Transformation
Coming together whilst staying apart
In the midst of a global pandemic, Boston BC and East Lindsey DC signed off on their strategic alliance. The benefits are already coming to the fore despite the challenges, says Rob Barlow.
Using online tools to get businesses and citizens back on their feet
Joe Bedingfield looks at how councils are using online tools to serve citizens throughout and beyond COVID-19, and examines some of the digital usage patterns during lockdown.
Survey shows councillors expect more COVID-related cuts
More than two thirds of councillors believe the COVID-19 pandemic will mean further cuts to public sector budgets, according to a UK-wide survey.
Two challenges for councils
Professor Mark Thompson believes that while a focus on reducing duplication and waste in the current system of local government has much to recommend it, data should become the lifeblood of any new model.
The new (ab)normal?
Green Park’s Neil Lupin looks at one of the most common terms heard since the pandemic began, and asks just what ‘new normal’ means in local government.
COVID and Brexit call for radical transformation
Havant BC and East Hampshire DC already have a shared chief executive and senior management team and are now looking to build on their already close partnership, says Gill Kneller. 'We need to be radical', she adds.
Councils v Coronavirus: plan beats no plan
Coronavirus scenario planning exercises with councils have revealed insights into the types of decisions local leaders will need to take to support their communities, says Robert Pollock.
Moving from the sprint to the heptathlon
Jon Ainger offers five recommendations for depleted management teams looking to make better recovery decisions in the short term.
Moving forward in a time of unprecedented demand
Lawrence Conway says confidence building, hope and support, and visionary and purposeful local leadership are needed ‘as we move forward to build a better world now and for future generations’.
Ex-ministers unite in health devolution call
Five former ministers from all three main parties have called for health and social care to be devolved and integrated within a single budget.
Meeting citizens’ expectations after the pandemic
Hilary Jones highlights how COVID-19 has been the catalyst for shifting up a gear when it comes to communicating with local residents, providing the environment and the permission for digital to take centre stage.
Rethinking council buildings for the future
In the wake of COVID-19, the question needs to be asked whether councils require the amount of office space that their employees currently use, says Femi Oresanya.
Exclusive: Government will support councils with ‘modernising’ shift to digital
Local government minister Simon Clarke says £800,000 for eleven projects that use technology to help people through the pandemic will support councils with the ‘major modernising shift’ to digital.
Leaders and laggers in a post-COVID world
In a post-modern world of local government we may well be looking at the survival of the fittest and councils could be heading for a ‘slow motion car crash into decline’, warns John Knight.
Moving to warp speed on transformation in Walsall
Walsall MBC’s chief executive and leader talk to Heather Jameson about how the borough’s transformation programme is ‘moving on faster than ever’ due to the pandemic.
Seizing the opportunity to change perceptions
Rebecca Davis looks at how an ambitious initiative across the West Midlands has highlighted the important work of council workers, who are making as much of a difference in their own way as any emergency service
Delivering despite difficult odds
Karen Bradford’s first 100 days as chief executive of South Kesteven DC started just three weeks before lockdown. Here, she looks back on what’s been achieved.
People don’t need tethering to a place
The way forward for embracing remote working and liberation from the office is now clear following the response to coronavirus, says director of services at Basildon Council Mandie Skeat.
Northants two years on: Commissioners report underspend
Two years into it intervention, Northamptonshire CC is set to end the 2019-20 financial year with a £640,000 underspend, the commissioners have stated.
Ministers urged to create a 'green bank'
Ministers have been urged to create a Green Bank to fund climate change investment as part of the Government’s multi-billion pound infrastructure investment programme announced earlier this week.
