With councils under pressure to deliver more with less while planning for reorganisation and devolution, this year's Local Government Association (LGA) Conference in Bournemouth is a timely opportunity to take stock.
Financial pressures, rising demand, reorganisation, devolution and policy reform are reshaping how councils plan and deliver services. These are challenges being worked through every day by officers and members striving to deliver for their communities, and the conference offers a valuable opportunity to have honest conversations about what will make the greatest difference in this environment.
As a trusted public sector delivery partner, Local Partnerships will be there at Stand P23. We focus on turning ambition into delivery and are currently running a number of programmes funded by central government to provide hands-on support to councils navigating change.
This includes the Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) programme, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government initiative, delivered by the LGA with on the ground support from Local Partnerships. It provides free tailored advice and practical tools to boost housing delivery and has already supported more than 50 councils.
We are also supporting councils through local government reorganisation and working with combined authorities to strengthen governance and delivery capability in a devolving landscape. Alongside this, the Contract Management Pioneer Programme (CMPP) is helping local authorities, and any level of officer responsible for contracts, secure better value from contracts and improve their assurance. Through the programme, more than 500 officers have received training on commercial capability.
Across these programmes, there are consistent themes. They are all focused on the need to build organisational capacity, strengthen decision making and maintain confidence while delivering complex and often simultaneous change. Most significantly, these challenges are deeply human. Successful transformation depends on people working together, sharing insight and building the confidence to act.
If you are planning for reorganisation, responding to devolution, reshaping services, or delivering major programmes, we would welcome the opportunity to talk. Come and meet the Local Partnerships team at Stand P23 to discuss how we can support you in turning plans into delivery and outcomes into impact.
Phil Rance is Chief Operating Officer, Local Partnerships
