Author Profile

Michael Burton

Michael Burton

Michael Burton is editorial director of The MJ

Articles by Michael Burton

Austerity post-2016 is set to be rebadged as 'prudence'

By Michael Burton | 12 November 2014

But keeping the electorate in ignorant bliss about the state of the public finances is hardly goi...

Legal heads' association president steps down after tribunal ruling

By Michael Burton | 06 November 2014

Essex CC’s Philip Thomson has stepped down as president of the council legal heads’ association p...

We're lucky in the West but our public sector challenge is the same

By Michael Burton | 04 November 2014

Anyone who doubts the value of public services – and the importance of taxation – need only spend...

Are relationships the key to successful partnering?

By Michael Burton | 03 November 2014

A new concept called ‘relational partnering’ is behind a public private partnership initiative de...

How to keep staff when pay is static

By Michael Burton | 27 October 2014

Michael Burton reports from a recent evening debate in Trafford with local government private sec...

MIPIM UK: Labour to punish councils failing on housing need

By Michael Burton | 15 October 2014

A Labour government will 'apply the stick' to local authorities which fail to meet their housing ...

MIPIM UK: Don't punish London's success, says Boris

By Michael Burton | 15 October 2014

London Mayor Boris Johnson has dismissed what he calls two 'non-solutions' to London's housing cr...

A global problem tackled locally

By Michael Burton | 13 October 2014

Global events can end up as local problems, as the rural district of Fenland discovered when it e...

Labour's policy vacuum means another coalition

By Michael Burton | 07 October 2014

Failure to win battle of ideas in run up to General Election could give Lib Dems role as Westmins...

Pickles rejects shake-up in drive for devolution

By Michael Burton | 30 September 2014

Ministers have ruled out any devolved structural changes to English local government while promis...