Shrobona Bhattacharya: Strengthening community cohesion in Cambridgeshire
The Council and local charities work together to defeat loneliness and social isolation
Brenda Burgess: Being a councillor is about being absorbed in community life
So much of the role is apolitical. Arts projects for schools. Honouring local heroes. Planting flowers and removing weeds.
Marc Jones: Safeguarding the British way of life means protecting the countryside
It is rural England that forms the bedrock of Conservatism. But we must not take its support for granted.
Council by-election results from this week and forthcoming contests
The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Worcestershire. The Conservatives also held a seat in Windsor and Maidenhead.
Peter Golds: Once again, Tower Hamlets is in the news for chaos and corruption
Labour claims to be concerned about what they call “voter suppression.” They should sort out their own Party.
Gareth Lyon: By professionalising councillors, we are repeating Parliament’s mistake at a local level
Ever greater state funding is being followed by ever greater statism in political thought – and the decline of independent thought.
Harry Fone: Sheffield City Council employs 24 press officers
Residents want low taxes and regular bin collections, not big PR budgets and regular spin.
John Bald: The legal system – and a book that indoctrinates, not educates
A feminist account declares that judges “decide our laws”. There is no mention of parliament.
Shaun Bailey: Delaying Brexit is a useful distraction for the Mayor of London
I am determined to refocus the conversation: to how we bring crime levels down; and build the homes we desperately need.
Council by-election results from yesterday
The Conservatives gained a seat from Labour in Daventry. But the Conservatives lost a seat to the Lib Dems in Powys.
Mimi Harker: Councillors can help the Conservative Party adapt to the less deferential age of social media
Politics has changed. Elected members need to champion the community. Being aloof is no longer tolerated.
Matthew Barber: We don’t have a system to adequately investigate and prosecute fraud
In Thames Valley we have had some groundbreaking investigations. But there are too many agencies with overlapping responsibilities.
Susan Hall: The Prime Minister is serious about defeating the drugs gangs. But the Mayor of London is not.
Thousands of teenagers are exploited through County Lines. The Metropolitan Police force area is the largest exporting hub to the rest of the country.
James Halden: The Conservatives are delivering for Thurrock
We made savings which allowed us to create news teams. These work with all schools to spread tested practices to support good mental wellbeing.
John Myers: Blair is still refusing to apologise for holding down the housing supply
The former Prime Minister pretends the threefold rise in house prices during his term in office was inevitable. Not so.