Ann McGauran
Survey shows public trusts councils more than Government on COVID
The findings of a new opinion poll show the public trusts councils more than Government on the response to COVID, says APSE.
Casting light on a dark problem
An innovative integrated approach to tackling drug-related harm in Blackpool is achieving promising early results – but significant challenges remain on funding, commissioning cycles and data. Ann McGauran reports.
Councils key to tackling 'anti-vax mob'
Councils must act quickly to knock down the ‘anti-vax mob’ as the Government puts the sector at the heart of its strategy to tackle coronavirus, a senior public health chief has urged.
Hackney shifts the dial on contact tracing
Cllr Chris Kennedy talks to Ann McGauran about the highlights and challenges of Hackney LBC’s local coronavirus contact tracing service and how it works alongside the national approach.
NHS lays out plan for working with councils on mass vaccination
The NHS has started to detail its mass vaccination strategy, outlining how it expects to work with local government.
Local government 'must have parity' with NHS on pay
The chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board says the hard work of the sector during the pandemic must be recognised as the chancellor moves to put a squeeze on public sector salaries.
Role of councils in mass vaccination roll-out remains unclear
The role local government will play in mass coronavirus vaccination remains unclear, as it emerged that health leaders have been told to find sites for administering the vaccine.
Spinning plates to improve lives
Ann McGauran talks to Charlotte Ramsden about the part she’s played in developing a new vision and plan for children and young people’s services across Greater Manchester – and how it feels to be awarded an OBE.
We have proved that councils are the place for social care - ADASS
The ‘joining up’ work done by local government during the pandemic has made it clear to Government and Whitehall that social care ‘needs a home’ in councils, says the president of ADASS.
Youth and BAME jobs hit hardest by lockdown
Young people, BAME workers and those on insecure contracts have lost out most as a result of the changing jobs market during the COVID-19 crisis, says new research from the Resolution Foundation.
Barking & Dagenham offers same-day testing to key workers
Barking & Dagenham LBC is thought to have become the first in England to set up a same-day COVID testing service for key workers, to sidestep delays in the national system for tests and results.
Chancellor announces new support package for businesses
The chancellor Rishi Sunak has increased support for workers and jobs hit by tougher COVID-19 restrictions following a barrage of protests from businesses, particularly those in Tier 2 areas.
Tiers of trouble
More than half of England’s population is now living under high or very high-alert postcode COVID-19 restrictions. Ann McGauran asks if the new measures are sufficient, and looks at their impact on centre-local relations.
Greater Manchester will move into Tier 3 as talks collapse
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Greater Manchester will head into Tier 3 restrictions on Friday after talks with local leaders broke up without a deal.
Greater Manchester's mayor will not 'roll over' on COVID cash
Greater Manchester’s standoff with government on moving to new tier three COVID-19 restrictions continues today, with mayor Andy Burham saying he will not ‘roll over’ at the sight of a cheque.
Swathes of England to move to tighter restrictions
Barrow-in Furness, York, north-east Derbyshire, Erewash and Chesterfield will move into tier two restrictions from Saturday with London, Essex and Elmbridge.
City council poised to lose 617 posts due to COVID-19
The executive board of Leeds City Council meets next week to consider cutting the workforce by 617 posts amidst a 'stark budget shortfall' due to the costs of COVID-19.
Axing of PHE is opportunity to 'reframe' health protection
Public Health England’s (PHE) axing offers a chance for health protection to be ‘reframed’ and an opportunity for local government to ‘get into that place,’ an expert has said.
Take local people with you on COVID, says ADPH
The need to take action ‘with, and through local people’ is at the heart of a 10-point blueprint from the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) to inform policy, practice and decision making on COVID-19.
Cities have 'gone backwards towards a centralising tendency'
Cities have ‘gone backwards’ towards a centralising tendency in response to COVID-19 and in relation to the proposals in the Planning White Paper, says Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
