An exploration of how rising care costs in the UK are driven by privatisation, complex financial structures, and large‑scale profit extraction, and how these pressures affect frontline care workers and local government. The discussion examines the inequalities created by the current model and the actions councils and national government can take to ensure care strengthens communities rather than fuels profit.

Discover insights from Averil Price’s book The Legacy Coach: Your Next Chapter, Your Legacy, Your Way and our Truth About Local Government podcast. Explore why legacy isn’t about hierarchy but humanity, practical steps for navigating career transitions, and evidence on how coaching boosts resilience, performance, and wellbeing. Learn actionable strategies to clarify your control, leverage weak ties, and start small for intentional change.

Discover why creating a City of Culture is more than a year of events, it’s a long-term strategy for economic growth, social cohesion, and public health. Learn critical success factors, how to balance ambition with sustainability, and why inclusivity matters. Explore lessons from Europe, evidence-based planning, and the role of arts in improving well-being. Culture isn’t a luxury, it’s a catalyst for transformation.

Optimise local government culture with Barrett Values Centre tools. Truth About Local Government helps councils measure culture, identify leadership gaps, and embed values into recruitment and systems. Our 12-month programme builds engagement, retention, and performance, with annual diagnostics for sustainable change. Transform culture into a strategic advantage and deliver better outcomes for staff and residents.

Business rates reform will reshape local government finance from April 2026. Councils must act now: model the 2026 revaluation impact, review Autumn Budget relief measures, engage with MHCLG’s reset methodology, strengthen NNDR forecasting and appeals contingency, and communicate multiplier changes to businesses. These steps will help manage risk, seize growth opportunities, and ensure stability during the most significant reset in over a decade.

Discover how AI is transforming UK local government services, from contact centre automation to predictive maintenance. Learn where AI delivers measurable impact, where investment makes sense, and the governance essentials councils need to avoid risk. Explore real case studies, £8bn savings potential, and a leadership checklist to ensure transparency, security, and resident trust in every AI decision.

The Myth of the Business Model in Local Government The phrase “We need to run this council like a business” is one of the most persistent myths in local government. It’s easy to see why it appeals: councils manage budgets worth hundreds of millions, employ thousands of staff, and deliver services to a population that rivals the customer base of major corporations. Surely adopting a business mindset would make them leaner, more efficient, and more innovative? The truth is mor

Barrett Culture Score: A Powerful Metric for Cultural Health. Move beyond Gross Margin, NPS, and Market Share, now leaders can measure culture with the Barrett Culture Score. This comprehensive metric combines key cultural drivers to reveal organisational health, track evolution, and benchmark across industries. It’s actionable, insightful, and a proxy for strong leadership, engaged employees, satisfied customers, and community care.

Default cultures emerge unconsciously from past leadership, lacking intentional values management. In contrast, a values-driven culture is consciously shaped by leaders who align systems, policies, and incentives with desired values. By actively managing cultural capital and removing outdated influences through structural realignment, organizations create a thriving, purpose-led environment that reflects their vision.

The Barrett Model is a globally recognised framework for unlocking human potential and transforming organisational culture. Used by thousands of organisations across 94 countries, Barrett Analytics helps leaders build healthy cultures that drive performance and stakeholder success. At its core, the model addresses fundamental human needs and creates environments where people and organisations thrive.

To build a high-performing, values-driven organisation with strong Cultural Health, engagement and low Cultural Entropy, you need an ongoing cultural transformation process, not a one-off project. Using Barrett Values Centre’s Cultural and Leadership Values Assessments annually helps monitor alignment, mission focus and employee needs, driving engagement and sustainable success.

Explore how cultural capital impacts financial performance. This paper reviews research showing that while cultural capital isn’t directly measurable, proxies such as cultural alignment and Cultural Entropy® reveal a strong link to sustained revenue growth. Is your organisation’s culture driving business success? If not, discover why it should be central to your performance strategy.

Alison Golding’s research into West Northamptonshire Council’s post-merger culture offers vital lessons for local government transformation. Her findings highlight the importance of leadership visibility, unified values, and employee voice in shaping resilient councils. Using frameworks like the Denison Model and Cultural Web, she outlines practical steps to build inclusive, high-performing organisations. Culture isn’t a side issue, it’s the strategy.

Local councils face a delicate balance between driving economic growth and maintaining fiscal prudence. With billions committed to regeneration and new institutions like the National Wealth Fund, opportunities abound. Yet Section 151 officers must navigate the Prudential Framework while enabling long-term investment. Strategic authorities and digital integration offer solutions, but capacity and governance challenges remain.

Rochford District Council is leading transformation under Cllr Danielle Belton, championing member-led leadership, inclusive governance, and community empowerment. From protecting the Greenbelt and supporting local businesses to navigating Local Government Reorganisation with record-breaking consultation, Rochford offers a bold, resident-focused model. Discover how strategic clarity and local identity are shaping a resilient future for this Essex district.

Discover how local government can make training stick using the COM-B model. Learn why £42bn in workforce development often fails to drive behaviour change, and how capability, opportunity, and motivation must align. Explore practical strategies for embedding learning, measuring success, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. Featuring insights from Kevan Collier and the Truth About Local Government podcast.

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