By David Walker | 29 July 2010
On a hot summer’s day, people in Lewes, in East Sussex, can stroll along the banks of the River Ouse – too fast-flowing for safe ...read more
A county on the verge of change
By Paul Carter | 29 May 2010
An iron law of British politics has been broken. No longer does the retreat from localism begin on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street.
In its ...read more
Little more than a supporting role
By David Walker | 26 April 2010
Three things are certain whoever assumes the mantle at Westminster next week – and they might puzzle the pundits and prophets who have lately been ...read more
It's the inside story that matters
By Tim Rudd | 27 March 2010
Recent years of huge funding for capital projects under the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF) have been a Golden Age, a unique opportunity ...read more
By Dion Watts | 25 February 2010
Total Place is a Government-funded initiative that looks at how a ‘whole area’ approach to public services can lead to better provison at a lower cost. It seeks ...read more
By David Walker | 25 February 2010
Kent councillors made the running when the Tories last came to power in 1979, and the county’s leader, Paul Carter, wants to repeat history. ‘Bold ...read more
Rural areas deserve a new deal
By Graham Biggs | 19 January 2010
Everyone in the UK, wherever they may live and work, needs a strong, confident and sustainable countryside. It is of huge value to us all: ...read more
All roads eventually lead to staff
By David Walker | 8 December 2009
If you have to go on a diet, Steve Bundred said at a recent seminar, “the best time is when you have been extremely well ...read more
Fears of a lost decade of growth
By Simon Midgley | 8 November 2009
A recent poll of finance professionals working in the public sector found that many believe the recession could lead to reduced spending on services for ...read more
Total Place can win over sceptics
By John Atkinson | 4 October 2009
Many column inches have now been dedicated to Total Place, outlining what it is, who’s involved and what it aims to do. There has been predictable ...read more
Savings start with the individual
By Mary Clarke | 8 September 2009
At the heart of the Government’s plans for public sector reform is the need to reduce costs, and improve the accountability and quality of the ...read more
By Dion Watts | 8 September 2009
Commitment
An additional £1.5 billion to be invested over the next two years to deliver 20,000 new affordable homes, creating 45,000 jobs in construction and ...read more
By Dion Watts | 8 September 2009
Commitment
Build or refurbish youth centres and other facilities to ensure young people have easy access to positive activities. Working towards a goal of every ...read more
Would the Tories trust councils?
By David Walker | 5 September 2009
During one of the last Prime Minister’s Questions before the summer break, Charles Hendry, the Tory MP for Wealden, asked Gordon Brown to intervene in ...read more