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Features - October 2009

  • Tighten your beltsConservatives gather next week knowing they need to spell out plans for austerity government. They're taking tips from Tory 'easyCouncils' on how to get more for less. Philip Johnston asks whether the ideas will get off the runway 02 October 2009
  • Weathering the stormBatten down the hatches, the worst is yet to come. Even if the recession is now over, there are mounting social and financial pressures on the UK. Only radical government action can avert disaster, argues Malcolm Prowle 08 October 2009
  • The saga continuesThe collapse of Iceland's banks forced a rethink of local authority investment strategies. A year on, many councils are putting safety before returns, others are still skating on the edge and regulators are busy revising the rules. Tash Shifrin reports 15 October 2009
  • Not the total storyMuch is expected of the Total Place initiative – ministers are hoping it will join up services while producing huge savings. Guy Clifton warns, however, that the consequences have not been properly thought through 29 October 2009
  • And then there were none…Forget the bonfire of the quangos, it's managers and back-office staff who are in politicians' line of fire now. But can layers of 'bureaucrats' really be taken out without harming services on the front line? 23 October 2009
  • Opening the second frontThe scale of the public sector deficit demands no-holds-barred solutions. So could Total Place – the latest weapon in the government's armoury – help to lower costs without damaging vital services? Tony Travers predicts turf wars ahead 30 October 2009
  • Healthy debatesThe main parties' health spokesmen took centre stage during the conference season. But as we head towards an election, they will need to spell out how to maintain quality while making necessary savings, argues Niall Dickson 22 October 2009
  • Fit for special purpose?Public bodies run costly risks when they use the Private Finance Initiative, argues Matthew Dillon. Managing special purpose companies is one of the most obvious 01 October 2009
  • vickipatersonSAM Learning to shareSchools Secretary Ed Balls claims he can cut £2bn from the education budget. So how is he going to do it, asks Conor Ryan 08 October 2009
  • An eye on the bigger picture Leadership skills will be vital for public sector managers in the difficult days ahead. They will have to review structures, manage their staff more effectively and communicate a vision. Jody Goldsworthy offers some advice 15 October 2009