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OK – now I’ve got your attention, I admit the headline is slightly OTT. But, I promise readers, this is less far-fetched and more grounded than most of the ‘fake news’ and hysterical banners with which we are daily assailed from national politicians and their preferred media platforms, says David…
As Parliament grinds to a halt, we reflect on the situation in local government left by the vacuum of policy strategy on social care and funding, as well as the impact of a No Deal Brexit on councils. Plus we launch our #LocalGovReads campaign, asking what local government is reading…
It’s August and the traditional time of things slowing down a little bit in local government. Many councillors and officers take a bit of time off from the increasingly grim reality of local government finance. Whether travelling abroad, visiting the wonderful treasures in these Isles or enjoying a staycation close…
With limited fanfare, DCMS today launched the government’s latest civil society strategy proudly described as the first new such strategy in 15 years. Key features include a £165 million fund to support community organisations, a new Innovation in Democracy programme to pilot participatory democracy techniques such as citizens’ juries, more…
LGiU’s Hannah Muirhead visited South Tyneside Council to sit in on a Dementia Friends training session for councillors and to learn about the measures the council is taking to become a dementia friendly local authority
The story that has emerged over the last week or so that we may have to begin stockpiling food, medicines and other essentials in readiness for a no-deal Brexit is disturbing to say the least. It reveals something of the shock we can expect next April without adequate planning and…
Things lurch from bad to worse in Northamptonshire. Following the issue of a second section 114 notice and a scathing letter to councillors from the Finance Director condemning years of financial mismanagement that have left the council on the brink of collapse and needing to find another £60 – 70…
We welcome this week’s publication of the Local Government Association’s Green Paper on Adult Social Care and wellbeing The Lives We Want to Lead. Someone had to do it. The Government’s promised green paper appears to have been kicked beyond the long grass and into dense thicket, and it’s beyond…
The news that teacher numbers were down in 2017, as measured by the DfE’s School Workforce Census, doesn’t tell the whole story, says Oxfordshire Councillor John Howson.
What next for local government finance? This week we discuss our newest publication, the Local Finance Scorecard, in which we explore the options for sustainable funding post-2020. Plus the highlights from our subscriber-only Daily News service and policy briefings, including developers being given power to overwrite local plans, the delayed…