LocalGov summer digest

Readers have, in the past, asked us to give them a bit of a round up of news over the summer months as many say they are distracted by holidays etc during the traditional ‘quiet’ time for local government news.

In response to this, we have put together a top 10 of the most popular articles on LocalGov.co.uk posted over the summer (essentially during the period when the schools are on holiday).

It’s a quick check to make sure you haven’t missed anything.

Summer top ten

1 Employers move on pay welcomed by union

The deadlock over local government pay has been broken with a move to a 1.25% rise for the lowest earners. 22 July 2009

2 Parties split in storm over revised pay offer

A deep split has emerged between local government leaders over the employers’ decision last week to increase the pay offer to unions.29 July 2009

3 Damning report for Surrey

Beleaguered Surrey CC has been slated in a final report from the outgoing interim chief executive Michael Frater. 11 August 2009

4 New breakaway blow to national pay framework

The future of local government’s national pay bargaining framework was in doubt this week, after it was revealed concern over this year’s proposed settlement crossed the political divide. 13 August 2009

5 Councils urged to prepare for ‘second wave’ of recession

Councils must be prepared for rising problems such as crime, fly tipping and alcoholism, as the ‘second wave’ of the recession takes hold, according to the Audit Commission. 12 August 2009

6 Haringey chief reveals decision to quit council

Haringey LBC chief executive, Ita O’Donovan, is stepping down almost 12 months after the Baby P scandal engulfed her London borough. 2 September 2009

7 Concerns for Baby Peter's siblings as abusers are named

The NSPCC has voiced concerns for the siblings of Baby P after his mother, her boyfriend and his brother - the trio convicted of causing or allowing his death - were named. 11 August 2009

8 Slump in revenues ‘will exceed £4bn’

Council revenues are likely to slump by significantly more than the £4bn identified by the LGA this week, Smith Square has warned. 12 August 2009

9 Ministers call investigation into ‘boomerang bosses’

Ministers are to investigate the costs of senior council officers who receive large pay-outs when they leave post only to secure another job in local government. 26 August 2009

10 Capital woman in the suburbs

Richmond upon Thames LBC chief executive, Gillian Norton, tells Heather Jameson about her past in the Greater London Council – and a future of cost cutting in her council. 5 August 2009