Previous E-polls
Displaying 61 to 80 of 214
- Which is the best way to improve the behaviour of children in schools?
- Should all councils face increased inspection of their children's services departments after Haringey's admission of failure in the 'Baby P' case?
- Given its treatment of Haringey LBC do you still have faith in Ofsted?
- Has your authority had to reassess the scope of regeneration projects in the wake of the credit crunch?
- What should be the first step to improve the working conditions of social workers?
- With a new chief exec in John Ransford, where should the LGA now focus its efforts?
- Are council pension fund shortfalls a cause for serious concern?
- Are you glad to see CPA replaced by CAA?
- Will the ACAS decision on pay derail your spending plans?
- Which of Lord Laming's recommendations will have the biggest impact on child protection?
- Do you think local government funding will be hit in the upcoming budget?
- Do you agree with ministers' plans to publish the salaries and benefits packages of senior officers in local government?
- Are local government unions right to push for more than a 0.5% pay deal?
- Should councils continue to use interim managers despite the high costs?
- Will the measures outlined in the Budget help to re-invigorate the economy in your local area?
- Are Manchester and Leeds the right areas to become new city regions?
- Will a long term drive significantly improve social worker recruitment?
- Why do the public feel dissatisfied with council services?
- Will the MPs' expenses scandal affect voter turnout at the June 4 local elections?
- Following the 'Baby P' sentencing and the publication of the second serious case review can Haringey LBC finally start to move on?
- Will the on-going Westminster expenses scandal impact on the reputation of local politics?
- Is John Denham the right choice for the new Communities Secretary?
- Was it right to split local government minister Rosie Winterton across two departments?
- Should LGPS administering authorities be allowed to mix money from their general fund and pension scheme when investing?
- Should councils welcome Gordon Brown's public sector reforms?
- Should chief executives and directors take a pay freeze\cut to help their organisation through the recession?
- Are national political parties a help or a hindrance in local government?
- Will localising crime powers and funding help the British justice system?
- Will your council tighten data protection after it was announced that the Information Commissioner will be given powers to fine organisations in breech of the Data Protection Act?
- Was the Local Government Employers right to increase the council pay offer?
- Is your council/department looking to shed staff in light of the anticipated public sector spending freeze?
- Do you think it is right for councils to share a chief executive?
- Is the new £58M advertising campaign the best way to improve social worker recruitment?
- Do you agree with the call to cap chief executives' pensions at £50,000 per annum?
- Should the Government's housing focus shift from new builds to repairing existing properties?
- Should councils back out of the 1% pay deal if they are legally allowed to do so?
- Do you think it will be possible for the next administration to make anticipated cuts in public spending and protect jobs in local government?
- Do you agree with the Conservative proposal of giving elected mayors the power to sack their council's chief executive?
- Is it right for ministers to urge councils to sell off major assets in an effort to cut the deficit in public finances?
- Do you think the reduction in public sector budgets will lead to more or less outsourcing?
- Is the London Borough of Barnet's 'EasyCouncil' model an acceptable way to provide public services?
- Do council officers have the right skills sets to deliver effective shared services with other public bodies?
- Are social media sites an effective way of engaging local communities?
- Do you agree with ministers' claims that the UK is on track to become a 'zero waste nation'?
- Do you feel local government's strong track record on efficiency means it is an easy target for public sector cuts?
- What do you believe are the barriers to innovation in local government service provision?
- Do you feel CAA is a step in the right direction for local government inspection?
- Should the Chancellor have opted for more ambitious plans to join up local public spending in his Pre Budget Report?
- Is it right for the Government to centralise road grit supply through the ‘salt cell’?
- Can effective websites deliver demonstrable efficiency savings for local government?
- Do you agree with the Audit Commission that council newspapers represent good value for money?
- Do you feel there is room in councils' budgets to offer staff pay increases and protect frontline services?
- Do you think appointing a 'pubs minister' is the right approach to help save these important community focal points?
- Is it right for ministers to attempt to force councils to provide election night vote counts?
- What measures are most important to help councils prepare for the Carbon Reduction Commitment?
- Do you think the measures highlighted in the Government's Putting the Frontline First report will help generate savings while safeguarding services?
- Do you think a hung Parliament would have an adverse impact on councils' ability to provide effective services for their communities?
- Do you agree with Audit Commission that council chief executive severance deals should be subject to greater scrutiny?
- Do you think the Government's new Urban Challenge Fund will help councils deliver innovative local transport improvements?
- In light of the recent CLG select committee report, do you feel local government has the skills and confidence to fight extremism in communities?
- Do you agree with the recent CABE report that suburbs and neighbourhoods have been neglected in favour of urban centres?
- Is the serious case review system for child protection too costly and too slow, while failing to deliver significant improvement, as claimed by the NSPCC recently?
- Do you agree with the IPPR that support for the British National Party has arisen out of weak communities, poor education and low turnout rather than immigration issues?
- An LGA study has found that stress is having a major impact on council staff. Is work-related stress having a negative impact on your colleagues and teams?
- Do you feel the aspirations of Total Place are fully understood by your council’s management teams?
- What is the first thing a new government should do for local government?
- What major policy change should result from the local government finance review?
- Are you encouraged by the coalition Government's pledge to remove £1.7bn of ring fencing from numerous grants to councils?
- Are you happy that the Government is pressing ahead with plans to abolish CAA?
- Would you take a pay cut in exchange for job security?
- Do you believe local government can make the cuts set out by the coalition government and protect front line services?
- Do you think the Government’s plans to allow councils to reinstate weekly waste collections will be a backwards step for recycling?
- What should local government’s response be to David Cameron and Nick Clegg's letter asking for ideas on public sector cuts?
- Do you agree with Eric Pickles' notion of 'non-jobs' in local government?
- Should councils have a greater role in the delivery of public health services as set out in the NHS White Paper?
- Can the Big Society be made into a reality?
- Do you feel directly-elected police commissioners will help make the force more accountable?
- Do you think the role of the council chief executive and elected mayor can be effectively combined following a US 'super mayor' model?
- Do you feel area-wide, self-assessment, as suggested by the New Local Government Network, is an adequate replacement for CAA?
- Do you agree with Eric Pickles' decision to disband the Audit Commission?
- Should transport authorities switch off speed cameras and focus efforts elsewhere to boost road safety?
- Are you confident Local Enterprise Partnerships will prove adequate replacements for Regional Development Agencies?
- Can local public services cope with an ageing population given the expected surge in associated costs?
- Do you back the call for local carbon budgets to help meet national carbon dioxide reduction targets?
- Do you feel Suffolk CC's plan to become an 'enabling authority' is the right model for local government in a tight financial climate?
- Do you feel Suffolk County Council's plan to become an 'enabling authority' is the right model for local government in a tight financial climate?
- In light of the recent LGA survey on road salt levels, are you confident that stocks will be sufficient if the coming winter is as harsh as the last?
- Telford & Wrekin plans to consult residents on cutting the number of councilors. Do you think this is a viable option for councils in the face of expected cuts?
- How would you respond to the headline measures set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review?
- Which areas of local transport do you think will be hardest hit by the comprehensive spending review?
- Do you think Windsor and Maidenhead council's plans for 'big society reward points' will work?
- Do you share the concern that the Government's housing benefit cap will lead to an exodus of people to poorer areas?
- Should councils be able to charge for the processing of Freedom of Information requests?
- Do you agree with councils lobbying for an increase in parking fines to bring them in line with those levied in London?
- Do you think the dramatic cut to Local Government Group chief John Ransford's salary package will increase pressure on senior local government pay?
- Do you agree that the transparency agenda in local government results in greater efficiency and better management?
- Is the Localism Bill over-hyped or does it contain some useful powers?
- Is the Localism Bill over-hyped or does it contain some useful powers?
- Do you agree with Government efforts to promote electric vehicles?
- Should councils follow ethical codes when it comes to advertising on their websites and in publications?
- Do you believe Local Enterprise Partnerships will foster new ways of working for local government and other agencies?
- Do you believe PFI has delivered best value for money in funding public infrastructure?
- Do you believe Communities Secretary Eric Pickles remains 'a massive fan of local government', as he claimed last week?
- Do you share Lord Wei's view that the voluntary sector should adapt to current financial conditions rather than protesting over cuts?
- Do you feel David Cameron's public services plans will see council services run by business rather than voluntary groups or charities?
- What is your view of the New Homes Bonus Scheme?
- Do you feel David Cameron's 'happiness index' will be a useful tool to help formulate policy?
- Do you agree with the Smith Institute’s recommendation for a 'council of the North' to ensure issues affecting Northern England are fairly represented in Westminster?
- Should councillors be included on the proposed new GP health commissioning boards?
- Given events in Japan, should councils resist plans for new nuclear reactors in the UK or seek to quell concerns?
- Do you believe Enterprise Zones as set out in the Budget will stimulate sustainable growth?
- Do you feel councillors should embrace technology in order for them to engage effectively with the communities they serve?
- Do you agree that the LGA should seek judicial review over the Government's plans to top-slice cash from councils to pay for academies?
- Do you agree with recent Best Value guidance which repeals the duty on councils to involve citizens?
- Does your council have the right structures, policies and procedures in place to explore new service delivery models such as mutuals?
- Are you concerned that proposed localisation of business rates will transfer significant risks to local authorities?
- Do you believe Newcastle City Council's plans to introduce a 'minimum living wage' for council staff will help boost the local economy?
- Do you share local government consultant Steve Bundred's view that some councils face and autumn crisis on their budgets, having reluctantly approved cuts?
- Do you believe giving people a direct say on setting local budget priorities will result in better services?
- Do you agree that councils will be 'left out in the cold' as a result of the power shifts which could result from the Localism Bill?
- Do you feel the waste review will spell the end of government pressure on councils to reintroduce weekly waste collections?
- Do you feel the waste review will spell the end of government pressure on councils to reintroduce weekly waste collections?
- Is the coalition's brand of "localism" working?
- Following last week's LGA, do you believe ministers' tough 'first phase' of cuts for local government is now over, and liberation and new powers will follow?
- Do you share concerns that turnover of council chief executives could destabilise a sector struggling with budget cuts?
- Do you think the Government's resource review is a positive step?
- The NLGN claims Big Society needs ‘active local government for it to be successful. Can councils fulfil this role?
- Do you broadly support the Government’s proposals for business rates?
- Do you agree with Eric Pickles' call for councils to dispose of their assets?
- Do you support the idea of evicting or withholding the benefits of those convicted of rioting?
- Is your council considering changing job terms and conditions in the face of cuts?
- Will the proposed planning reforms deliver sustainable growth?
- Should local government be responsible for funding a replacement to the 50p top rate income tax through an extra council tax band?
- Following last week's Mirrlees Review, is it time for ministers and councils to oversee a full revaluation of homes for local tax purposes?
- Do you understand the current public sector pensions review and what it might mean for your scheme?
- Do you endorse the government's Weekly Collections Support Scheme announced by Eric Pickles last week?
- Do you agree that adjusted accrual rates and increased contributions should deliver Treasury required saving in the local government pension scheme?
- Do you believe the Government's proposed 'Troubled Families Unit' will help cut waste?
- Do you feel your local authority is making best use of its property assets?
- Given the possibility of further outsourcing in the face of cuts, do you feel your council is equipped to broker the best contracts with the private sector?
- Unison members last week voted in favour of industrial action later this month. Do you support the outcome of the ballot?
- Do you believe ministers should extend the community budgets programme to boost local regeneration initiatives?
- Now the Localism Act has been passed, have you got any plans to use the power of general competence?
- Are you encouraged by plans in George Osborne's Autumn Statement to invest in infrastructure in the regions?
- Do you support the Empty Homes campaign calling on central and local government to sell or let empty properties at discounted rates?
- Do you endorse ministers' plans to hold a referendum if a local authority looks to increase its council tax by more than 3.5%?
- Do you endorse ministers' plans to hold a referendum if a local authority looks to increase its council tax by more than 3.5%?
- Do you share the view that the localisation of business rates will widen the economic gap between the North and South?
- Do you believe health and social care services can be effectively integrated?
- Should councils take the 'one-off' funding from Government and freeze council tax for the next financial year?
- Do you feel the Government's Community Trigger initiative will help tackle anti-social behaviour?
- What is your view of the Government's Weekly Collections Support Scheme?
- Do you agree with the High Court ruling that Bideford Council acted unlawfully by holding prayers as part of a formal council meeting?
- Do you agree that a multi-agency approach, as favoured by the Government, can help tackle underage and binge drinking at the local level?
- Are you satisfied that councils fully assess flooding risk before approving new development?
- Do you believe a range of independent shops is more important to local economic revival than large, major retailer-led development schemes?
- Should the government attempt to kick-start the ailing housing market by the NewBuy Guarantee initiative?
- s private investment in major roads the best way to arrest what prime minister David Cameron calls 'decades of degradation'?
- Do you think local bus networks, crippled by funding shortages, will be helped by new Government reforms?
- Is a workplace parking levy a viable option for councils to raise additional revenues for transport infrastructure in the current economic climate?
- Are you in favour of the Government's 'late night levy' to help meet the costs of cleaning up after binge drinkers?
- Do you agree with the suggestion of docking benefit for parents of primary school children who play truant?
- Do you support the Coalition Government's plans to impose further restrictions on Whitehall spending?
- Is improved cycling-specific infrastructure essential to to help promote cycling in the local transport mix?
- Are you surprised that most cities in the UK rejected the chance to move to a system of a directly-elected mayor?
- Can parking policy for new developments adequately accommodate car ownership rates?
- Should local authorities have to 'share' half of their business rates with Whitehall?
- Will the 12 town centres chosen to be the first Portas Pilots be successful in revitalising their high streets?
- Do you support the deal struck by employers and unions on the Local Government Pension Scheme?
- Will Eric Pickles' payment-by-results scheme help councils tackle the problem of troubled families?
- Should the Government introduce new legislation to better regulate the scrap metal industry?
- Does the adult social care system need a radical overhaul in light of predictions it will pass 45% of council budgetary spending by 2020?
- Will the power to appoint their own auditors make local government more accountable?
- Was the Government right to defer the issue of social care funding until the next spending review?
- Should local authorities look to outsourcing public services to make efficiency savings?
- Should the Government lift restrictions on how councils can use locally raised revenues?
- Do you agree with the LGiU survey that riots are unlikely to occur again this year?
- Will outsourcing back office functions and frontline services be enough to meet the cuts made to local government funding?
- Do you back the Government's proposed changes to the local government pension scheme?
- Do you agree that Section 106 requirements should be dropped?
- Will clamping down on benefit fraud help local authorities cover the cost of delivering council tax benefit schemes, as suggested by the Government?
- Is the public sector right to strike over the proposed caps on pay?
- Should there be an opt-in payment system when the new Universal Credit is introduced?
- Is it right that councils commit to paying their staff the 'living wage'?
- Should councils reinstate weekly bin collections?
- Do you agree with Eric Pickles that the Government will meet its target of helping 120,000 troubled families by 2015?
- Should the Government abandon plans to reform the planning system?
- Do you expect to see an increase in the number of low-income residents refusing to pay council tax next year?
- Do you think council budget cuts will result in widespread axing of services?
- Should London councils place homeless families in temporary accommodation outside the Capital?
- Does more need to be done to rebalance regional transport spending?
- Will the newly-elected PCCs improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the police force?
- Should the Government contribute funding to ensure households at risk of flooding can get insurance?
- Will Pickles honour his vow to end 'golden goodbyes' for council chief executives?
- Will the spending cuts outlined in the Autumn Statement impact on councils' ability to boost local economic growth?
- Will the financial settlement make more councils 'financially unviable' as suggested by SOLACE?
- Is the Government right to cap social care costs?
- Will the Government's new state pension proposals 'scupper' reforms to Local Government Pension Schemes as claimed by GMB?
- Should all local authorities introduce a Living Wage for their employees?
- Would plans to axe the census from 2021 make it harder for councils to develop future public services?
- Is it right that local authorities directly benefiting from the HS2 should help fund the project?
- Do you think health secretary Jeremy Hunt was right to introduce a £75,000 cap on the care costs people pay over their lifetime?
- Should the Government remove all ring-fencing from local authority funding as part of future city deals?
- Should councils accept the Government's deal to freeze council tax for 2013/14?
- Should councils cut union facility time to save funds?
- Should the Government use next week's budget to remove the housing borrowing cap, as suggested by the LGA?
- Do you agree with Liam Fox that there should be a five-year freeze on public spending?
- Are councils responsible for the demise of the high street, as suggested by Tory peer Lord Wolfson?
- Will disabled people be disproportionately hit by changes to the welfare system?
- Should councils be given greater power to veto certain shops on the high street such as payday lenders and bookmakers?
- Should publicity rules be tightened to stop councils from publishing their own newspapers?
- Was Eric Pickles right to offer concessions on the controversial proposals for home extensions?
- Should the Government introduce compulsory first-time voting?
- Does UKIP's success in the local elections signify a seismic change' away from the three national parties?

