Ann McGauran
Breaking the non-disclosure habit?
Non-disclosure clauses in employment settlements are often being used by employers to cover up complaints of harassment and discrimination, says a select committee report. To what extent is this the case in local government? Ann McGauran reports
Searching locally for the antidote to populism
How can local government leaders help cohesive communities to flourish in a time of growing populism and in the middle of a central political and policy vacuum? Ann McGauran reports
United view?
Chair of the LGA Lord Porter says the smaller unitaries have ‘probably a larger number of councils close to the edge’. But as Ann McGauran reports, it may be hard to generalise about the financial health of this ‘disparate group’.
Evidence emerges for the effectiveness of Intensive Family Preservation Services
A review has found evidence of the effectiveness of Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) in reducing the risk of care entry to children for up to two years after the delivery of the interventions.
Tackling child exploitation together
A programme to support areas battling child exploitation has been launched by the Department for Education. Ann McGauran reports on how the £2m scheme will work with councils
The self-sufficiency myth
Marsham Street appears not to understand the drivers of demand or the pressures local services are under, county finance chiefs have told MPs.
BBC programme on adult social care is 'not a hatchet job'
Somerset CC’s adult services director has revealed his reasoning behind allowing Panorama to follow people making their way through the system.
Councils urged to consider social value more strategically
Local authorities should assign a senior leadership role focused on delivering social value at both an operational and political level, a new report suggested today.
5G rollout held up due to legal wrangles over lamppost control
A new electronics communications code designed to make the rollout of 5G easier has backfired, leading to a two-year hold-up due to legal wrangling.
Central-local relations at 'all-time low' - study
The relationship between Whitehall and councils has broken down, with local leaders feeling ‘disrespected and marginalised,’ according to a think-tank behind a major new report published today.
Redressing the balance
Localis’s report Hitting reset – a case for local leadership puts the argument for a complete transfer of powers from Whitehall to the local state. Ann McGauran reports
Square Mile to borrow for the first time in decades
City of London Council could borrow more than £1bn over the next three years through its local government arm and endowment fund.
Unfreezing social mobility
Social mobility has been stagnating for years, says a new report. How can councils help drive social mobility upwards and reduce levels of income inequality – and what’s holding them back? Ann McGauran reports
Mind the gap
Local government has made progress in narrowing the gender pay gap since last year – but solutions need to be in place for much longer to have an impact.
A climate for change
Environmental activists including young campaigner Greta Thunberg have been hitting the headlines - but what is local government doing to mitigate the impact of climate change? Ann McGauran finds out
Minister in plea for cross-party care consensus
Care minster Caroline Dinenage has said she 'would dearly like there to be cross-party consensus' on funding for social care.
Committing to youth wellbeing
Councils are being ‘forced to divert the limited funding they have left away from preventative work. But with levels of knife crime rising, will the Government put more money into targeted youth services responses? Ann McGauran reports
A day in the life
Staff from district councils put their future leadership talents to the test during this year’s District Councils’ Network Leadership Challenge Day. Ann McGauran reports on the highlights.
Don’t let children’s services become ‘black box’ of council
Chief executive Merran McRae has warned her colleagues not to let 'insular' children’s services become the 'black box' of their council.
Austerity 'could end at the Spending Review'
There is a ‘genuine chance’ austerity will end at the Spending Review, according to upbeat director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Paul Johnson.