Reorganisation
The dreamy world of local government
Ian Miller waxes lyrical on a local government sector transformed into a paradise of five-yearly council tax revaluations, binned bidding rounds and mature joint working between district and county councils.
LEPs braced for shake-up ahead of review
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) are preparing themselves for a further shake-up amid the second government review of the organisations in three years.
Back from the brink
In 2018, Northamptonshire CC became notorious in local government. Yet the council, which is soon to be replaced with two new unitaries, is set to leave a substantial surplus to its successors. Cllr Matt Golby explains how this was achieved.
Pushing for influence on the national stage
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant, about the outlook for local communities and economies two years on from the birth of the new unitary.
The White Paper recognises coterminosity makes a strategic difference
Abdool Kara asks if the lessons of Lansley will be learned, 'especially the making-redundant-then-rehiring of health professionals strategy that cost the public purse dearly in 2011?'
Gone but not forgotten
Northampton BC will soon be no more as it is swallowed up into the new West Northamptonshire Council.
Tear down devolution 'barriers,' APPG urges
Powers should be devolved to councils before reorganisation takes place, a new report has concluded.
North Northamptonshire to ‘do the boring well’
Coronavirus has tempered expectations as North Northamptonshire Council prepares for launch.
Groundwork laid for combined authority
Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council are pressing ahead with laying the political groundwork for a combined authority as they await a decision from the Government.
Surrey boroughs consider merger
Guildford and Waverley BCs are looking to combine management teams and services in a move driven by ‘brutal’ funding cuts.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
Basildon and Thurrock consider merger
Council leaders are drawing up a memorandum of understanding including the option of forming a South West Essex Council.
A winning champion for change
Anna Earnshaw’s role in improving the social care department at troubled Northamptonshire CC won her the award of Corporate Director of the Year in The MJ Achievement Awards last year. Heather Jameson talked to her about her achievement.
A clean break
Diary was saddened to hear of the impending divorce of Breckland and South Holland DCs, described in council papers as an ‘uncoupling’.
Councils propose ‘super-district’
Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick DCs have revealed proposals to merge by 2024.
Cementing growth plans in The Bay
Whatever your thoughts may be on local government reorganisation it has brought together the three councils of Barrow, Lancaster and South Lakeland 'like nothing before', says Lawrence Conway.
New management structure to lead Luton’s 2020-2040 vision
Luton BC has restructured its top management team to focus on its flagship Luton 2020-2040 vision for eradicating poverty in the town.
Redrawing the map
Councils are the bodies to lead high street regeneration – but not without reform, argues Paul Swinney.
EXCLUSIVE: DCN attempts to use tiers frustration to boost reorganisation case
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has attempted to boost its local government reorganisation arguments by capitalising on Conservative unhappiness about the tiers system.
Councillors voice intervention fears
Members of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have raised concerns the authority could face government intervention over the performance of its planning department.
