Heather Jameson

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Jo Blackman |Rebecca Rampat |Paul Marinko |Heather Jameson

Councils across the UK will be at the heart of community celebrations and commemoration  events for the 80th anniversary of VE Day - a significant moment in our history. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed a full week's worth of events, from community events taking place on the bank holiday, Monday 5 May to national commemorations on Thursday 8 May.

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Paul Marinko |Heather Jameson |Martin Ford |Joe Lepper

Any discussion around local government reorganisation (LGR) is likely to reveal a mild case of schizophrenia within the sector. Add in a mention of innovation and this psychological split is inevitable. The state councils find themselves in – financially destitute and swamped with demand – has forced local authorities to strain every sinew to find new ways of coping. And many feel there isn't the head space to consider the weighty challenge of reorganisation.

2 months ago | localgov.co.uk | Heather Jameson

Councils facing reorganisation face being ‘fleeced' by consultants keen to profit from the process, a former Northamptonshire CC commissioner has claimed. Theresa Grant, who oversaw the bankrupt authority and its districts' transition into two unitaries has warned councils to ‘beware of experts'. Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading.

2 months ago | themj.co.uk | Heather Jameson

REORGANISATION When it comes to LGR Surrey is the hardest system to redesign, says Heather Jameson. 'With £5.6bn worth of borrowing, the rush to restructure is an attempt to fix the finances asap.' Surrey is exceptional – for many reasons. Ever since the devolution White Paper was published in December, the county has been the front runner in local government reorganisation, hurtling towards a 9 May deadline ahead of the autumn target for all other two-tier areas.

2 months ago | themj.co.uk | Heather Jameson

HOMELESSNESS Picking up the pieces of a financial death loop Heather Jameson says: 'Amid a well-rehearsed list of increasing crises facing local authorities, squeezing their budgets to breaking point, the lack of affordable housing and the high cost of temporary accommodation is pushing councils over the edge.' By Heather Jameson | 03 April 2025 SHARE There were few laughs in the news headlines this 1 April, with widespread reports of the soaring cost of household bills across water, energy...