Ann McGauran
Building on a culture of innovation in Kingston
Kingston RLBC learned lessons from its COVID response that will change both the jobs staff do in future and where those roles are based. Tessa Cole talks to Ann McGauran about ‘a real shift and disruption in working practices’.
Commission calls for funding reset
Local government needs a ‘funding floor’ at an agreed percentage of national income, a report on the future of the sector has said.
Having children's services leads at ICS partnership talks is 'critical'
It is ‘absolutely critically important’ that children’s services are at the table in discussions about partnership working within integrated care systems (ICS), says an NHS policy expert.
Children's minister praises 'moral leadership' of Norfolk CC on asylum seeking children
Children’s minister Vicky Ford has praised the ‘moral leadership’ of Norfolk CC in taking on significant numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).
Care review must be part of a long-term plan for children - ADCS
The independent review of children's social care ‘must go further and be part of a coherent and strategic long-term plan for children,’ according to the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
Slough’s services put children first
In April, Slough’s independent children’s services trust became wholly owned by the council. Josie Wragg and Tony Hunter talk to Ann McGauran about their rapport and shared vision despite the local authority’s hugely challenging financial position.
‘Something’s got to give’
Death rates from COVID-19 in Greater Manchester are 25% higher than in England as a whole, says a new report. But is its framework for ‘Building Back Fairer’ likely to trigger real change? Ann McGauran reports.
Councils 'broadly support' focus of Health and Care Bill
Councils ‘broadly support’ the focus of the Health and Care Bill introduced into Parliament today on improving the health and wellbeing of the population, says the Local Government Association (LGA).
Ofsted - Newham's quality of social work practice is improving
The quality of social work practice in Newham is improving, but the pace of change has been affected by the pandemic, according to Ofsted inspectors.
Getting on with it
Sarah Longlands has returned to CLES – the Centre for Local Economic Strategies – as chief executive. She’s scathing about the Government’s approach to levelling up and believes it’s time for local places to seize control of their own destinies. Ann McGauran reports.
A step in the right direction
In the wake of Kent CC’s move to encourage a fairer share of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children among other councils, Ann McGauran talks to key figures about what needs to be done and whether the voluntary national transfer scheme can help in its new form.
Somerset CC to open up to 10 new children's homes
Somerset CC is to open up to 10 new children’s homes by 2026, admitting it is too reliant on larger for-profit providers in children’s social care.
Commission calls for local government to chair ICS partnerships
Local government leaders or metro mayors should chair Integrated care systems (ICSs) partnerships, according to a new report from the cross-party Health Devolution Commission.
Nottingham set to bring energy company in-house
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring the company that provides district heating and electricity to some of its most deprived local communities in-house for an estimated transfer cost of £500,000.
LGiU report calls for a local government-led Building Back Better commission
A local government-led Building Back Better commission should be part of a new place settlement after the pandemic, a new report from the LGiU think-tank has urged.
Why women lose out in the workforce
Women were already off to an unequal start before the pandemic. Now the clock could be turned back even further, says the Centre for Progressive Policy. Ann McGauran investigates.
Lifting lockdown on June 21 'risks reversing progress,' public health directors warn
Lifting lockdown measures on June 21 ‘risks reversing the significant progress we have made,’ the vice-president of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) has warned.
NAO - jobs support must align with wider government recovery strategy
The Department for Work and Pensions’ pandemic jobs support must align with the wider government economic recovery strategy, says the public spending watchdog.
Sir Andrew Dilnot is upbeat on reform to social care
Author of the landmark 2011 review into social care funding Sir Andrew Dilnot is upbeat about the chances of reform to the system - saying he is ‘hopeful, and I don’t think I’m being Pollyanna-ish’.
Community resilience: preventing the breakdown
Governments must change the post-pandemic narrative to avoid community breakdown, says a public health expert. Ann McGauran reports.
