Martin Ford

Reporter at The MJ

Reporter for @themjcouk formerly Herts Mercury

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Articles

Return on investment is the real issue

2 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Julie Towers |Barry Quirk CBE |Simon T Kaye |Martin Ford

PAY Return on investment is the real issue If chief executives’ impact in local government is measured using clear metrics then perhaps the TaxPayers’ Alliance would pipe down, says Julie Towers. By Julie Towers | 08 April 2025 SHARE (c) LALAKA / Shutterstock.com. It was good to see leaders defending six figure salaries in local government in the recent article in The MJ; but I was disappointed that it was still even an issue.
Spelthorne faces Government intervention

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

INTERVENTION Spelthorne faces Government intervention Ministers are minded to appoint commissioners to oversee the running of Spelthorne BC. By Martin Ford | 17 March 2025 SHARE Ministers are minded to appoint commissioners to oversee the running of Spelthorne BC. The proposed intervention is to last five years, ‘reflecting the severity of the challenge at Spelthorne' according to a letter to the council's chief executive Daniel Mouawad.
Capacity warning for strategic authorities

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

WORKFORCE Capacity warning for strategic authorities Strategic authorities could face capacity issues as demand intensifies for finance and planning skills. By Martin Ford | 12 March 2025 SHARE Strategic authorities could face capacity issues as demand intensifies for finance and planning skills.
Council finance system 'not fit for purpose', MPs told

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

FINANCE Council finance system 'not fit for purpose', MPs told The system for turning around councils in financial distress is ‘not fit for purpose’ councillors have told MPs. By Martin Ford | 11 March 2025 SHARE The system for turning around councils in financial distress is ‘not fit for purpose' councillors have told MPs. The comments came as the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee questioned whether sector-led improvement was ‘working' during an evidence session this...
Woking recovery hindered by capacity issues

1 month ago | localgov.co.uk | Martin Ford

Capacity issues are hindering the financial recovery of Woking BC, commissioners have warned. In their latest report to ministers, published this week, the team charged with overseeing the council's improvement said ‘the pace of change remains an issue' due to ‘considerable capacity challenges'. Visit The MJ (£) to continue reading. The NAO has concluded insufficient action has been taken to address weaknesses in council finances.
County director to join LGA

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

PEOPLE County director to join LGA Andrea Newman to is to join the Local Government Association (LGA) as director of communications and engagement. By Martin Ford | 07 March 2025 SHARE Andrea Newman to is to join the Local Government Association (LGA) as director of communications and engagement. Newman is currently strategic director of communications and engagement at Surrey CC and has previously held roles in Downing Street, the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence.
Woking recovery hindered by capacity issues

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

FINANCE Woking recovery hindered by capacity issues Capacity issues are hindering the financial recovery of Woking BC, commissioners have warned. By Martin Ford | 07 March 2025 SHARE Capacity issues are hindering the financial recovery of Woking BC, commissioners have warned.
Borough council appoints interim chief

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

PEOPLE Borough council appoints interim chief Dacorum BC has announced the appointment of Darren Welsh as its interim chief executive. By Martin Ford | 06 March 2025 SHARE Dacorum BC has announced the appointment of Darren Welsh as its interim chief executive. He will take over from Claire Hamilton, who left to take up the role of chief executive at Redbridge LBC.
Stretched capacity slows pace of reorganisation

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

POLITICS Stretched capacity slows pace of reorganisation Small unitary councils are to be spared reorganisation until the map has been redrawn in two-tier areas, local government minister Jim McMahon has told The MJ. By EXCLUSIVE by Martin Ford | 06 March 2025 SHARE Small unitary councils are to be spared reorganisation until the map has been redrawn in two-tier areas, local government minister Jim McMahon has told The MJ.
Defending devolution

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Martin Ford

DEVOLUTION Defending devolution Devolution and reorganisation has dominated headlines and topped the agenda for many councils in recent months, so Martin Ford sat down with local government and English devolution minister Jim McMahon at the Convention of the North in Preston to gain some insights into the process By Martin Ford | 06 March 2025 SHARE The most extensive reorganisation of local government for half a century is not a job for the faint-hearted.