Agent 151: FDs should back Cipfa resilience index
Agent 151 argues that Cipfa’s proposals for a new resilience index could be exactly what section 151 officers need to redress a shift in the balance of power away from[…]
Author: Agent 151
Agent151: Exploding some myths concerning management consultants
Consultants may be expensive, and they may attract bad press, but they can also be well worth the money, argues Agent151. “If we spend a shed-load of money on consultants[…]
Agent151: Northamptonshire’s section 114 – the Ghost of Christmas Past
Northamptonshire council’s posting of a section 114 notice illustrates the county’s funding plight. Agent 151 wonders whether government will respond with more funding or continue to be a Scrooge. Dickens[…]
Agent151: Review of 2017-Brexit, social care, disappointing budgets, Grenfell
Councils started 2017 with increasing costs and diminishing funding and ended it with worse pressures and no financial relief. The year was overshadowed by two events: Brexit and Grenfell Tower.[…]
Agent151: Spending control needs a credible vision and everyone on board
Local authorities are now in the grip of a budget process dominated by the need to make big savings. Agent151 argues that finance chiefs need to accept that it’s not[…]
Agent 151: Grenfell inquiry must look at government housing policy
The horrific fire at Grenfell Tower was a disaster of enormous proportions that destroyed lives, homes, families, relationships, friendships, and devastated a community. Our deep and most sincere sympathies go[…]
Agent151: Funding and a ‘gentleman’s agreement’
Someone should just come out and say it. We local government insiders all know it’s the case, but I wonder if the general public, the voters out there, are conscious[…]
Agent 151: Don’t shoot the messenger, or the s151
The position of the s151 officer is an insecure one in current times. Agent 151 asks whether the stresses and strains of managing a dwindling budget is getting in the way of[…]
Agent151: Nuclear chickens and the cost of caring for the elderly
The nuclear family was created when society chose to move their elderly parents away from the family and into care homes. Agent151 argues that the nuclear chickens are now coming home[…]
Agent 151: 2016 is on trial
The past 12 months are in the dock. Agent151 covers the trial of an offender that has left many feeling like victims of a crime. M’lud, the next case is[…]
