Harry Fone: Northamptonshire’s downfall was brought about by highly paid groupthink

Plus: the Public Accounts Committee fails to challenge Council waste. Nottingham still in the lead for extortionate tax.

Harry Fone: Sheffield City Council employs 24 press officers

Residents want low taxes and regular bin collections, not big PR budgets and regular spin.

Stephen Mold: My mission to make Northamptonshire safer

We have made tackling domestic abuse a priority, carried out joint working on mental health, and seen a 30 per cent reduction in burglaries.

Nigel Wilcock: Councils need clarity on how they will be financed after 2020

More statutory activities are being forced on local authorities – without the extra money to pay for them.

Ian McCord: Bay of Pigs, Challenger Space Shuttle, Northants County Council – groupthink destroyed them all

Too often local government lacks proper scrutiny. There is a closed-mindedness that ignores warnings and fails to consider long-term consequences.

Tony Devenish: Seven practical messages for local authorities

Talk of being “cut to the bone” is nonsense. Here are some challenges councillors should be making about unnecessary spending.

WATCH: Corbyn attacks May over Northamptonshire Council at PMQs

“The independent statutory inspection, which concluded last week… was clear that Northamptonshire’s failure was not a case of under-funding.”

Roy Perry: In Hampshire we offer a Council Tax amongst the lowest in the country with services amongst the best.

For the future, more unitary authorities could be a good solution to funding pressures – but not if it means subdividing efficiently-run counties.

Who is to blame for the financial crisis in Northamptonshire?

The County’s seven Conservative MPs are clear that the problems are “self inflicted” due to financial mismanagement. They need to encourage new people to become councillors.

Adam Simmonds: How Free Schools can help defeat crime

We know that children who are permanently excluded from school are more likely to enter the justice system.

Stephen Mold: Forming partnerships to fight crime in Northamptonshire

I will work with landlords, bar owners and councils to combat alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

Conservative candidate for Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner to be chosen on Saturday

The final choice will be between Cllr Stephen Mold and Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage

Adam Simmonds: Why we must reform Stop and Search

The equivalent of 250,000 people every year are stopped and subjected to hugely intrusive searches without the police sticking to the rules.