Opinion The MJ
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Santa or the Grinch? No quick fix for fail finances
November 29, 2023
Heather Jameson says: 'It all comes back to the same issues over and again for local government. The funding system is fundamentally broken.'
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Powering ahead in the West Midlands
November 29, 2023
The West Midlands Combined Authority is to receive a departmental-style single funding settlement from Government that will enable it to deliver prosperity for local people in the years ahead, writes Laura Shoaf.
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Retrograde step away from cities
November 29, 2023
Marvin Rees laments the lack of support for cities in the Autumn Statement.
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Challenging times
November 29, 2023
Behind the headlines on finances, councils are grappling with protecting services and regenerating communities, writes Sheila Oxtoby.
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AI and public services of the future
November 29, 2023
The challenge for Surrey is to work with partners to develop a regional economic ecosystem around AI, and harness the technology in a safe and trustworthy way, says Dawn Redpath.
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Social care’s new dawn
November 29, 2023
There are signs Whitehall is now starting to ‘get’ prevention and how to support people to stay out of hospital and residential care, says Beverley Tarka.
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Who wouldn’t want to be a DCS?
November 28, 2023
As directors of children’s services gather at the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Philip Emms and Jane Parfrement reflect on the achievements of the aspirant DCS programme
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True collaboration will be key to the success of devo in Surrey
November 28, 2023
Cllr Tim Oliver says Surrey CC is looking forward to working with the Government and local partners to ensure all residents can feel the benefit of a Level 2 County Deal.
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Autumn Statement: what lies behind the promises?
November 28, 2023
Despite a few helpful announcements from the chancellor in relation to cost of living and hospitality the reality is the overall outlook for Westminster residents remains difficult, says Cllr Adam Hug.
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Can outsourced leisure centres benefit from the VAT ruling?
November 28, 2023
HMRC has revised its treatment of VAT on in house leisure services. Scott Dorling and Julian Jarrett consider if agency arrangements can retain this benefit for outsourced leisure services.
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Autumn Statement: not what it says on the tin
November 28, 2023
Kate Ogden says it seems likely either taxes will have to rise further, borrowing will have to rise, or the range and quality of public services provided will have to fall.
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Autumn Statement: end of Household Support Fund leaves gaping hole
November 25, 2023
The Household Support Fund is an essential safety net for families in crisis – removing it means there is nothing to break their fall, says chief executive of Barnardo's Lynn Perry MBE.
