Local Government Chronicle
8 March 2012
View all stories from this issue.
-
‘Place' offers exit from top-down trap
First a confession. When I was a chief executive, I can’t say I took too much notice of parish and town councils. Why would I? Far too many organisational things to deal with … in a real council. -
Agency to harness bulk-buying power
What do the government’s ambitions to involve pension funds in the funding of infrastructure, the squeeze on local public sector finances, and the urgency on promoting local economic growth have in common? -
Benefiting from accountability
When the government announced the demise of the standards regime, there were fears about the new light-touch approach. Lord Bichard’s amendment ensured that councils were required to adopt a code of conduct for members. -
Comment - on pay and Twitter
It’s comforting to know that the unions now agree with us that national bargaining is under threat. The national employers have been warning about this for a number of years. Our perspective is that the unions sowed the seeds for our current difficulties over the decade up to 2010. -
Commission calls for evidence
The Commission on the Future of Local Government is exploring changes needed to underpin a fundamental rethink of te role, purpose and activities of councils. It has identified several key themes that can catalyse and enable this change and is asking councils to share their experiences by submitting evidence. -
CTB ‘step too far' in current context
Before I start, I should make it clear that I am a staunch supporter of localism and devolution of powers and responsibilities to local government. But, just because something has a version of ‘local’ in its title, doesn’t mean it’s localism. ‘Localisation of council tax support’ for me falls into that bracket. -
Family focus at heart of child safety
In April, I become the President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS). As if that will not be enough to add to my day job I have also agreed to write regular articles for LGC on children’s services issues. These two activities are not unconnected. -
Four building blocks for change
Local government and the environment in which it operates are currently undergoing a period of huge transformation. A range of international and domestic issues – political, economic and social – are the catalyst for a fundamental rethink of its role, purpose and activity. -
Inside Out - Local priorities
I’ve heard some of my senior colleagues discussing this column without knowing it is yours truly who pens it. They accused the author of having a political agenda and ranting against the government! -
LGC View - Commission for the Future of Local Government
Leeds City Council set up the Commission on the Future of Local Government last year to explore how the role, functions and structure of councils needs to change to best position them for the future. -
Local vs national on taxation
Director, Greater London Group, London School of Economics -
Members and officers clash over standards codes choice
Senior members and officers are at loggerheads over standards in local government when the existing regime comes to an end. -
Members of the Commission for the Future of Local Government
LGC supports the Commission for the Future of Local Government. Editor Emma Maier is among the commissioners and LGC is pleased to promote the commission’s work. We urge readers to take part and submit evidence. Here are the commissioners: -
Open data is first step to transparency
The open data movement is making the decisions and performance of public agencies available for scrutiny by a wide range of actors. It is potentially transparency on a massive scale -
Questions catalyst for care solutions
With all the news coverage regarding changes to the NHS it would be easy to see the NHS and its issues as a unique problem that requires a unique solution. -
Sharing damned as costly failure
Sharing back office services in Whitehall has been an expensive failure and local government should learn from the civil service’s errors, the National Audit Office has said. -
Talks hit deadlock as unions discuss industrial action
Unions and local government employers are in deadlock over pay, with both sides refusing to return to the negotiating table after the LGA announced a pay freeze for the third year. -
The ambition of Healthwatch
Last week, the Commission on Improving Dignity in Care published recommendations on how hospitals and care homes can tackle the causes of below-standard care. Delivering high-quality care is a key priority for both national and local government. The care and support white paper, due for publication this spring, will set out plans for reforming the system to ensure that it is able to meet the care needs of our changing society. -
United local view vital for role share
Mutual trust between political leaders and equal attention to individual councils are said to be vital in making a success of shared chief executives.
