Heather Jameson
Heather Jameson is editor of the MJ
Structures should be 'rationalised,' Hoare tells DCN
Council funding should have been reformed by now and structures need to be ‘rationalised’ the local government minister told the District Councils’ Network (DCN) conference.
Cadman steps down as Birmingham chief
Deborah Cadman is to stand down as chief executive of Birmingham City Council after almost three years at the council.
A quick fix – but is there any choice?
With news of capitalisation directions being given to several councils, Heather Jameson asks if this risky measure – designed to provide fiscal support – will ultimately provide greater problems down the line.
Has the levelling up agenda died or is it only resting?
Levelling-up's recent political incarnation was designed to appeal to voters with a four-year attention span, says Heather Jameson. 'It was only a matter of time before the public noticed there was little life in the bird.'
Budget: Chancellor launches productivity push
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled a Budget with little respite for local government but demands for increased public sector productivity.
'Scorched earth' Budget likely to offer little for local government
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to unveil a ‘scorched earth’ Budget today, slashing National Insurance and leaving little left for public services.
Easing finances creates perverse incentives for failure
Capitalisation directions reward councils that are financially failing with the ability to raise taxes and borrow more - lumping future generations with a legacy of both inherited debt and decades of underfunded services, says Heather Jameson.
What are the chances of a Budget boost?
New SIGOMA analysis highlights the huge decline in funding in recent years and the sector desperately needs a boost, says Heather Jameson. 'But the chances of one arriving in a tax-slashing pre-election Budget are slim.'
Birmingham 'worse' than commissioners feared
The situation in Birmingham City Council is worse than commissioners expected, a report to the secretary of state has claimed.
Council tax bands need a regional overhaul
Heather Jameson asks: 'Will any incoming government rush to reform council tax? Will they be braver and take on wider public finance reform?'
Local government figures made peers
Local government has been recognised in the latest round of peerages, with two senior figures heading to the House of Lords.
It’s time for a ‘big bang’ to fix our workforce
'There is a need to rethink workloads across the public sector, to harness new technologies to do the grunt work while staff focus on the things only people can provide', says Heather Jameson.
It’s not a bail out: it is tax-funded public services
Councils are grateful for the extra cash, says Heather Jameson. 'So thankful, I fear, the sector may be suffering from a touch of Stockholm Syndrome.'
Starting over with Total Place
Born out of attempts to streamline services and cut costs across the public sector, Total Place captured the imagination of the sector before falling victim to a poltical shift. Is it time to revisit it, asks Heather Jameson.
The Hunt for cash
The Treasury has asked an internal team of experts to hunt down potential extra cash for local government, The MJ understands.
John hits out after being ditched by Oflog
A former London Councils chair has hit out at the Office for Local Government (Oflog) ditching him from a review team at the eleventh hour.
MPs call on Sunak to boost council settlement
More than 40 MPs have called on the Government to rethink the finance settlement in a bid to rescue floundering authorities.
Creative vision for Haringey
Haringey has appointed two leaders with a strong background in the creative world into the director of culture and creativity role as a job share. Heather Jameson reports.
Radical overhaul required to drag us into the 21st century
From central government and the NHS, to police, prisons and local government: the ‘state of the state’ is dire, says Heather Jameson. 'There are few quick fixes, but propping up the status quo is not an option.'
Birmingham faces 10% council tax hike
Cash-strapped Birmingham City Council could raise council tax by 10% if the Government gives its finance plan the go-ahead.