Local Government Chronicle - Latest Opinion http://www.lgcplus.com http://www.lgcplus.com http://www.lgcplus.com/magazine/graphics/logo.png Local Government Chronicle http://www.lgcplus.com Michael White: two cheers for the Queen's Speech http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/michael-white-two-cheers-for-the-queens-speech/5058831.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/michael-white-two-cheers-for-the-queens-speech/5058831.article The Queen’s Speech elicited a lacklustre response from MPs, who focussed on waylaying health tourism at passport control, writes Guardian and Health Service Journal columnist Michael White Fri, 17 May 2013 16:55 GMT Francis demands more honesty from the NHS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/francis-demands-more-honesty-from-the-nhs/5058830.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/briefings/joint-working/health/francis-demands-more-honesty-from-the-nhs/5058830.article The barrister who led the Mid Staffordshire inquiry demands honesty from the NHS, but “the truth” is often in the eye of the beholder, writes Alastair McLellan, editor of LGC’s sister title Health Service Journal Fri, 17 May 2013 16:54 GMT Inside Out: Being fair to Ukip http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/inside-out-being-fair-to-ukip/5058529.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/inside-out-being-fair-to-ukip/5058529.article A new political dynamic, sometimes with no leading party, can make for interesting times for senior officers, writes LGC’s Insider Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00 GMT A pressing case for county-focused local growth deals http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/a-pressing-case-for-county-focused-local-growth-deals/5058386.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/a-pressing-case-for-county-focused-local-growth-deals/5058386.article There is a real danger that the rollout of growth deals nationally will lack the creativity of the two waves of city deals, says CCN chairman Robert Gordon Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00 GMT Shared leadership towards improved health and wellbeing outcomes http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/shared-leadership-towards-improved-health-and-wellbeing-outcomes/5058733.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/shared-leadership-towards-improved-health-and-wellbeing-outcomes/5058733.article Peer challenge is an effective way to get to the heart of issues and develop practical solutions, says Joyce Redfearn Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00 GMT Mediawatch: Sexing up single person's discount http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/mediawatch-sexing-up-single-persons-discount/5058448.article?referrer=RSS http://www.lgcplus.com/opinion/mediawatch-sexing-up-single-persons-discount/5058448.article Recent news reports will leave councils hoping for greater council tax freedom feeling deflated kaye.wiggins@emap.com (Kaye Wiggins) Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00 GMT