The big freeze is prompting councils to prioritise services. Take roads – the essential way most of us get about, whether by car or bus. Most councils have what is called a ‘precautionary network’, that they commit themselves to salting, and details of which they publish (grit is only used when supplies of salt are low). But what proportion of the local road network this covers varies hugely. Ruural Services Network – January 2010...

LITERACY plays a vital role in improving people’s lives.  Not just in enhancing their employability, but also, according to research by the National Literacy Trust, promoting their mental health, well-being and family relationships. Councils around the country are finding out that boosting literacy skills can bring wider benefits for the community, says Robert Bullard. Local Government Chronicle  –  August 2009 Year of Reading In 2008 the...

THE ISSUE of asylum seekers is surrounded by strong feelings, political controversy and emotive arguments.  For councils, who have a legal responsibility to support young asylum seekers, this can mean treading a fine line in a highly sensitive environment. Robert Bullard finds out how two councils are rising to the challenge. Local Government Chronicle –  July 2009 Young asylum seekers are those who are under the age of 18, although local...

HAVE we all been sleeping?  Or, more specifically, do we need an overhaul of the notion of ‘market towns’, and national policy towards them? New research reveals that 11m people live in the 1600 towns that have a population of between 1,500-40,000 people (2001).  SOURCE: http://towns.org.uk/2009/05/28/new-research-on-types-of-towns/   This is equivalent to the population of Greater London and the West Midlands combined.  What is more, they are...

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games give councils ample chances to catch the public’s imagination – not just in sport, but in the arts, culture and education too.