Recent blog posts from around the School

Description: This weekend saw the announcement that the Government has completed its revisions to the 'Life in the UK' citizenship test, refocusing the questions on British culture, history and sport. According to the Government, there will be no more 'mundane' questions about water meters, job interviews, the internet and public transport. Written by Katherine Tonkiss.
Date:: Wednesday 30th January 2013

Description: "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance", George Bernard Shaw once wrote – it seems to sum up some extraordinary lessons that the recent winter weather is offering us. What really gets people off their backsides and make representations to local councils are things that affect them immediately. Written by Ian Briggs
Date:: Tuesday 29th January 2013

Description: This month saw the 'Communities and Local Government Committee' release its report on the role of the modern councillor. Focusing on the impact of the Localism Act (and associated developments in recent years), Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Committee, suggested that local representatives are now spending less time in council and more in the community. Written by Karin Bottom, Catherine Mangan and Thom Oliver.
Date:: Monday 28th January 2013

Description: Quangos, non-departmental public bodies, or arm's length bodies (ALBs), as they are variably termed, are a category of public organisations that operate with a degree of independence from ministers. These bodies have become an established feature of government, created to deliver policy, offer expertise and regulation (among other functions). Written by Katherine Tonkiss and Katharine Dommett.
Date:: Friday 25th January 2013

Description: I always struggle when local Councillors say to me that they are 'not political'. For me politics is part of everyday life as well as life in local government. To some extent I cannot see that we can operate without it and perhaps it's like the cod liver oil mother used to give me – it's not very tasty but good for you. Written by Philip Lloyd-Williams.
Date:: Thursday 24th January 2013

Description: I heard it again - in a discussion on last Tuesday's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Nick Herbert's piece about the civil service - the problem is that silos remain. Written bu Stephen Jeffares.
Date:: Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Description: In the UK, the deprived neighbourhood has long been a site and scale for intervention and action, giving rise to a variety of forms of neighbourhood governance to achieve a range of purposes. The four predominant rationales for neighbourhood governance are defined by Lowndes and Sullivan (2008): the empowerment of citizens and communities (the civic rationale); partnership to take a holistic approach to an area (social); government through new forms of representation and participation (political); and management in terms of more effective local service delivery (economic). Written by Madeleine Pill
Date:: Monday 21st January 2013

Description: Did you see manager Arsène Wenger's explanation of Arsenal's feeble performance against Manchester City last Sunday? While most players are galvanised by home supporters and see playing at home as an advantage, Arsenal's apparently are scared by theirs. "They have a great desire to do well, so maybe they're a bit too anxious that they don't respond completely to the expectation level of the crowd." Written by Chris Game
Date:: Friday 18th January 2013

Description: This week, the news media is full of concern for certain newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) making personal appointments to their staff. At face value it does seem rather strange that we are replacing one partially elected body with a handful of appointees with another, but perhaps a more serious issue does sit behind this rather ticklish situation. Written by Ian Briggs
Date:: Friday 18th January 2013

Description: Today is the deadline for the submission of the second round of 'City Deals'. Twenty cities and city regions are putting proposals to DCLG based around four ambitious objectives. Written by Martin Stott
Date:: Tuesday 15th January 2013

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