Transformation
ADASS: Green paper to 'jump-start' care finance debate
This summer's social care green paper will 'jump-start' the debate on making the sector financially sustainable, minister Caroline Dinenage has pledged.
Funding reform – or bust?
Councils are leading the way in modernising public services as a response to the ongoing challenges of austerity, but local government is fast reaching breaking point. Martin Reeves calls for urgent steps to be taken by central government to make the most of this opportunity.
Should public services be run like Amazon?
A new study says public services, especially local government, should be radically overhauled saving £46bn in back office costs by exploiting technology now widely used by the global online multinationals. Michael Burton reports.
Can the digital disrupters change the public sector?
Michael Burton is sceptical about a recent report proposing the 'biggest shake-up since the Beveridge report'.
Call for new 'Lego' public sector model
A ‘Lego government’ model of an internet-based public sector based around standardised blocks of online services could release an extra £46bn for the frontline, claims a report launched at the Institute for Government.
Devolution warning for boroughs
London boroughs have been warned they have a ‘relatively brief window of opportunity’ to influence health and social care devolution to the capital.
IFS implores action over growing social care funding chasm
The Government will need to scrap its funding reforms, significantly boost top-ups or centralise care if it is to plug the social care funding gap, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned today.
Hunt hints at green paper contents
Health and social care secretary Jeremy Hunt has said a debate with the public is needed about where funding should come from in future.
One Croydon Alliance is showing results
Croydon's One Alliance has transformed the way agencies work to reduce hospital admissions and improve older people's quality of life. Cllr Louisa Woodley explains.
Breaking down perceived divides
Jill Penn argues there is a responsibility for the public sector as a whole to come together and work collaboratively with its local private and third sector organisations.
How info sharing is improving help for Troubled Families
Stephen Curtis explains why information sharing is crucial to public service reform, while Stuart Bolton and Imogen Heywood take us through the key learning from new research in Staffordshire and Oldham.
Fears raised over £2bn emergency care fund 'crisis spending'
Most emergency social care cash has been spent on tackling immediate crises, a new study has found.
Innovation: we’re just getting started
Local Government lost one of its true innovators recently – and one whose vision for digital innovation in local services will live on for decades to come.
Warning over Slough's 2018/19 budget
Slough councillors have been warned of ‘inherent risks to the delivery of a balanced budget at the end of the 2018/19 financial year’.
'Whiteman has brought energy to leadership team'
Guildford BC’s new managing director has ‘settled into the role well’ and has brought ‘energy’ to the leadership team, a Local Government Association peer review team has found.
Council scraps chief's role as part of transformation
Shepway DC is scrapping the role of chief executive as part of a transformation project that aims to streamline and reshape the council.
STP to ACS to ACO
Diary is used to being kept on its toes by regular acronym changes in local government – but health is even worse for shifting abbreviations.
Culture shock: creating a changemaking culture
Adam Lent and Jessica Studdert introduce four case studies of councils beginning to benefit from a changemaking culture shift.
Who is best placed to lead the integration of public services?
Integration is the mot du jour in public services. But with so many initiatives to bring services together, John Copps explores who is best placed to lead the agenda.
Auditor in clarity call over savings
Falkirk Council has responded encouragingly to previous concerns but needs effective leadership to deliver its five-year improvement programme, the Accounts Commission has said.