LocalGov’s Post

Check out my latest on government problem solving in the May Municipality magazine (page 6). Thanks to the Wisconsin League of Municipalities for letting me write this! https://lnkd.in/guCb3Qhc

⏱ Just a couple days remain to share your thoughts on what issues are affecting you. 🏛️ Topics such as the Levelling Up Fund, Southern Water, Operation Brock and the cost of living have been considered in the council chamber in recent years. ℹ Click here to submit your suggestions ➡ https://lnkd.in/exq6aVN4

Learn how “governance” works ……

Mission-driven government: delivering for the British public in an age of distrust and disruption. This paper seeks to set out how future UK governments should approach modernising the state to deliver effectively for and rebuild trust with citizens. This work is based on a literature review of relevant research and over 30 interviews with experts from across the government, including current and previous civil servants and advisors. #mission #government #servicedelivery

Parish councils are an important part of England’s local governance jigsaw and often overlooked. The viral story of Jackie Weaver and Handforth council sadly played to the worst stereotype of parish council meetings. But that image doesn’t do justice to the parish councils who play an important role in looking after local environments and building pride in their communities. Given 91% of England’s land is covered by a parish council they deserve closer scrutiny and thought to their future. In this excellent report by my colleagues at IPPR North they describe what works and what doesn’t about the current parish council model then outline a series of reforms that could put them at the forefront of democratic innovation in England. These suggestions including introducing votes at 16 and the use of electronic voting. Combined their recommendations would address issues of participation, representation, powers, funding, coverage and cooperation between different tiers of government. #parishcouncil #localgovernment #democracy Read the report here👇 https://lnkd.in/dtjgY3yG

For PEI municipalities & planning professionals, it is important to consider decisions made by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. Lawyers in our Charlottetown office provide a summary of decisions from 2023 and their implications on the year ahead. https://bit.ly/41ugMf3

https://lnkd.in/em3rQx52 As more and more services filter down to Parish and Town councils we need to ask what capacity do the lower councils and smaller councils have to fill the gaps left by principle authorities?

Following revisions to the NPPF Charnwood Borough Council have confirmed a 3.54 year supply of housing based on a 4 year requirement (over a 4 year period - the Zack Simons interpretation of the NPPF wording) and paragraph 11d remains engaged (Plans Committee Papers for 25th January). One of the first authorities to undertake the new calculation and publicly declare it. The emerging Local Plan remains at Examination with additional Hearing sessions scheduled to commence on 22 February. https://lnkd.in/emeCJtKZ #planning #nppf #housinglandsupply

What does 2024 look like for local authorities? Here are just a few of the headlines I've seen in the last week: "Councils in crisis", "Local government's reputation is at stake", "Council bankruptcy tracker". This article is a welcome reminder that officers and members in local government are working hard to build resilient and resourceful councils, but that increasingly there simply isn't enough money. Councils are facing staggering levels of debt, ever shrinking budgets and increased demand. Cuts to council funding from central government may have had some impact on the national deficit, but they have transferred debt, blame and impact onto local authorities. For residents they will see their council tax rise and their services decrease in availability or quality. Councils have and will continue to be at the forefront of innovation, striving to find ways to maintain services with vastly reduced budgets, absorbing significant risk in the process. While officers and members are working hard to maintain support for services, for communities that they care deeply about, it is not surprising that residents are frustrated. This week I'm thinking about - how can councils engage in honest conversations with residents in their area about the challenges they face? (Great examples of this in Oxfordshire with a budget simulator run by Carole Stow's team) What examples of innovation and survival can we see around the country? (I've been interested to read about Barnsley Council who won council of the year 2023 for their transformative approach to place-based decision-making)

Explore IPPR's report on defining and implementing a mission-driven government. The study reviews past reforms and suggests innovative approaches for the upcoming government to tackle key challenges like economic inequality and public service inefficiencies. It advocates for a proactive, mission-oriented civil service to effectively address these issues. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/ebCDa8dG