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Working lives: making a difference with democracy
Engaging communities can produce unexpected results all round, as Surrey's adult social care team discoveredDemocracy and engagement comes in many forms across many council services. In Surrey, our aim...
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Why local democracy needs local statistical services
Underestimates dog the traditional census. To understand and serve communities we need to collect this essential data locally"The census is an unparalleled source of information and will form the basis...
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'It's the council's responsibility to make sure people understand how to vote'
From voter apathy to using data, we find out how local authorities are attacking the big problems in local democracyUsing data to boost democracyDarren Hughes, director of campaigns and research at the...
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The impact of the three main parties on local government
Do political parties distract from the important issues at a local level, or do residents appreciate clear and colourful signposts?The big three parties are as dominant as ever in local politics....
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Social media cannot solve the problem of local disengagement
Voters are not apathetic, as Rob Dale claims. The fault lies with local government's lack of purposeEarlier this week, Rob Dale opened up the debate around local democracy by arguing that social media...
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Top tips: what is local democracy?
We round up the best comments and advice from our expert panel on the changing role of local governmentTim Hughes is a research officer at InvolveAre local elections about local politics? The last...
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Communities demand power in the hands of frontline staff
A new pamphlet from the Fabian Society reveals the complex relationship between power and accountability in local politicsAt the last general election, all political parties marched into battle under...
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Should public notice legislation be updated?
New report from LGiU calls for a change to the rules on public notices to provide better value for money for local government and residentsIn 2008, the Killian Pretty review of planning applications...
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How happy is local government?
Brighton & Hove council became the UK's first Green-led authority last year but will a new political leadership make it a happier place to be? Councillor Jason Kitcat thinks soWith the release in...
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Wolverhampton event aims to build legacy
Two-day ideas festival will bring organisations and experts together to develop practical ideas to transform space and lives in once thriving cityThe industrial revolution ignited the furnaces of...
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Making the most out of council websites
Some visitors may know what they want, for others navigating local government websites can be a frustrating process – how can councils change?Last year, the London borough of Hammersmith & Fulham...
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Lessons for local government from the 2012 Games Makers
Volunteers at the Olympic Games faced a challenge which played to their strengths and offered something in returnNow we've all drawn breath after a thrilling summer of sport, local authorities and...
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What do you do in local government? Share your story on #OurDay
Council staff are proud of their work, but they need to get better at talking about it. Today's live 'tweetathon' will helpA relatively common misconception of local government is that the main thing...
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Youth commissioners help shape your services around young people's needs
Reading council appointed a team of young commissioners to scrutinise their work – and learned how to get the best from themEarly last year, we decided it was time to involve young people in the...
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We can work it out: the human hurdles to collaboration in local government
Foibles such as fear of change, lack of trust and intimidation can undermine partnerships between councils and other agenciesAs local authorities come under pressure to reduce their spending,...
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Working lives: life as a local government consultant
A career as a consultant is a rewarding profession, not a stop-gap between more important positionsIt's still there, that thing that has been keeping you awake at night. Perhaps it's a new government...
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To hear your community, you need to turn down the background noise
Tweets, blogs, comments, consultations: picking your way through the cacophony of community engagement is an important taskThe demand for community engagement in local government is reaching a fever...
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Helping people to help themselves
Surrey county council is applying the principles of restorative justice to save money and turn residents' lives aroundEvery local authority is grappling with the challenge of increasing demand for...
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Live discussion: using data to understand your residents
Join our panel live from 12pm on Wednesday 24 October to discuss why data is important, and how councils can collect and make the most of itCouncils collect data all day long, but how much of it do...
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Talkpoint: what makes a good councillor?
Last week a high profile group of MPs heard evidence on the good, bad and ugly of elected local office. What do you think?Last week the Department for Communities and Local Government select committee...
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