The number of bodies involved in local government pay negotiations in Scotland should be reduced, the head of the council employers’ organisation has told MSPs
With the public sector forced to make huge efficiency savings, outsourcing is one likely option. But the recession has taken its toll on private sector suppliers and some might not survive. PF...
In a difficult financial climate for public services, the offer of a private sector solution might be tempting. But, Dave Prentis argues, any apparent savings come with hidden costs, including more...
While private companies have been contracting out services overseas for the past decade, public sector bodies have shown little interest so far. The recession might change this, but vital issues need...
There is anxiety amongst public sector commissioners about the ‘viability’ of contractors following the sharp downturn in the economy, the chief executive of the Audit Commission has...
Scottish council leaders have warned that they face ‘tough’ spending decisions next year, despite a 5.1% funding increase announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney
Councils in Scotland have broken ranks with the pay negotiating body that represents them to award a 3% increase to thousands of local government workers
Paul Coen, the chief executive of the Local Government Association, has been sent on gardening leave after falling out with the organisation’s political leaders over its controversial...
The London Borough of Barnet is developing plans to reduce itself to a tiny strategic core and set up a joint venture company to commission local services
Councils lack the funding and expertise to make adequate preparations against the kinds of floods that devastated some areas in 2007, a survey of local authorities in England shows
The failings of the housing finance system must not be used by local authority landlords as an excuse for poor performance, the head of the new tenants’ watchdog said this week
The light-touch, joined-up Comprehensive Area Assessment regime, headed up by your own personal ‘lead’ is being introduced. Alex Klaushofer maps the progress so far
Local authorities should be given a ‘long-term work and skills budget’ with freedoms and resources to tackle worklessness, an independent review has said
Schools that fail to drastically reduce their carbon emissions could cause councils to lose out under the mandatory carbon trading scheme, a think-tank has warned
Local government has embraced the efficiency programme but wants less red tape, fewer Whitehall targets and better incentives to ensure future efficiency gains are sustainable, according to research
Five council-provided adult social care services remain a ‘priority for improvement’ after receiving poor scores for the sixth year running, the social care watchdog has said
