Breaking down England's fiscal devolution plans
David Phillips of the IFS tells LocalGov why England's regional finance reforms are modest by global comparison and what ministers still need to get right.
In praise of Pickles
27/11/2014 Council leaders should think carefully before popping the champagne corks once the current communities secretary, genuine localist Eric Pickles, is no longer there, writes Simon Parker. |
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Why councillors should go on strike
08/05/2014 Swiftian proposal on why councillors should go on strike canvassing for PPCs at next General Election in protest at council cutbacks. |
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Why councils need to 'get on' with shared services
07/03/2014 Shared services may be boring and difficult, but they are also politically essential for the future of local government. |
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Soapbox by Simon Parker
03/09/2013 NLGN director urges local government to intervene in housebuilding crisis to help address market failure. |
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What’s the big idea?
21/07/2011 Some of our poorest areas have the strongest sense of community and the greatest social capital – and councils need to tap into that potential, suggests Simon Parker |
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Rethinking modern times
21/04/2011 Local politicians will have to do the ‘heavy lifting’, if councils are to establish a convincing narrative for changing the way public services are delivered, contends Simon Parker |
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Market forces
06/04/2011 Councils may be under pressure to contract out services and reduce costs, but they still expect to support the local economy and employment, says Simon Parker. |
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Localism is dead – long live localism
16/12/2010 Plans for the future of local government have been swept away by the Localism Bill and the finance settlement and replaced with a new era of innovation, says Simon Parker |
