The MJ

The MJ is the top weekly magazine in the UK aimed at council chief executives and their decision-making teams in local governments and related fields. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at current events and opinions in the constantly evolving and complex realm of local politics. Readers can find the latest news, thoughtful commentary, detailed features, interviews, business insights, and the best job openings in the industry.

National, Trade/B2B

English

Magazine

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#1679334

United Kingdom

#112970

Law and Government/Government

#1874

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Encouraging communities to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day

2 weeks 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.
Delivering innovative services and reorganisation

2 weeks 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.
Gambling on the next chief executive

2 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Blair Mcpherson

LEADERSHIP Gambling on the next chief executive Appointing any chief executive is a risk, so how can councils shift the odds in their favour, asks Blair McPherson. By Blair McPherson | 28 April 2025 SHARE Appointments at chief executive level are always a gamble. History tells us most appointments fail. Especially if the previous post holder was a long-term success.
Innovation that delivers

3 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Alison Griffin

PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM Innovation that delivers For a Government hungry for innovation that delivers, the boroughs and all councils have much to offer, says chief executive of London Councils Alison Griffin. By Alison Griffin | 23 April 2025 SHARE The 60th anniversary of London boroughs has brought home to me how much there is to celebrate and be proud of – and how much councils have to offer the Government's public service reform agenda.
Councils click into the future of planning

3 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | David Brown |Greg Clark |Paul Marinko |Martin Ford

In town halls across the country, planning officers are racing to update their Local Plans — but this time, the process looks very different. In 2025, with major reforms now law and the pressure to deliver new homes and infrastructure rising, the traditional way of doing things is rapidly giving way to something faster, smarter, and — crucially — more democratic.
If Surrey is straightforward, what does hard look like?

4 weeks 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.
Prioritising financial probity in a time of flux

4 weeks ago | themj.co.uk | Jonathan Werran |Amardeep Gill

REORGANISATION Audit, government and scrutiny must be reformed and renewed alongside reorganisation or the risk remains of larger-scale council financial failures, say Jonathan Werran and Amardeep Gill. W e are at a once-in-a-century crossroads in redefining the form, function and finances of local government. However, delays in local audits are serving to undermine public confidence in local government finances and are a hindrance to understanding the national balance sheet.
Return on investment is the real issue

1 month 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.
Picking up the pieces of a financial death loop

1 month 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...
Selling the family silver

1 month ago | themj.co.uk | Emily Twinch

FINANCE Selling the family silver Heritage assets can cost councils hundreds of thousands of pounds to maintain, and with times as tough as they are it could feel like the natural option to sell them. But that might not always be the best solution – or even possible, as Emily Twinch finds out By Emily Twinch | 24 March 2025 SHARE In Hull a 200-year-old piece of the city's history stands derelict.