Transformation
Re-thinking digital transformation for the post-pandemic age
When it comes to digital strategy, Sean Hale says lessons emerging from COVID, including the changing world of work itself, create new conditions for councils to move into a bright future.
Achieving great things for Kingston
Kingston RLBC won the senior leadership team of the year category of The MJ Awards 2021. Great staff have come together to collectively own the budget and quickly transform lives, writes Ian Thomas.
Councils express integrated care system sidelining fears
Local authority leaders are concerned they are being excluded as governance structures are put in place for the new bodies.
Reflections on 2021
Julie Towers looks back on the past 12 months, anticipates what will be in store in the new year and assesses how the sector needs to adapt to keep up with the pace of change.
Reviewers ‘underestimated’ challenge at Croydon
In a report a year on from their initial review, Chris Wood and Alan Gay said the 'enormity of the task seems to have grown’.
Reasons to be cheerful
The MJ and Penna’s annual survey of council chief executives reveals resilience and the ability to adapt have become reasons for the sector to celebrate, yet respect and recognition outside the sector is still lacking. Heather Jameson reports.
The social state
COVID-19 restrictions may have been lifted but a new report by Demos and Capita, launched at The MJ Future Forum, revealed people are less likely to make and build new relationships now than they were in the first lockdown.
A unique moment in time
At The MJ’s recent Future Forum, BT outlined the immense opportunities digital and online services are currently offering councils – and the chance for true innovation must be taken.
Javid aims for 'integration by default'
Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid has said he wants to push through integration reforms to ‘stop people from bouncing around the system’.
Can local government continue at this pace?
Managing Director and Client Partner for Capita Local Public Services Paul Abraham says that now is a great opportunity to rethink how we deliver services to citizens.
Being human is the least you can do
Rachael Walker reveals the six key elements crucial for successful local government transformation over the last 18 months. What changed was that people had a purpose, she believes.
Getting on with the daily job
Business as usual services must continue at South Lakeland DC with performance kept at the highest levels as local authorities in Cumbria await local government reorganisation and the formation of two new councils, says Lawrence Conway.
A bold local route to better mental health
Local Living Well sites put people with complex mental health needs in control of their support and encourages them to set their own recovery goals. The programme is proud of its success, says Tally Daphu.
Has COVID strengthened councils’ links with communities?
Local authority change management consultancy C.co certainly believes in the community aspect of COVID’s impact, says Norse Chief Operating Officer Justin Galliford.
South Ayrshire Council’s slow transformation ‘frustrating’, auditors say
South Ayrshire Council’s services perform well but the council has been slow at making necessary changes to the way it delivers these services, auditors say.
Counting the benefits of good partnership
The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership was formally signed off this summer. It will build on South Holland DC’s own experience of partnership working, and build something even bigger, says Rob Barlow.
Devolution is my ‘unfinished business’
Pat Ritchie is leaving her role as chief executive of Newcastle City Council after more than eight years at the helm. She talks to Heather Jameson about her legacy and what she sees as her three key achievements.
Watchdog criticises council's slow pace of improvement
Audit Scotland found South Ayrshire Council had ‘made limited progress on key aspects of Best Value’.
Building forward in local government
Failure by the Government to recognise the great strides councils have made harnessing the positive power of technology during the pandemic would be a significant opportunity missed, says Pauline Yau.
Future Forum: Call to replace transactional with relational
A forthcoming report by the Demos think-tank advocates moving from ‘transactional’ to ‘relational’ public services.
