Staring into the jobs abyss
September 22, 2020
With the furlough scheme due to finish at the end of next month, can local government support COVID-hit local economies and residents left without work? Ann McGauran talks to sector experts.
Analysis
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No going back on audit
September 15, 2020
Heather Jameson talks to the author of The Redmond Review Sir Tony Redmond about the flaws in local government audit, the need for a new body to manage, oversee and regulate – and what will happen if his recommendations aren’t implemented quickly.
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Community power – a step forwards?
September 9, 2020
A recent virtual round table debate hosted by The MJ discussed the recent trend towards councils empowering local communities. Is it a real or just a cynical way of driving down costs, and will it require a significant cultural shift to work? [..]
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A Programme of change for Scotland
September 8, 2020
Scotland’s new Programme for Government offered Indyref 2 as the showstopper, but for local government across the UK the focus will be on the findings of a review to consider the move to a National Care Service. Heather Jameson reports.
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Mind the gap in Scotland
September 8, 2020
The latest figures show Scotland’s deficit between income and spending compared to the deficit for the whole of the UK has widened. Michael Burton delves into the statistics.
You may have missed
‘Just be kind’
While local government has been distracted by austerity, what has happened to diversity? The MJ, Penna and North West Employers asked HR professionals where they were on equality. Heather Jameson reports.
Retro-fitting councils around the 21st century
The MJ and BT recently conducted a survey of local authority directors to find out how they believe 5G will affect their organisations. The conclusions formed part of the discussion at a roundtable debate. Martin Ford reports.
Moving up to the next level
Earlier this year, Suffolk CC’s peer challenge report said the time was right to drive leadership further, and ‘be bolder’. So how are leader Matthew Hicks and chief executive Nicola Beach faring? Ann McGauran reports
Breaking down the barriers between councils and the NHS
How are HR heads overcoming the barriers to closer working between councils and the NHS? Michael Burton put questions to London borough HR leads at a recent monthly meeting.
York’s rural champions
North Yorkshire CC has launched an independent rural commission, believed to be the first of its kind, to give a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by its deeply rural communities. Heather Jameson takes a look.
Councils ‘set up to fail’ on SEND
A committee of MPs has acknowledged the Government’s proposal for a significant increase in high needs block funding next year - but say it will make little difference without ‘a systemic cultural shift’. Ann McGauran reports.
From the archive
The wages of virtue
Rhys Moore makes the case for employers paying staff enough to have a minimum acceptable standard of living
The Spending Review conundrum
Having cut and exhausted the 'low-hanging fruit', public service leaders expect further Spending Review cuts to have profound implications for their organisations and service delivery, writes Angela Mitchell.
Capital spending boost but social care is ignored
Last week’s Autumn Statement promised extra funding for housing and transport but no relief for social care budgets. Michael Burton looks at the detail of the while Sam Clayden (below) reports
