Building communities
The Government has an ambitious target of building 300,000 homes a year. While these homes are much needed in many areas, the fundamental importance of building communities is often forgotten.
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Making progress on devolution
Away from COVID-19, the future of the Union and devolution within it made some news headlines recently, with new polling showing increased support for Scottish independence and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown setting out his thoughts on the issues.
Countering extremism
The past months have, of course, been dominated by our collective efforts in response to COVID-19.
A packed agenda for the year ahead
Happy new year! I hope everyone was able to take a break over the festive period.
Vital council role in rolling out vaccinations
After all that we endured in 2020, I hope that first readers managed to enjoy a well-deserved break during Christmas and are feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges that 2021 will no doubt bring.
Teaching about black history
This autumn saw a groundbreaking change in how Hackney teaches young people about black history, with the aim to inspire the whole of the UK.
Showing leadership in uncertain times
It’s been yet another period of rapid developments affecting local government, and I was reminded once again of the phenomenal work that councils have been delivering for months on end, in some of the most uncertain times many of us have ever known.
Successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
As I write this article, we are in another national lockdown to bring the new coronavirus variant under control, which has been spreading very quickly.
Turning the tide on the pandemic?
As I write this, I never thought I would be so pleased to see the back of a year as I am 2020.
Devolution or divination?
Devolution, like reorganisation, is a zombie issue – not really alive but not fully dead and refusing to do either properly.