http://www.lgcplus.com http://www.lgcplus.com http://www.lgcplus.com/magazine/graphics/logo.png http://www.lgcplus.com http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-integration-holy-grail-can-be-found/5058645.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-integration-holy-grail-can-be-found/5058645.article The stars may be finally aligned in favour of integration of health and social care, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/a-challenge-for-new-ukip-councillors/5058334.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/a-challenge-for-new-ukip-councillors/5058334.article Ukip must learn that Brussels is not the only power-hungry tier of government threatening British people’s ability to take decisions in their own interests, says Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/osborne-is-stifling-local-solutions-to-builders-woes/5057816.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/osborne-is-stifling-local-solutions-to-builders-woes/5057816.article Rental income should be spent on housebuilding, maintenance and improvement, says Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/time-for-local-solutions-to-the-worklessness-problem/5057492.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/time-for-local-solutions-to-the-worklessness-problem/5057492.article If the Work Programme’s performance remains dire, this must be seen as a D-day by ministers, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:40 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-nation-needs-a-new-thatcher-a-localist-one/5057212.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-nation-needs-a-new-thatcher-a-localist-one/5057212.article We need someone with the vision and determination to go against the grain of conventional wisdom and the grumbles of vested interests to take difficult decisions in the national interest, says Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/any-precedent-set-in-doncaster-could-be-repeated-elsewhere/5056765.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/any-precedent-set-in-doncaster-could-be-repeated-elsewhere/5056765.article Michael Gove must show how any change to children’s services amounts to more than a kneejerk reaction to one particular case, says Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/local-can-succeed-where-the-centre-has-failed-on-growth/5056331.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/local-can-succeed-where-the-centre-has-failed-on-growth/5056331.article Now is the time for Whitehall to allow others to implement fresh solutions to providing new jobs and growth, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:15 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-nhs-status-quo-must-not-be-championed/5056061.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-nhs-status-quo-must-not-be-championed/5056061.article It is time for brave local leaders to admit that sometimes district hospitals will decline, says Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Wed, 13 Mar 2013 10:59 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/social-care-investment-could-ease-the-deficit/5055790.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/social-care-investment-could-ease-the-deficit/5055790.article At this time of spiralling demand money needs to be invested in services to reduce the burden on the NHS, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 7 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/discontent-is-set-to-grow/5055447.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/discontent-is-set-to-grow/5055447.article It becomes ever more apparent that the issue of terms and conditions should have been tackled in the years of plenty, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/council-tax-and-democracy-dodgers/5055133.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/council-tax-and-democracy-dodgers/5055133.article Rather than obsessing over referendum triggers, now should be the time that we cast rules aside, writes Nick Golding nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/welfare-reform-and-housing-investment/5054922.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/welfare-reform-and-housing-investment/5054922.article Once again, councils are being hamstrung in the pursuit of growth, writes Dan Drillsma-Milgrom Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/local-governments-future-role-in-schools/5054581.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/local-governments-future-role-in-schools/5054581.article Councils won’t like the government’s emerging vision of their role in education Thu, 7 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/councils-have-a-right-to-feel-aggrieved/5054287.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/councils-have-a-right-to-feel-aggrieved/5054287.article Leader - A report from the NAO sheds some light on the unrealistic expectations coming from the Department for Education Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/long-way-to-go-before-councils-run-the-nhs/5053926.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/long-way-to-go-before-councils-run-the-nhs/5053926.article Leader - Andy Burnham’s proposals are bold but councils mustn’t have their heads turned from the good work they’re already doing Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/councils-must-rise-to-the-challenge-on-public-health/5053642.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/councils-must-rise-to-the-challenge-on-public-health/5053642.article In addition to improving health and wellbeing, this public health role could save public sector money nick.golding@emap.com (Nick Golding) Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/barring-councillors-from-lgps-an-inconsistent-policy/5053403.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/barring-councillors-from-lgps-an-inconsistent-policy/5053403.article Leader - Ministers have got themselves into a pickle by trying to square the notion of ‘volunteer’ councillors with the realities of running a local authority Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/local-government-through-the-looking-glass/5051665.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/local-government-through-the-looking-glass/5051665.article Leader - An assessment of Whitehall’s track record on decentralisation gives an insight into the Lewis Carroll-like world of central government Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/are-councils-hoarding-too-much-in-reserves/5051664.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/are-councils-hoarding-too-much-in-reserves/5051664.article The Audit Commission’s latest assessment of council reserves fundamentally undermines local government’s defence of reserve levels Thu, 6 Dec 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/ofsteds-annual-report/5051455.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/ofsteds-annual-report/5051455.article Ofsted’s plans to create regional directors of education throws up important questions about the independence of inspections Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/police-and-crime-commissioner-policy/5051288.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/police-and-crime-commissioner-policy/5051288.article Amidst high levels of voter disengagement, the focus should be on designing policy experiments that make sense, not questioning mandates Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/beating-an-uncomfortable-path/5050879.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/beating-an-uncomfortable-path/5050879.article The situation at West Somerset is unprecedented. How the sector - and government - reacts is all important Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/government-needs-to-act-as-if-growth-is-the-top-priority/5050688.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/government-needs-to-act-as-if-growth-is-the-top-priority/5050688.article There is growing anger at the way councils are being pulled in different directions by government departments Thu, 8 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/councils-and-education-reform/5050592.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/councils-and-education-reform/5050592.article After David Laws’ speech last week, the sector can allow itself some quiet self-congratulation Thu, 1 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/moving-forward-with-community-budget-pilots/5050279.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/moving-forward-with-community-budget-pilots/5050279.article Deputy editor Dan Drillsma-Milgrom ponders how to judge the work of the community budget pilots Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/let-councils-set-their-own-locally-appropriate-priorities/5049888.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/let-councils-set-their-own-locally-appropriate-priorities/5049888.article The new council tax funding pot is a sticking plaster solution. It is another sad example of guided localism Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/looking-for-mediocre-try-parliament/5049877.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/looking-for-mediocre-try-parliament/5049877.article Claims that councils are run by ‘mediocre’ people belies the average MP’s knowledge of local government Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/will-reform-fix-council-tax/5049319.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/will-reform-fix-council-tax/5049319.article The localist principle seems to clash head on with the government’s policy that work should always pay Thu, 4 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/a-torrid-christmas-for-council-treasurers/5049305.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/a-torrid-christmas-for-council-treasurers/5049305.article Councils’ track record simply marks them out in the eyes of the Treasury as suckers for punishment Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/pickles-poll-tax/5048458.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/pickles-poll-tax/5048458.article Areas such as London where council tax benefit is particularly important look set to suffer badly Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/failings-of-the-regional-growth-fund/5048210.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/failings-of-the-regional-growth-fund/5048210.article Councils have a long track record of funding businesses to support their local economies: it is time government recognised this Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/after-lansley/5048963.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/after-lansley/5048963.article The reshuffling of Andrew Lansley is potentially the most significant sacking of a health secretary in living memory, writes Health Service Journal editor Alastair McLellan Wed, 5 Sep 2012 10:56 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/pickles-stays-but-lansley-goes/5047861.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/pickles-stays-but-lansley-goes/5047861.article What the reshuffle means for councils Tue, 4 Sep 2012 17:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/responsibility-and-accountability-lying-with-councils/5047032.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/responsibility-and-accountability-lying-with-councils/5047032.article The government’s localism commitment must apply across the board, including audit and improvement Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/recalibrating-public-expectations/5047031.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/recalibrating-public-expectations/5047031.article Curiously, there has been little focus on collaborative procurement more generally Thu, 9 Aug 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/collaborating-to-boost-capacity/5047030.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/collaborating-to-boost-capacity/5047030.article There are good reasons as to why councils may be choosing this time to invest in central services Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/business-rate-retention/5047029.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/business-rate-retention/5047029.article The presence of districts at both ends of the spectrum illustrates their considerably varying position Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/allocating-public-health-funding/5045924.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/allocating-public-health-funding/5045924.article With more emphasis than ever on prevention and early intervention, it is crucial that the funding formula is right Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/a-chance-for-central-and-local-government-to-achieve-together/5045653.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/a-chance-for-central-and-local-government-to-achieve-together/5045653.article The troubled families programme will demonstrate better outcomes come from working collegiately Thu, 5 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-figures-support-the-scary-prognosis-for-councils/5045499.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-figures-support-the-scary-prognosis-for-councils/5045499.article Quite apart from the financial crisis, the government could be sleepwalking into a democratic crisis Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/funding-public-health-and-the-value-of-public-servants/5044886.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/funding-public-health-and-the-value-of-public-servants/5044886.article Important factors such as demographic and population change must also be sufficiently accounted for Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/finding-common-ground-on-terms-and-conditions/5044642.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/finding-common-ground-on-terms-and-conditions/5044642.article Pension negotiations were characterised by a collaborative approach. Terms and conditions will prove a battleground Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/spotting-problems/5044121.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/spotting-problems/5044121.article Social care is clearly the greatest funding pressure facing councils in the short, medium and long term Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/living-up-to-the-localism-rhetoric/5042513.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/living-up-to-the-localism-rhetoric/5042513.article Suggestions that reserves could be used to bail out revenue spending budgets are more attempts to play to the press Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/localism-does-not-mean-isolation/5043455.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/localism-does-not-mean-isolation/5043455.article The plans to abolish locally set school funding criteria raise fears for small rural schools and illustrate the government’s confused thinking on localism Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/showing-leadership-on-social-care/5043441.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/showing-leadership-on-social-care/5043441.article The starting point is the Dilnot report. The government should not throw the baby out with the bathwater Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/educate-excite-and-engage/5043062.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/educate-excite-and-engage/5043062.article Driving down interest in local democracy will ultimately hurt democracy nationally Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/holding-up-a-mirror/5043049.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/holding-up-a-mirror/5043049.article Councils must avoid isolationism and surround themselves with context from other sources Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/collaboration-towards-combined-authorities/5042535.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/collaboration-towards-combined-authorities/5042535.article Manchester and Leeds highlight the importance government places on collaboration across economic areas Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-need-for-financial-innovation/5042499.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-need-for-financial-innovation/5042499.article Departmental expenditure limits will be reduced at a faster rate between 2015 and 2017 Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/continuing-to-find-savings/5042374.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/continuing-to-find-savings/5042374.article The sector will bear the brunt and the next settlement will be tougher than the last Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/councils-role-in-education/5042385.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/councils-role-in-education/5042385.article Councils are clearly committed to their responsibilities but they now have few levers to pull to pursue their goals Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/corporate-core/governance/benefiting-from-accountability/5041598.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/corporate-core/governance/benefiting-from-accountability/5041598.article A code of conduct is part of being transparent and accountable and should serve to boost trust in local politics Thu, 8 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/sleepwalking-on-pay-negotiations/5041505.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/sleepwalking-on-pay-negotiations/5041505.article Understanding causation is important in assessing the implications of a breakdown in national bargaining Thu, 1 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-era-of-the-city-region/5041201.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-era-of-the-city-region/5041201.article Now it appears the government is moving towards ‘selective guided localism’ where a favoured few benefit Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/no-love-lost-on-council-tax/5040943.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/no-love-lost-on-council-tax/5040943.article The council tax freeze funding offer contained the simple phrase: ‘The scheme will be voluntary.’ Except apparently it won’t Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/being-localist-whilst-in-power-as-well-as-when-in-opposition/5040634.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/being-localist-whilst-in-power-as-well-as-when-in-opposition/5040634.article The government’s decision to distribute funding on a historic basis risks embedding health inequalities Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/time-for-a-more-grown-up-relationship/5040627.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/time-for-a-more-grown-up-relationship/5040627.article Councils are left with the choice of reducing support to vulnerable groups or making service cuts elsewhere Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-public-health-skeleton-needs-fleshing-out/5040262.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-public-health-skeleton-needs-fleshing-out/5040262.article Lansley’s framework lacks crucial detail Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/local-spending-priorities-and-the-necessary-income-to-fund-them/5039859.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/local-spending-priorities-and-the-necessary-income-to-fund-them/5039859.article It simply makes less sense to accept the government’s tax freeze offer, so several councils are planning a rise Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/chief-role-more-not-less-important/5039331.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/chief-role-more-not-less-important/5039331.article To remove the politically sensitive chief executive job title while keeping the role panders to public misconceptions Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/devolving-power-to-cities/5038611.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/devolving-power-to-cities/5038611.article The process was described to me as ‘easing, extruding, little bits of power out of Whitehall’ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/a-busy-end-to-the-year/5038468.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/a-busy-end-to-the-year/5038468.article With the ‘city deals’, more seems to be known about the requirements on the cities than the goodies on offer Thu, 8 Dec 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/treading-a-fine-line/5038213.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/treading-a-fine-line/5038213.article Painting councils as valiant martyrs is not a good idea. Neither is arguing the sector is cracking under the pressure Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/its-not-the-time-to-run-without-a-chief/5037860.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/its-not-the-time-to-run-without-a-chief/5037860.article At a time of significant change strategy evolves month by month. Without a chief that will be a great challenge Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/inconvenient-truths/5037455.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/inconvenient-truths/5037455.article The title of the Audit Commission’s latest report says it all: Tough Times Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-challenge-of-increasing-local-democratic-engagement/5037143.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-challenge-of-increasing-local-democratic-engagement/5037143.article In straitened times only a democratic structure has the legitimacy to make difficult decisions over resources Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/an-opportunity-for-local-government-and-the-lga/5036787.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/an-opportunity-for-local-government-and-the-lga/5036787.article The LGA is facing the need to evaluate its priorities and purposes, and balance its potential competing roles Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/concerns-over-localising-business-rates/5036528.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/concerns-over-localising-business-rates/5036528.article The proceeds of growth must remain in the local government system rather than being clawed back by the Treasury Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/positioning-councils-as-a-solution-to-problems/5036070.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/positioning-councils-as-a-solution-to-problems/5036070.article The ‘whole place’ pilots should be thought of as part of the government’s focus on public sector reform Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-illusion-of-local-discretion/5035746.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-illusion-of-local-discretion/5035746.article Ministers have led the sector to a cliff edge and given it the freedom to walk forward Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-politics-of-council-tax/5035438.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-politics-of-council-tax/5035438.article Authorities that were minded to freeze council tax next year anyway will be happy for the extra cash Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-appropriate-level-for-decisions/5034960.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-appropriate-level-for-decisions/5034960.article Equity demands decisions on whether an apple or a pear is funded. Councils are best placed to make these decisions Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/community-budgets-and-restructuring/5034399.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/community-budgets-and-restructuring/5034399.article It is a coup for the secretary of state that the family recovery unit will sit in DCLG rather than elsewhere Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/a-lack-of-transparency-over-business-rates/5034388.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/a-lack-of-transparency-over-business-rates/5034388.article Focus fell on the extent to which local need is a guiding principle, against a desire to maintain stability Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-two-key-challenges-for-commuity-budgets/5034144.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-two-key-challenges-for-commuity-budgets/5034144.article Without pooled budgets and without action to compel other partners to take part, councils are set up to fail Thu, 8 Sep 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-right-course-of-action/5033659.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-right-course-of-action/5033659.article Wranglings between the council and unions in Plymouth are a precursor to an even greater challenge Thu, 1 Sep 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/assets-and-incentives/5033047.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/assets-and-incentives/5033047.article The consultation sets out plans for councils to foot the bill for compensating asset owners Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/schools-out-but-do-you-lose-out/5032670.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/schools-out-but-do-you-lose-out/5032670.article It is not only the school-holiday timing of the academy consultation that has raised eyebrows Thu, 4 Aug 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/the-complexities-of-the-finance-system/5032204.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/the-complexities-of-the-finance-system/5032204.article Initial document on localising business rates seems to have done little to quell fears Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/acting-responsibly/5031939.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/acting-responsibly/5031939.article A number of partners, whether from the private or voluntary sectors, may fail and close Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/respect-for-public-servants/5031630.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/respect-for-public-servants/5031630.article Stark figures show chiefs and directors are more vulnerable than ever Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/cameron-signals-ongoing-friction-with-councils/5031261.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/cameron-signals-ongoing-friction-with-councils/5031261.article The first appearance by a PM at the LGA conference doesn’t disguise his message Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:52 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/community-budgets-achieving-against-the-odds/5030500.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/community-budgets-achieving-against-the-odds/5030500.article Having scaled back Total Place, government now wants to scale up Community Budgets Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/continuing-to-push-local-agendas/5030469.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/continuing-to-push-local-agendas/5030469.article Local government must ensure that the importance of local accountability remains on the national agenda Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/democractic-accountability-key-to-localism/5030303.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/democractic-accountability-key-to-localism/5030303.article Decisions should be devolved as close to the community as possible. Very often, that level is local government Thu, 9 Jun 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/questions-remain-after-shoesmith-ruling/5030211.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/questions-remain-after-shoesmith-ruling/5030211.article Accountability should empower staff to make the decisions they need to. All too often, it is used as a byword for blame Thu, 2 Jun 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/fairness-is-a-key-principle-for-reform/5029328.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/fairness-is-a-key-principle-for-reform/5029328.article Fairness is a key principle for reform Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/rising-above-the-politics-to-be-a-constructive-partner/5028963.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/rising-above-the-politics-to-be-a-constructive-partner/5028963.article The crux for councils is that the combative approach has paid off for both Tories and Labour Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/resource-review-rising-to-the-challenge/5028595.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/resource-review-rising-to-the-challenge/5028595.article Without common ground, the risk looms large of sleepwalking into another opaque four-block model Thu, 5 May 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/earning-respect-in-the-sector/5028242.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/earning-respect-in-the-sector/5028242.article There are policies where ministers could push for meaningful reform that could save money and improve services Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-virtue-of-statutory-guidance/5027911.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/the-virtue-of-statutory-guidance/5027911.article Replacing 56 pages of guidance with a single page seems laudable, but is it necessary at all? Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/reserves-a-local-question/5027817.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/reserves-a-local-question/5027817.article Pickles’ reserve raid wish comes true - but will it come back to bite him? Thu, 7 Apr 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/bylaws-promise-is-latest-localism-test/5027556.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/bylaws-promise-is-latest-localism-test/5027556.article Ministers could be renaging on a promise to allow councils to make and scrap bylaws Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/making-the-grade-on-service-delivery/5027092.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/making-the-grade-on-service-delivery/5027092.article Southern Cross shows the new world of risk that must be managed in the new world of arm’s length service provision Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/cuts-localism-and-incentives/5026634.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/cuts-localism-and-incentives/5026634.article For all its focus on incentives, government has not managed to encourage inter-agency working Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/community-budgets/5026187.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/community-budgets/5026187.article The new ministerial group launched to boost community based budgets is welcome, if belated Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/business-rates-a-test-for-localism/5025861.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/business-rates-a-test-for-localism/5025861.article Freeing councils to use business rate discounts to attract employers could benefit councils, residents and the economy Thu, 3 Mar 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/balancing-a-drive-for-change-with-a-commitment-to-localism/5025451.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/balancing-a-drive-for-change-with-a-commitment-to-localism/5025451.article The focus on efficiency means public sector bodies tend towards a smaller number of larger contracts Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00 GMT http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/corporate-core/finance/reaching-the-limitations-of-community-based-budgets/5024795.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/corporate-core/finance/reaching-the-limitations-of-community-based-budgets/5024795.article In the final year of the Labour government, ministers woke up to the possibilities of joined-up working Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00 GMT