LGC in the media 2010

LGC’s mentions in the media during 2010.

December 2010

• The localism bill “is scheduled for this week, next week, sometime, never and the timing of the local government funding settlement is also in doubt. Allister Hayman’s LGC blogpost, All I want for Christmas is a localism bill tracks the saga”. Society Daily credited Allister Hayman’s blog, The Guardian, 9 December, 2010.
• “This blogpost from Local Government Chronicle chief reporter Allister Hayman, on the “farce” of communities and local government questions, which tries to get to the bottom of politicians’ claims and counterclaims about town hall finance.” Society Daily credited Allister Hayman’s blog, The Guardian, 2 December, 2010.

November 2010

• “Spending cuts will hammer working class areas in the North as Tory councils in the South get funding boost”. News article draws on LGC’s exclusive reportin the 25 November issue showing that the bulk of the hardest-hit upper and lower authorities in England following the spending review are among the 20% most deprived - Sunday Mirror, 28 November
• “Further clues as to Government thinking came in a fascinating piece in the Local Government Chronicle which suggested that Treasury officials have pressured ministers on (RDA) assets” LGC’s magazine and online articles on the establishment of local enterprise partnerships continue to lead media coverage of government policy – Birmingham Post, 25 November  
• “An excellent blogpost which asks if ministers have “lost the plot” on council cuts. A thorough examination of ministerial spin, whimsy and wishful thinking” Society Daily credited Allister Hayman’s blog, The Guardian, 23 November 2010.
• ‘Pickles’ podium clash with Mayor Jules Pipe’; LGC’s report about the debate between Eric Pickles and Hackney’s elected mayor at London Councils Summit, supported by LGC, was widely cover in other media, Hackney Gazette, 19 November 2010
• “How can we improve the way older people and those with disabilities are looked after in order to have a full life?”; LGC was referenced in a special programme in the ‘care in the UK’ season on You and Yours, with care minister Paul Burstow BBC Radio 4, 16 November 2010
• “Has communities secretary Eric Pickles been economical with the truth? That’s the question Allister Hayman of Local Government Chronicle asks in this intriguing blogpost looking at certain claims Pickles made about housing benefit during his rancorous London Councils’ speech last weekend” Society Daily credited Allister Hayman’s blog, The Guardian, 12 November 2010.
• “Some would say the secretary of state was always going to be on a hiding to nothing, speaking to a hostile audience of Labour councillors… it all turned out rather discordant” Society Daily credited Allister Hayman’s blog, The Guardian, 10 November 2010

October 2010

• Confusion over city mayor plan; ‘Clarification needed’ on mayor plan - Bristol Evening Post also picked up Dan Drillsma-Milgrom’s story about retrospective mayor referendums, 13 October 2010
• Regional economic plans in disarray; Plans for regional economy risk descending into ‘mess’ - The Western Morning News also followed up Allister Hayman’s exclusive ERDF report, 11 October 2010
• Scheme for jobs may end in chaos; Fears for enterprise partnership plan - The Western Daily Press followed up Allister Hayman’s exclusive report on ministers’ plans to give the green light to 22 LEPs, 11 October 2010
• City ‘fails to make first cut’ in LEPs; HULL: Partnership bid looks in doubt - The Hull Daily Mail, also picked up Allistyer Hayman’s LEPs exclusive, 11 October 2010
• Leaked document favours Tees bid - The Evening Gazette also cover the LEPs story, 8 October 2010
• City mayors ‘to be imposed’ - The Birmingham Postpicked up Dan Drillsma-Milgrom’s article revealing that retrospective referendums would be held after mayors had been put in, 8 October
• North could be missing out on regeneration cash - Chief report Allister Hayman’s exclusive report on a threat to ERDF regional investment cash picked up and quoted by the Journal in the north-east on 4 October and subsequently The Northern Echo.
• Rugby leader’s chief executive responsibilities - Management reporter Ruth Keeling updates BBC Coventry and Warwickshire on 1 October on Rugby BC’s decision not to replace their chief executive.

August 2010

• Rugby leader takes on chief executive responsibilities - Management reporter Ruth Keeling speaks to BBC Coventry and Warwickshire on 3 August to discuss Rugby BC’s decision not to replace their chief executive.

June 2010

• £12m infrastructure funding at risk- Chief reporter Allister Hayman’s exclusive investigation showing which projects were at risk in the government’s review of spending committments since the start of the year was picked up across the local and regional media. He gave interviews to BBC Radio York, BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Three Counties, BBC Radio London and ITV East Anglia on 9 and 10 June.

May 2010

• General Election coverage - Dan Drillsma-Milgrom was interviewed by a BBC TV news reporter for an election report on local government and the election - 3 May 2010
• Equal pay - Emma Maier was interviewed by BBC Midlands Today for a TV report on the implications of the legal decision on equal pay at Birmingham City Council.

April 2010

• Doncaster - Audit Commission report - BBC Radio Sheffield, 20 April 2010 (34 minutes in; may not be available after 27 April 2010) Deputy editor (news) Dan Drillsma-Milgrom was interviewed on The Toby Foster Bigger at Breakfast Show
• Council to co-ordinate Afghanistan postal votes - LGC exclusive report from 8 April 2010. Following a request from the Ministry of Justice, Rushmoor BC - home to a number of army barracks - has agreed to become a clearing house for all postal votes from Afghanistan. Our report was picked up by theBBC. It was carried online and on BBC regional news and BBC local news.
• Council Tax Collection - Deputy editor (news) Dan Drillsma-Milgrom was interviewed on The Breakfast Show with Rod Whiting on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, 9 April 2010.
• Local elections coinciding with general elections - Deputy editor (news) Dan Drillsma-Milgrom was interviewed on Andy Comfort’s Breakfast Show. BBC Radio Lincolnshire, 9 April 2010.

2009

December 2009

• Senior pay - LGC editor Emma Maier gave an interview to BBC radio Leeds on the topic of council chief executive pay, after Leeds City Council advertised for a chief executive. After discussing the role, responsibilities and tasks of an average council chief, the presenter commented that the salary sounded attractive but it was a sginificant job for which most people would not be qualified.

October 2009

• Poll changes mooted to save millions - LGC exclusive report from 29 October 2009. Civil servants were considering radical proposals to save millions of pounds from the cost of running elections by cutting polling stations and voting hours and increasing deposits. Our report was picked up by The Times before the policy was thrown out by the Justice Secretary Jack Straw.