Abdool Kara
Abdool Kara is executive leader for local services at the National Audit Office and former chief execuitve of Swale BC
Making economic development a statutory duty for councils would be a rare win-win
The sector wants to make economic development services a statutory duty for councils. Abdool Kara says the challenge for local authorities is to open the Treasury’s eyes to the prize it considers could be available.
Don't hold your breath for immediate funding salvation
Like Liam Byrne’s 2010 note to his successor suggesting there was no money left, an incoming government will have little room for budgetary manoeuvre if it sticks to its declared fiscal rules, says Abdool Kara.
How about an updated version of Total Place
Abdool Kara says Total Place 'remains to many an idea that has the potential to square the circle of improved outcomes at less cost at a time where there are few other solutions presenting themselves'.
Saying goodbye to Local Enterprise Partnerships
As we prepare to scrap Local Enterprise Partnerships, Abdool Kara asks what will we do next to drive sub regional growth
Beware the snake oil salesmen of the future
The increase in risky business models in local government has led to the litany of high-profile failures and s114s, says Abdool Kara. If it sounds too good to be true it almost certainly is, he warns.
Pondering the 'graph of doom'
The NHS cannot be afforded higher than inflationary financial increases year-on-year ad infinitum without consequence to the rest of the public sector we value, says Abdool Kara.
Looking at alternatives to competitive funding pots
Could the resources invested in failed bids, added to the immense resources needed to assess them, be utilised more effectively, asks Abdool Kara.
So many failures looks like carelessness, as Oscar Wilde almost said
Some combination of senior councillors and officers is at fault when it comes to council failures so the onus must be on the likes of the LGA, Solace, CIPFA and others to help prevent such cases arising in the first place, says Abdool Kara.
The tentative theory of the infinite queue
Abdool Kara considers why a Government should invest in prevention when it will make no tangible difference to reducing need when it has other priorities to focus upon.
The case for prevention investment
We may talk in terms of prevention, preservation or perhaps resilience, but the evidence is that placing too low a premium on the future when we are making spending decisions today will eventually come back to bite us, says Abdool Kara.
Go with your gut on EDI
If we are going to make progress on equality, diversity and inclusion local government needs to cut the red tape and just do it, says Abdool Kara
The NAO will be paying close attention to the progress of levelling up
Abdool Kara says it is straightforward to direct Government capital and infrastructure cash towards the places the market is not investing in, albeit how such places are prioritised can be contested. It is a harder task for revenue spending.
Ukraine crisis is 'forging stronger bonds'
The crisis in Ukraine is seeing countries around the world unite in support of its people, writes Abdool Kara. We can and must do everything possible to support staff who are affected by the conflict.
A late-notice, short-term and partial settlement poses problems
There may be a clue about why the sector only has a one-year settlement in the lack of announcements around the fair funding review, the overdue business rates reset, and the delayed levelling up White Paper, says Abdool Kara.
Finding evidence to support the 'bleedin' obvious'
Abdool Kara asks why such a small proportion of health money is devoted to preventative activities. 'It can only be because the Department of Health or HM Treasury are not convinced by the evidence.'
Data shows the difference
Despite all the legislation and guidance, there is still endless variation in local government, says Abdool Kara. Data helps compare the difference.
The future is already here
Success can only come from choosing our battles - and our timing - well, and working for change collaboratively across the sector, says Abdool Kara.
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?'
Councils' role is vital to a fulsome recovery
Some loved ones will not be around to experience the renaissance when it comes. But for those who are, 'the critical role of local authorities needs to be recognised and underpinned' if the recovery is to be swift, says Abdool Kara.
The importance of a wise intermediate layer
Little has been written during the pandemic about the missing role of intermediate layers of governance such as regional development agencies, says Abdool Kara. They might have prevented some of the response cul-de-sacs, he adds.