New Local
Whiteman criticises lack of prevention focus in productivity demands
Some ministerial productivity demands are ‘populist nonsense’ more likely to appear in election campaigns than ‘plug material gaps’ in council finances, an expert has warned.
Reform should not be detached from wider purpose
The role of the centre and its interface with regions and localities must shift as devolution matures, writes Jessica Studdert.
New Local chief announces departure
Adam Lent is to leave the think-tank in May.
Local government needs a 10 year plan for renewal
Jessica Studdert says: 'Whether or not future growth enables overall spending to rise, Treasury calculations should recognise the value of the local safety net as foundational for all other services to function effectively and less reactively.'
The challenge of governing isn't just what, but how
Whoever wins the election, by whatever platform, their entry into office will quickly be met with the challenge of how to deliver on their promises in practice, says Jessica Studdert.
Devo’s the word – so what comes next?
Michael Gove’s appearance at the County Councils’ Network conference this week may have been ill-timed, but it was a masterclass in pure politics.
What Katie did next
Katie Kelly talks to Ann McGauran about why she has broken out of retirement to follow her passion for service and belief in the incredible power that lies within communities.
Total Place is unfinished business
'Total Place logic of joint working to address the causes of problems holistically rather than endlessly grapple with symptoms is as pertinent now as ever,' says Jessica Studdert.
No time to wait – let’s lead the way to a power shift
A participative approach must sit at the core of our society and how we deliver public services, says speaker at next week's Stronger Things event Cllr Georgia Gould.
Could communities help cure health inequalities?
To tackle health inequalities, councils and Integrated Care Systems should focus on Sir Michael Marmot’s take on community empowerment and create a culture that enables this, says Laura Charlesworth.
Giving communities more control and influence
Jessica Studdert looks at what could lie ahead for the community power movement, and says the challenge for the next government is whether it will fully realise the potential to transform how the system works for people.
Hall to retire as New Local chair
Chair of the New Local think-tank Donna Hall is to step down from the role.
Accountability is not a one-way street
Even if Oflog starts life with a light touch, 'there’s little to guard against mission creep several years down the line, eventually manifesting the Audit Commission 2.0', says Jessica Studdert.
Public service reform is back on the table
Jessica Studdert says public sector reform is back on the agenda and could make room for a more nuanced focus on impact inspired by the approaches of local partners working with communities.
Celebrating councils’ rising stars
New Local’s Next Generation Academy is a way to bring new ideas to councils at a time of unprecedented challenges when there has never been a clearer need for brave local leadership, says Rich Nelmes.
We are entering unchartered territory
A smaller state is part of the Truss Government's plan, says Jessica Studdert. 'But as we know from recent experience, starving public services of resource in the short-term simply builds up demand in the long-term.'
In search of levelling up’s missing link
It isn’t just the services that will create change in ‘left-behind’ places, but the way they are commissioned, argues Anna von Griesheim.
We need to resist the creep of pork barrel politics
The 'creep of increasingly overt pork barrel politics into our winner-takes-all electoral system ultimately benefits no-one', says Jessica Studdert.
Only 14% trust Government to solve cost of living crisis
Two thirds of people do not have confidence in national politicians to tackle the growing cost of living crisis, according to new polling from think tank New Local.
The cost of living crisis needs a strong locally-led response
We need to use more collective imagination to build a more adaptive and empowered local state that can work in new ways with people to respond to current crises, says Jessica Studdert.
