Our Post Office Needs a Proper Future!
Thursday, February 26th, 2009Peter Mandelson’s announcement on the future of the Post Office represents a real low in government thinking. Where we needed imagination we have been given an old and tired idea but when which — I suspect — represents the least line of resistance.
Over the last couple of years Labour at a local level — including [...]
Elected Mayors Agghhhh!
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009Now Dave is at it. The Tories, if elected to power, will explore the notion of an elected Mayor in each of the twelve biggest cities in the UK.
I don’t want to go over the merits of the elected Mayor again. But what puzzles me is this lingering love of the ballot. The people can [...]
The Real Value of Public Art in Hard Times
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009The Arts world is holding its breath at the moment, expecting to have to take major cuts in order to support other areas of public expenditure during these hard economic times.
The Arts may well have to take their fair share of funding cuts for the common good, but it is true that that the arts [...]
Postcard from the Depression
Thursday, February 12th, 2009At long last senior figures in government and the Bank of England are beginning to acknowledge just how bad this recession, or depression, really is.
Looking from the Heart of England — where we can all too easily remember the ravages of the ’80s — things look decidedly glum.
There are still opportunities for Labour though as [...]
Home From Home
Monday, February 9th, 2009Lots of Party campaigners and planners are looking back to pre-1997. What was it that we did — in campaigning, in machine terms — that we can learn from today. But it’s not mechanics or campaigning techniques that I think we need to reflect on most urgently.
In the run up to ‘97 one of the [...]
Practical Support for the Unemployed
Sunday, February 8th, 2009Today’s Observer newspaper has a font page report on the difficulties faced by the governments welfare to work programme. “Key Labour Employment Plan Close to Collapse”.
This government’s faith in the private sector is either touching or mad depending on your point of view. According to the Observer key private sector partners are arguing for more [...]
Snow, Salt & Grit: Just in Time and Public Service
Thursday, February 5th, 2009The current weather crisis has highlighted a number of issues about just in time efficiencies and local government. While public services have become more efficient in recent years perhaps the policy drive that goes with it is not always helpful and, perhaps, not always honest.
Maybe the current crisis should encourage a more public debate?
Insolvent Councils?
Monday, February 2nd, 2009Still on local government there are strong rumours that this calendar year will see a large council English Council go into insolvency.
This seems extraordinary and nobody is really sure what will happen if insolvency occurs. Under-pinning this set of affairs is a financial management system that has fallen to bits, councillors who have failed to [...]
Bonus Culture and Local Government
Monday, February 2nd, 2009Local Government Chronicle are carrying a fascinating story on the front page of your current edition, looking at a weird development in senior executive pay.
“The Audit Commission removed politically explosive references to chief executives’ bonuses from a flagship report following Local Government Association lobbying, an LGC investigation has revealed.”
The pay and remuneration of Chief Executives [...]
