15/08/2016

Paul O'Brien and Mo Baines examine the reasons why some councils are moving to bring services back in-house.

31/03/2015

Paul O'Brien reflects on research among councillors, which shows that non-executive members provide a vital connection between residents and front-line services but feel marginalised from decision-making.

01/12/2010

A senior central government figure recently asked me what a transformed council should look like in four or five years’ time.

13/09/2010

14/05/2009

The recent Budget merely confirmed what most of us already knew – the years of massive investment in public services are well and truly over, and between now and 2015, the Government will be seeking massive efficiency savings.

23/10/2008

Up until a few months ago, the big scare story in local government was how tight the current Comprehensive Spending Review period was going to be. But the unprecedented failures in financial markets over the last few weeks, surely, mean CSR worries p

10/09/2008

A recent APSE survey of council education catering managers brings home just how difficult things are getting for those delivering front-line services.

23/07/2008

Hazel Blears’ latest White Paper announcements speed up devolution of powers to the public and underline the need to ensure scrutiny is ever more effective as a function of local democracy...

04/06/2008

Having made it to the North of Majorca for the half term break I thought I may have escaped the daily grind of life back in the UK...

04/06/2008

At some point in my past, I was part of a team pitching the idea of a national graduate development programme for local government to some people who had influence over how future investment in the sector might be best directed...

29/04/2008

"With so much coverage of the American electoral process it’s hardly surprising that when you start to think about some of the complex issues facing local government your mind reverts to some of the soundbites used across the pond..."

16/04/2008

With so much coverage of the American electoral process it’s hardly surprising that when you start to think about some of the complex issues facing local government your mind reverts to some of the soundbites used across the pond...

27/02/2008

With the Housing and Regeneration Bill rapidly making its way through Parliament, housing minister Caroline Flint’s outspoken comments on unemployed council tenants distracted attention from some of the more important housing issues facing the UK in

10/01/2008

It’s time to get away from the Nintendo Wii’s, Bratz Dolls and High School Musical DVDs and start to think about some New Year resolutions.

09/01/2008

The Comprehensive Area Assessment looks set to scrap star ratings, which will place greater onus on performance frameworks at the local level. Paul O’Brien examines the implications

24/10/2007

While the press has obsessed about Gordon Brown’s leadership skills and David Cameron seized the moment at prime minister’s questions time to promote the pre-Budget statement as a ‘smash and grab’ on Tory policies, local government could be forgiven

03/10/2007

Paul O'Brien offers a solution to ensuring councils get the best possible services and best value for money, which he thinks should be adopted as the Government prepares new guidance on best value

17/07/2007

A decade ago, global warming was only a concern for hardcore environmentalists. Today, few people doubt the threat it poses. Paul O'Brien assesses councils' role.

24/05/2007

Charging for waste collection is highly controversial. Paul O’Brien discusses how it can be introduced to householders as one of a range of measures to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill

07/03/2007