Transformation
Time for transformation
With the Solace Summit underway, chair Gavin Jones tells local government to reverse public services’ polarity that sees demand as a drain rather than a resource.
We're now a better organisation
Lawrence Conway says Lakeland DC's transformation programme Customer Connect has resulted in a better organisation, 'with a future and vision we all share and all work towards'.
The Northants transformation challenge
Northamptonshire CC still has huge challenges, explains Paul Helsby – but the difference is that everyone is working together to create financial sustainability.
Engaging with our partners
We need to be engaging in a better way with local businesses in our areas so they understand how local authorities work, says Adele Taylor.
New leadership role to boost place-based working
Local government’s sole representative on the new National Leadership Centre’s (NLC) board wants to use her role to boost place-based ways of working.
Be clear on the service benefits of digitisation
Tracie Langley says digitisation is 'worth every single penny' - but it is the service redesign that gives the benefit, not just a shiny new system.
Capita to pay Real Living Wage from April
Capita has said it will pay all UK employees a minimum of the Real Living Wage from April, increasing the salaries of almost 6,000 employees.
Putting community at the heart of decision-making
Cllr Jonathan Slater and James Lee talk to Ann McGauran about Lewisham LBC’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy strategy, and what makes it unique.
Joining the new power dots
Donna Hall explains that ‘permanently wiring new power’ into the way the organisation and system do business takes time and is difficult, but it is the only way it will work for the long-term.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh demand for place-based budgets
A fresh demand for place-based budgets has been made by the co-chair of an independent panel that first made the call five years ago.
Transforming public services
The decision five years ago to wind up Whitehall’s Transformation Unit resulted in a loss of capacity and expertise, according to Pat Ritchie. Now, the new Prime Minister must embrace post-austerity place-based deals, she believes.
Time to wake up
Paul Wheeler says the ‘slow death of capable local political leadership’ is hopefully a wake-up call to parties to invest in and support local politics.
Under pressure
The tragedy of local government is that over a decade of pressure, the urgent has crowded out the important and the big picture has been obscured by the struggle to survive. Dr Jonathan Carr-West asks: how do we move from ‘better’ to ‘different’?
Council to change finance approach after review
Warrington BC has ‘consistently overspent’ against parts of its budget and needs to change its approach to deliver services ‘from a more sustainable financial footing’.
Portsmouth chief to take on CCG leadership
Proposals have been made for Portsmouth City Council’s chief to take on leadership of his Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
How agile is your council?
Local authorities are struggling to implement flexible change programmes, a new survey by The MJ and PA Consulting has found. Michael Burton reports
Former Sandwell chief gets Publica role
Council-owned company Publica Group has announced the appointment of former Sandwell MBC chief executive, Jan Britton, as managing director.
Final reflections
The MJ columnist Allen Graham has stood down as chief executive of Rushcliffe BC. He says the sector is ‘at a unique cross-roads where the dilemmas and challenges facing us must be met with creativity, transformation and collaboration’.
Impact of Integrated Care Fund 'remains unclear'
The impact of the Integrated Care Fund in Wales remains ‘unclear’ despite a £385m Welsh Government investment, the Auditor General has warned today.
The Lexicon: Making it Happen
Bringing Bracknell’s Lexicon project to life was a complex undertaking, says Victor Nicholls – with the local authority’s entrepreneurial role and management of political strategy key to delivery.