Counties should not rest on our laurels

By Nicola Beach | 17 January 2023

While the financial strains for both councils and communities will continue to be the dominant is...

Delivering school transport services during a fuel crisis

By Nicola Beach | 18 May 2022

The cost of living has been especially felt in home-to -school transport, says Nicola Beach. The ...

The art of the possible

By Nicola Beach | 22 March 2022

A major new report from the ACCE, the CCN and Newton on the future of children's social care show...

Difficult decisions lie ahead for counties

By Nicola Beach | 26 January 2022

County Councils Network analysis projects that even with the extra funding secured by the sector,...

Government needs to better clarify the responsibility of councils in net-zero

By Nicola Beach | 14 September 2021

A report from the County Councils' Network finds that a city-centric focus to climate funding and...

There's never been a better time to consider the future role of councils

By Nicola Beach | 20 July 2021

We now have a golden opportunity to build on the lessons learned during the pandemic and elevate ...

A nuanced approach to levelling up is needed

By Nicola Beach | 26 May 2021

As Nicola Beach becomes the chair of the Association of County Chief Executives, she looks at the...