Ann McGauran
Two local government pension funds record total deficits of £14.5m
A local government pension scheme pool has reported net retirement benefit deficits this year totalling £14.5m across two funds.
Council chief says protest 'was not in any way aimed at people of Indian heritage'
The chief executive of Luton BC Robin Porter has said he is reassured a march in the town following heightened tensions in Kashmir ‘was organised out of genuine concern for the people living in the area’.
Taking the next steps
Cllr David Williams steps into the role of new chairman of the County Councils’ Network in September. Ann McGauran talks to him about his priorities and plans.
Financial risk for children's services across London is 'unsustainable'
Children’s services across London are facing an unsustainable level of financial risk, a new report commissioned by London Councils has warned.
‘Extraordinary pressures’ call for extraordinary resilience
Penna’s latest annual survey of chief executives, in partnership with The MJ, highlights their latest perspectives and organisational priorities. Ann McGauran looks at the results.
Harnessing the best of the West
Ann McGauran reports on the launch of Metro Dynamics’ report making the case for the creation of the UK’s next wealth generator – the Great Western Powerhouse
Use of child spies is 'plain wrong'
One of England’s most high-profile directors of children’s services has spoken out against police use of child spies to penetrate criminal organisations.
Home visits pilot moves to next phase
A study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IfS) says a small-scale pilot home visiting intervention in Peterborough for young children in disadvantaged families is showing promising results. Ann McGauran reports.
Bringing new members up to speed on funding
England’s new cadre of councillors need to navigate a perfect storm of financial challenges. How can finance directors help them cope successfully with the complexities they face? Ann McGauran reports
Use Brexit to rewrite public sector procurement rules
A new paper from the New Local Government Network (NLGN) says Brexit should be used as an opportunity to rewrite procurement rules to put communities at the heart of commissioning.
A Great Western Powerhouse is the 'missing piece of the jigsaw'
The ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ for driving inclusive growth at scale is a Great Western Powerhouse waiting to happen, according to a landmark report launched yesterday at the House of Lords.
Immigration minister says Government has 'learned the lessons from Windrush'
Minister of state for immigration Caroline Noakes says she has a ‘shared perspective’ with local government on the EU settled status scheme.
Lib Dem leadership hopeful promises devolution revolution
Liberal Democrat leadership hopeful Jo Swinson has said that if she is elected to the top role this summer ‘ we will oversee a devolution revolution’ .
Non-metropolitan councils need the power to tackle barriers to growth
The Post-Brexit England Commission’s final report has set out a prospectus to Government of ‘tangible, practical proposals’ with the potential to ‘make a difference to local communities quickly’.
Call for councils to strengthen their involvement with the Armed Forces Covenant
Leader of Warwickshire CC Izzie Seccombe has outlined a number of ways to boost the role local government can play in strengthening the Armed Forces Covenant .
More joined up approach is needed from central Government to tackle county lines
Central Government departments work in silos on tackling serious violence and county lines and need to work together ‘in a more smart way’, says a council expert.
Brexit and austerity blows threaten service delivery
Nearly half of local authorities say some councils will fail to deliver essential services over the next year, says PwC’s latest annual local government survey.
EXCLUSIVE: England’s top 10 councils for children with high needs revealed
England’s 10 best performing councils for children with high needs have been identified by IMPOWER, and are revealed by The MJ today.
UK councils step up their foreign trading links
Almost one in five (18%) UK councils are going abroad on a city-to-city basis to find investment and develop trading links – up from 12% in 2018, according to the PwC annual survey of local government.
Unitaries are the best way to strengthen local government's economic role, says Lord Kerslake
The former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake has come down firmly in favour of unitaries as the best model for a strengthened economic role for local government.