A test of endurance
It is nearly half a century since the last wholesale review of English local government in 1973 created a pattern of county and constituent district councils. Much has happened since then, of course.
The end of austerity for addiction services?
For decades, local authorities have held lead responsibility for commissioning services to provide care and recovery for people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction.
Building safety: testing review and new regulator
The Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, has announced the establishment of a new national construction products regulator to ensure homes are built using safe materials.
Transforming estates in a post-pandemic world – Advertorial
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a major shift in focus for the public sector. As local authorities develop plans to support the UK’s recovery, the role of estates transformation has become more significant than ever before.
Leading on change
What lessons can be learned from the introduction of emergency transport measures during the pandemic?
Local elections preview
The unprecedented decision to stage two cycles of English local elections at the same time means that we need to focus on the contrasting past outcomes in two separate years to make any sense of what might happen this May.
‘Catch-up’ education programme needs rethink
Education inequalities and learning gaps have been exacerbated by the pandemic to such an extent that they are unlikely to be solved by a quick “catch-up” initiative, the LGA has warned.
Right to Buy reforms ‘to increase new homes’
The Government has set out a series of reforms to the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme for tenants wishing to buy their council houses, after years of campaigning by the LGA.
Taking a local approach
Friends, this is my last column ahead of the local elections and our group elections that follow.
Disabled people at risk
Nearly six out of every 10 people who died with coronavirus in England last year were disabled, official figures suggest.