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From the Public Leaders Network

It may be too fanciful, but how about banning car ownership?

The UK is approaching a national traffic jam, but we'll keep driving until public transport is seen as a viable alternative, says Alan Whitehead
Libraries are a lifeline for remote communities

Ann Cleeves is one of several authors embarking on a challenge to bring literary events to some of the wildest and most beautiful places in Britain

Comment and analysis

Social work for a charity: why I’m sticking with the third sector

The job satisfaction and diversity of work with young people means I can’t imagine life in a local authority
Five reasons why public servants should join a union

From pay negotiation to legal advice, Prosect’s deputy general secretary explains why newcomers should join a trade union
All analysis

What will happen to the civil service if Scotland votes for independence?

Yes vote would create bonanza of senior jobs in Scotland since existing welfare and tax offices in the country are mostly clerical, writes David Walker
What role will councils play in the social care system of the future?

Councils can be the proactive curators and brokers of truly personalised care with five main functions, writes Carrie Bishop
All comment

News

Met police to publish stop and search data

UK's biggest force signs up to code of conduct after discovery that quarter of searches last year may have been illegal
Councils in poorest areas suffering biggest budget cuts, Labour says

Hilary Benn accuses government of unfairness as he publishes data that shows cuts for richer councils are up to 16 times smaller
Spending watchdog accuses DWP of hiding universal credit's failings

Public accounts committee says that categorising the scheme as 'reset' may have been to prevent scrutiny and hide problems

Civil service welcomes ban on all-male shortlists

Plan to get more women into senior Whitehall jobs is step in right direction – but more support for diversity still needed
Government chief operating officer Stephen Kelly resigns

Senior civil servant to leave government for private sector after responsibilities removed in Whitehall shake up
Help to Buy was 'not designed to be rolled out nationally'

Council that claims to have invented the coalition's flagship housing policy says the government has damaged young people's prospects, reports Hannah Fearn
Manchester's housing deal will bring 6,000 new homes to the east side

Jane Dudman: The £1bn regeneration invests in poorer neighbourhoods at a time when housing has hit an affordability crisis
From a giant vagina to burned toddlers: assessing the dangers of public art

When sculptures cause harm, taxpayers pick up the bill. How can public bodies assess the dangers?
More from the public leaders network

Local government

Over-reliance on private housebuilders is fuelling UK’s housing crisis

To end dramatic shortages, local authorities and non-profit organisations need to take on more housebuilding
Why I support the creation of a local government digital service

The success of GDS has prompted calls for a digital service for local authorities. Despite several flaws, it’s a good idea
Small businesses are being locked out of local economic decision-making

Local enterprise partnerships are dominated by large businesses to the detriment of growth in our communities
Four of the UK's most innovative libraries

From robot building to cooking lessons, public libraries are creatively staving off the threat of closure
Housing zones policy sets tough criteria for councils that want share in funds

Hurdles local authorities must jump to secure slice of £200m pie mean initiative could struggle to encourage housebuilding

Live Q&As

How to ensure our public services benefit from the right digital skills

For a truly digital government we need to address a skills shortage and risk averse culture. Here, experts discuss solutions
How to develop digital skills in central government – livechat

Join us on Friday 11 July from 12-2pm to discuss how to get the right skills and culture for digital innovation in Whitehall

Elsewhere on the Guardian

RBS leak claim: cabinet secretary hits back at Alex Salmond

12 Sep 2014: Jeremy Heywood rejects suggestion of improper interference by civil service, saying Treasury had merely confirmed RBS's contingency plans
The pub with no alcohol: creative ways to help recovering addicts

12 Sep 2014: Brent Clark works with service users to create innovative solutions for aftercare
'Poison pill' privatisation contracts could cost £300m-£400m to cancel

11 Sep 2014:
'Unprecedented' clauses guarantee firms 10 years of profits even if new government scraps controversial probation contracts
22 tips for newly qualified social workers

11 Sep 2014: Starting your first job as a social worker can be terrifying, so we asked for tips from people in the profession

What our members say

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Public leaders and local leaders

Welcome to the Guardian's Public Leaders Network, which has now expanded to bring our 18,000 members insight into the policies, decisions and people shaping public services.

We now have one platform for leaders from all public services, including local government, to share good ideas.

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Society

A yes vote in Scotland will bring big change to UK civil service

Akash Paun: Civil service will play a major role in negotiations over independence and a transition to separation, but it will also be transformed by the vote
Society

Residential care must reinvent itself so it is no longer seen as a last resort

Paul Burstow: The Demos review of residential care suggests decisions about what care we need must be separated from decisions about where we live, not bundled into one take-it-or-leave-it option
Society

The police and the NHS are showing the way with their equality initiatives

Roger Kline: The link between leadership profile and service effectiveness requires decisive action on equality in the public services
More from SocietyGuardian

Guardian Professional Networks are community-focused sites, where we bring together advice, best practice and insight from a wide range of professional communities. Click here for details of all our networks. Some of our specialist hubs within these sites are supported by funding from external companies and organisations. All editorial content is independent of any sponsorship, unless otherwise clearly stated. We make Partner Zones available for sponsors' own content. Guardian Professional is a division of Guardian News & Media.

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