Paul Dossett
Paul Dossett is head of local government at Grant Thornton UK
How can further local authority failures be prevented?
There is evidence in a new report from Grant Thornton that in each case of serious local government failure one or more links in the chain of safeguards has been weak or altogether broken, says Paul Dossett.
Lessons on leadership and governance
Paul Dossett and Professor Catherine Staite consider what can be learned from the varied and complex reasons why councils fail, including groupthink, lack of skills, and inability to strike a healthy balance between political and managerial power.
What can be learnt from the recent Public Interest Reports?
Paul Dossett of Grant Thornton UK considers the key lessons for local government that have emerged from the recent Public Interest Reports.
A place-based approach to economic recovery
According to the latest analysis commissioned on behalf of the County Councils Network, counties are the most vulnerable councils to the economic impact of COVID-19. Paul Dossett argues they should be at the forefront of government plans to level up
Avoiding the dangers of a ‘one-size-fits all’ approach
Two key recommendations highlighted in a new report on the need for 'levelling-up' to include counties are for Growth Boards - and for the devo White Paper to consider devolving budgets and powers to county areas, says Paul Dossett.
This will be a different Conservative Government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says the fact that the Conservative majority has been won by gaining seats in towns in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England will make a difference.
What is the future for audit?
Paul Dossett puts the case for a new type of oversight body for local audit that would take a strategic approach to addressing the sector’s sustainability challenges.
Reserves are not the answer
Overall council reserve levels have seen a surprising increase in the past year, but this has not been felt evenly across the sector, says Paul Dossett.
Budget needs to back local government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says there are no areas where further significant cuts can be made that wouldn’t seriously jeopardise future service delivery.
Fewer services for more council tax
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, looks at what the sector can expect from Wednesday's Budget.
A statement of intent
With the Spending Review on the horizon, Paul Dossett examines how councils will need to shape their future approaches or face a financial ‘tipping point’
Councils will look and feel very different in future
The narrative of local government austerity is familiar and will necessarily continue to be told, writes head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett.
Scenarios for long-term sustainability
Local authorities are facing unprecedented challenges over the medium-term, but councils can be sustainable in the long-term, writes head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett.
Biggest impact of welfare reform yet to come
“Never again should the welfare system be allowed to spiral out of control,” the Chancellor said in Wednesday’s Budget.
Step change needed in councils' public accountability
The full impact of austerity on public finances is now beginning to be felt.
Greatest challenges of welfare reform still to come
It is too early to say what the full impact of welfare reform will be and whether or not it will meet the Government’s stated policy objective.
Making the most of capital
With the Government’s drive to reduce the budget deficit, hard-pressed authorities are being challenged to make best use of their £232bn asset base, writes Paul Dossett.
Can belt-tightening alone prevent councils from strife?
Many councils will be able to avoid a tipping point, but for some the wolf is coming to the door, writes Paul Dossett.
