Features archive - January 2008

• Council huggers required

  Local authorities are performing better than ever – yet rarely get the credit from local residents for the good services they are providing. The LGA’s Ben Dudley outlines how to improve your council’s reputation.

  Added on: 31 January 2008

• Making homes happen

  Sir Bob Kerslake has helped Sheffield city council become a top performing authority. He talks to Alison Purdy about turning his hand to tackling England’s housing crisis.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• first look: pedal power

  The number of people cycling across the River Tyne has risen dramatically since the opening of the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The world's first - and only - tilting bridge opened in 2001 linking Gateshead with Newcastle.

  Added on: 21 January 2008

• Qualifications for councillors

  Is it time for a McA-level for elected members? Cllr Rory Palmer argues that councillors should make sure their skills are properly accredited and valued beyond the world of local government.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• Focus on the East Midlands

  Janet Beaumont, chief executive of Local Government East Midlands, takes a look at how the region is ensuring the challenge of workforce development is met in the future.

  Added on: 31 January 2008

• LGA in the news

  Millions of people last week heard local government’s views on its tough financial position after the LGA launched its snapshot survey of council tax rises.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• On the radar

  Councils are helping put vulnerable children and their families in the spotlight, writes Louise Franklin, of Every Disabled Child Matters.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• A day in the life - Cllr Clyde Loakes (Lab), Leader, Waltham Forest Council

  A typical day sees me get to the town hall at around 7.30am. This lets me catch up on emails and paperwork with my ipod for company, and officers know that they can stick their head around the door if they need to.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• First look: Say no!

  More than 4,000 residents have registered their support for the ‘Say no to Heathrow expansion’ campaign designed by Hounslow council’s corporate communications team and supported by 11 other local authorities.

  Added on: 30 January 2008

• Eyeing up local assets

  The government is encouraging local authorities to sell off community assets like village halls to local people. Alison Purdy looks at the benefits of community ownership.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• A landmark year for devolving power?

  The confidence of local government is growing, but to progress further we need to listen to a range of voices. Sir Simon Milton, LGA chairman, outlines the association’s plans to campaign on the issues that matter to local people.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• Focus on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

  Maintaining prosperity without endangering the environment is a key challenge for local authorities, writes Cllr Ken Thornber.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• Keep the faith

  How should local councils engage with faith communities? Prof. Richard Farnell offers some research-based advice.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• Narrowing the gap

  Despite improvements overall in the educational attainment, health and well being of children, local authorities are still struggling to make a difference to the lives of the most needy youngsters. An LGA-led project is aiming to give them a helping hand, writes the association’s Jane Held.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• A day in the life - Cllr Heather Goddard (Con), South Gloucestershire Council

  I start my day by preparing for a live interview on the breakfast show of our local radio station, Radio Bristol. The interview is regarding American-style “primaries” for a prospective parliamentary candidate for the Kingswood constituency. I think it goes well.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• First look: Playtime!

  Fylde council has been awarded £200,000 of Big Lottery funding to improve play facilities across the borough.

  Added on: 23 January 2008

• Giving young people a voice

  A town council is trying to make its work more relevant to young people – by consulting student advisors. Alison Purdy saw the system in operation.

  Added on: 16 January 2008

• Joining up services for children

  The annual North of England education conference took place in Cardiff last week, hosted by the Welsh LGA. Karen Thornton listened to the keynote speakers and heard about new research on joined-up children’s services.

  Added on: 17 January 2008

• Public accountability

  So-called backbench councillors have an important role to play in holding their local authority’s executive members to account for their decisions, argues Mark Ingleby. He offers some guidance on ensuring scrutiny is effective.

  Added on: 16 January 2008

• Focus on the East of England

  Councillors must be at the forefront in holding regional government and its agencies to account, writes Cllr John Reynolds, chairman of the East of England regional assembly.

  Added on: 17 January 2008

• Make sure you're connected

  Computer training for older users needs to be tailored to their needs, says David Aspin, of Age Concern Knowsley.

  Added on: 17 January 2008

• A day in the life: Cllr Feryat Demirci (Lab), London borough of Hackney

  Every morning I wake up with exactly the same thought – I need to get myself a proper alarm clock. At the moment I use the alarm on my phone which, being loud and piercing, is very effective – but not the most relaxing way of starting the day!

  Added on: 17 January 2008

• first look: Sporting chance

  A Staffordshire county councillor took to the water in a canoe for the very first time to launch a scheme to help young athletes achieve their 2012 Olympic dreams.

  Added on: 17 January 2008

• While you were away...

  first took a break over the festive period. Since then the work of local government has continued to make headlines. Alison Purdy fills in the gaps and looks at what made the news over the seasonal break.

  Added on: 14 January 2008

• Over the hill?

  Just because someone has turned 60 doesn't mean they are ready for a pipe and slippers. Councils should be providing challenging sporting opportunities to local people of all ages, writes Cllr Peter Price.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

• Working together

  Getting rid of departments and creating a 'one team' ethos has helped turn around the fortunes of Fenland district council, writes its leader Cllr Geoffrey Harper.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

• Focus on the West Midlands

  Lottery money and a new health strategy are helping tackle health inequalities in the heart of England, writes Cllr Steven Eling, a member of the West Midlands regional assembly.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

• Pay and pensions

  It's not often that Local Government Employers (LGE) hits the headlines outside of the annual pay rounds. But last week its research on how councils are dealing with equal pay claims from women workers gained widespread media coverage.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

• Educating Rita in a new era

  Councils should work with the country's largest voluntary provider of adult education, writes Cllr Nigel Todd.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

• A day in the life: Cllr Alan Connett (Lib Dem), Leader, Teignbridge district council

  The reassuring rumble of the central heating boiler wakes me at 6.30am. I snuggle under the duvet for 10 minutes to allow the house to warm, before rising to prepare packed lunches for my teenage children.

  Added on: 11 January 2008

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