says a report from the Social Market Foundation. Heather Jameson reports.
Tackling the economic impact of COVID in the Morecambe Bay region
Matt Williams outlines how South Lakeland DC is working with other councils and agencies across the region to help businesses and residents withstand the crisis.
Head of 'test and trace' raises concerns about lack of support for low paid
Concerns over the lack of support for people who need to take time off work to self-isolate but are unable to claim statutory sick pay have been raised by the head of the ‘test and trace’ programme in England.
Liverpool has come out fighting on culture
Liverpool has created cultural initiatives that spark the imagination ‘and bring us slowly and carefully out of an international disaster - blinking into the light but ready to reboot’, says Claire McColgan.
Why don't we have the powers to fully tackle exploitation?
Deputy mayor of Leicester Cllr Adam Clarke highlights that exploitation in garment factories has been a top council priority, but enforcement calls for more powers.
Leicester should be 'klaxon warning' to councils
The example of Leicester should be a ‘klaxon warning’ to councils that government ‘will not hesitate to scapegoat municipalities wherever and whenever it suits’, according to an academic.
Leicester’s Politicised Lockdown: A warning to local government
Jonathan S. Davies says government's 'failure to admit responsibility for the sweatshops, whilst indulging in racialised smears' is both 'a malicious attack on Britain’s leading multicultural city' and a threat to the fight against COVID-19.
£13bn construction procurement frameworks launched
Two public sector frameworks totalling £13bn have been launched aimed at providing direct support to local economies and the green recovery.
Government told to recommit to local industrial strategies
Local industrial strategies (LIS) should be the ‘starting point for economic recovery plans,’ the Government has been told.
Johnson to announce local lockdown powers
Boris Johnson is expected to give councils power to implement a local lockdown as part of a raft of plans to battle a second wave of coronavirus.
Give us the fiscal tools to finish the recovery job
Fiscal devo should work in England to boost growth, placemaking and social wellbeing as it does in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, says Jonathan Werran.
Our plan to aid economic recovery by reimagining Waltham Forest’s future
Martin Esom says Waltham Forest’s Economic Recovery Action Plan is built around three key phases – and the ambitious plans for housing will not fall by the wayside.
