John Tizard
John Tizard is an advisor and commentator on public policy and public services
Is in-house best for innovation
The sector should not fall for the idea that local authority trading companies are more innovative or more responsive than in-house services, writes John Tizard.
Hung council? Just hang on!
Being a hung council does not have to paralyse an authority, says John Tizard. It may be tempting to rush into a deal – but it is better to stay calm and get the right solution.
Growing a new administration
John Tizard offers advice to new council administrations on developing new policy platforms, as well as how officers can explore and agree on the best way to work with politicians
A checklist for new councillors
In the aftermath of the local elections, John Tizard offers advice to new councillors and administrations on how to be excellent and effective.
Perfecting the art of procurement
The Procurement Bill should have been bolder and stronger, says John Tizard. But there is nothing to stop local authorities bringing in some of the measures it should have included, he believes.
It is time to stand up and say ‘enough is enough’
This is not the time for setting unbalanced budgets, but it is also not the time to act as if councils are not political and its leaders are not politicians, says John Tizard.
How is our council cash being spent?
John Tizard puts the case for a review of the effectiveness of local government’s £70bn third party procurement spend.
The steps to success as a new councillor
John Tizard explains how councillors elected in May can best fulfil the commitment to their communities and champion the interests of the people they represent.
The voluntary sector is not a surrogate for the state
Councils can and must show leadership to tackle the deep challenges of the years ahead – but a healthy and dynamic relationship with the local VCS also has a critical role to play, explains John Tizard.
Standards: the search for common ground
John Tizard says collaboration within and between sectors will be crucial to ‘building back better’ – but the principles of governance and behaviour should be universal.
Telling the whole place story
A Fabian pamphlet calls on Labour to commit to a new Place Audit Office (PAO) within the National Audit Office. John Tizard and David Walker explain
I have a dream (about local government)
Greater powers, more devolution and a fundamental review of local finances have been promised to local government by the Prime Minister himself. John Tizard outlines the wide-ranging policy pledges featured in his recent dream.
Genuine community power derives from and requires a strong state
The voluntary and community sector (VCS) should never allow itself to become a surrogate for councils or any other part of the public sector, argues John Tizard.
Nurturing a close community partnership
Community solidarity and social activism should not be seen as a willingness by the voluntary and community sector to step in where the State should act and provide, says John Tizard.
Councils must challenge Government fearlessly for pandemic cash
Local government needs to reach out to others to support a campaign for Government to meet its duty to fund local authority shortfalls, says John Tizard.
Shaping the future after the pandemic
John Tizard argues that during this emergency the sector has stepped up – and the COVID-19 crisis must be a catalyst for ‘a renaissance in local government’.
A wealth of benefits
Community Wealth Building is too commonly seen as ‘local procurement’, but this seriously misses its breadth and potential impact, believes John Tizard.
Social action - core to community wellbeing
John Tizard explains how local authorities can rebuild and transform relations with the voluntary and community sector.
Local government must surely be up for a shift to insourcing
Labour has published a plan for ‘21st century insourcing’. John Tizard says the party is 'not simply arguing for a return to the early 1970s' - 'rather they want to reset the dial’ so that public services are more democratic and accountable.
What should ex-councillors do next?
John Tizard says those staring into the future after losing their council seats should take time to ‘recover and reflect’, and there will always be ways they can use their ‘experience, knowledge, networks and political antennae’.
