Service Delivery
Jon Snow you know nothing
Blair McPherson explains how his bid to explain the daunting complexities of how local government works to a student over a sandwich failed to pay off.
Clear and present danger
Public protection services have enormous benefits for communities – but they are in crisis. Derek Allen sets out strategies for securing more investment and support.
A duck by any other name?
‘Co-production’ has been one of the big buzzwords in public services for several years – but how can organisations design this into their thinking? Anthony Noun offers his insights using – among other things – lessons from a ‘Lego Duck Challenge’.
Reimagining council operations: Hunt vs. Logic
Claire Agutter says councils can navigate financial challenges by adopting robust strategic planning systems, implementing effective risk management, and prioritising service integration.
Choice of a new generation
Now is a pivotal moment for councils to start developing strategies to engage with Generation Z, and in doing so start to rethink the future of local government, says Victoria Evans.
Cyber attack disruption to last weeks
Leicester City Council expects disruption caused by a recent Cyber attack on the authority to continue until the end of the month.
14 councils ‘likely’ to issue s114s next year
More than half of councils are likely to issue a section 114 notice within the next Parliament unless funding is reformed, senior local authority figures have warned.
Senior Nottingham councillors refuse to back budget cuts
Senior members of cash-strapped Nottingham City Council have refused to recommend a report that proposed £20m in budget cuts.
Council looks to address £100m ‘black hole’
Somerset Council is considering measures, including reducing staffing and cutting services to statutory levels, to cover a £100m funding gap.
Councils face £3bn funding gap, LGA warns
Councils in England face a funding gap of almost £3bn over the next two years just to maintain services at their current level, a new analysis by the Local Government Association (LGA) has revealed.
Performance broadly maintained in first council four-day week pilot
Early data from the first four-day week pilot at an English local authority is leading to a step change in ways of working and productivity, the council’s leader has said.
Real talk
With the rise of AI filtering through to all areas of society, Dr Jonathan Carr-West looks at its potential effect on governance – and says it’s still important to have the human touch.
Let's use conversations to tackle misunderstandings about councils
If we are to change people’s views about what local government achieves with the resources it has, then we must be prepared to engage with others, says Adele Taylor.
We won't let our citizens down
Lawrence Conway says South Lakeland DC is 'asking our teams to be flexible about how they work and respond positively to the changes we are making - we will do this with our partners, and support our communities in any way we can'.
What have councils ever done for us?
George Thorley sets the changing structures and responsibilities of local government in both Scotland and England in a historical context – and says councils are best placed to solve national problems.
Councils looking to insource due to austerity - APSE report
Austerity has driven councils to insource more services, research has concluded.
Social value should be compulsory, Lords suggest
Incorporating social value into financial decision-making should be compulsory for councils, it has been suggested in a House of Lords debate.
Oxfordshire councils to extend joint working arrangements
Two councils are considering extending their working partnership in a move they hope will trigger a ‘broader conversation’ on local government organisation.
