Giving examples from Glasgow, James Bonner writes on the need to protect public spaces that under the pandemic have been transformed from having just movement function into places to be, and, going forward, the importance of valuing such spaces from a wellbeing perspective – rather than the usual economic one.
As plans are laid for a green recovery from the impact of the pandemic, public procurement of sustainable and local food is an effective mechanism at our disposal. Sarah Duley from Soil Association Scotland explains how public sector food can be a powerful tool for social, economic, and environmental change.
Why is good data important to the public sector? Simon Roberts and Nick Cassidy, from the Data and Intelligence team at the Improvement Service, talk us through the benefits and challenges of sharpening up data collection processes to be able to harness intelligence more effectively for decision-making.
In his latest column for the Municipal Journal, Jonathan Carr-West considers the challenges for those coordinating the upcoming local elections and reflects on what’s changed for the public over the past five years.
Suir Blueway Tipperary is Tipperary County Council’s newest visitor experience project, developed in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, local communities and businesses. Refurbishing 21km of the towpath saw usage numbers increased six-fold, winning them an award at the 2020 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards.
This edition looks at ways that local government can blend representative and participative democracy. Interviews with Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council Tom Hayes and LGIU Associate Kerry Ferguson, with a sneak peak at local elections offerings.
We have teamed up with Vuelio to provide a weekly elections bulletin with the latest news and updates, ones to watch and campaign information from the elections taking place across the country.
In this blog, Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, weighs in on Scottish Government’s recent launch of a £70m Recycling Improvement Fund.
Dún Laoghaire’s Oratory to the Sacred Heart was built to celebrate the end of the Great War and memorialize the local Irishmen killed in battle. The Divine Illumination Project aimed to highlight the Oratory for both local and international audiences, winning an award at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2020.
Local government has always been at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency. And now, writes Malcolm Powers, councils are key to delivering at fairer, sustainable economic recovery from Covid.