Transformation
Human Learning Systems’ public service for the real world
Dawn Plimmer explores what an approach focused on making the process of change more human has to offer as an alternative way of organising public services.
Ongoing channel shift is the future
'I think we need to focus on putting more time, effort and thought into our digital channels and only help customers in person when they really need us', says chief executive of East Hampshire DC and Havant BC Gill Kneller.
There's never been a better time to consider the future role of councils
We now have a golden opportunity to build on the lessons learned during the pandemic and elevate our organisations so they are 'even more interventionalist, proactive and relevant come 2030', says Nicola Beach.
Walsall's £29m savings plan suffers delays
The council’s flagship £28.9m savings programme has been hit by delays as COVID-19 continues to take its financial toll on the sector.
Carpe Diem - Seize the Day
Chief executive at Cratus, Nick Kilby, has been judging the finalist for the Community Heroes Award for The MJ Awards. He says the experience left him feeling ‘emotional and heartened’.
Reset, Reform, Renew and Resilient – a prospectus for local placed-based recovery
A new Socitm prospectus drawing from more than 200 local authority recovery and regeneration strategies offers decision makers the help they need to sense check their plans, says William Barker.
Getting set for a post 9-to-5 culture
Is it a case of the ‘death of Dolly’? Jason Wheatley explains why it’s important organisations re-imagine their places of work to meet the changing requirements of a post-pandemic world.
Effective digital services need the right blend
Dave Mann says the best way to hold and retain institutional memory and build good services is through blended digital teams, ‘not short-term thinking and temporary projects’.
An impressive transformation
South Lakeland DC's main office building has been refurbished as one element in a wholesale transformation of the organisation, says Lawrence Conway. The council is 'now in the position to further embed our new ways of working', he adds.
Commission calls for local government to chair ICS partnerships
Local government leaders or metro mayors should chair Integrated care systems (ICSs) partnerships, according to a new report from the cross-party Health Devolution Commission.
Taking bold action for communities
‘Bold, public, political leadership’ with many forms of ‘listening’ as a critical feature has been at the core of Barking and Dagenham’s and Greater Manchester’s successes in recent months and years, say Sarah Gillinson and Chris Naylor.
Buckinghamshire’s break for success
Martin Tett looks at how Buckinghamshire Council’s unitary status removed some barriers to successfully responding to the COVID crisis and how it is now tackling residents’ mental health and wellbeing as it moves towards a greener future.
Edinburgh’s next chapter
The last 15 months have emphasised the City of Edinburgh Council’s strengths as an organisation, says Andrew Kerr. He reviews what has been achieved and looks ahead at the future strategic priorities for its workforce and the city.
Reflection on the year gone for iESE and the challenges ahead
Chief executive of iESE Dr Andrew Larner looks back on an unusual year, and highlights the creation of the next generation of care records management as a significant task for the year ahead.
Bringing data and teams together to help make reorganisation a success
Steve White looks at the challenges and opportunities emerging from local government reorganisation, and says system rationalisation can be a major benefit.
Working our way back to normality
Steve Guest says creating and maintaining COVID-safe and sustainable working environments is just the first step – and ‘workspace’ thinking is the way forwards – as we return from the pandemic.
The future is already here
Success can only come from choosing our battles - and our timing - well, and working for change collaboratively across the sector, says Abdool Kara.
IT modernisation holds the key to ‘build back better’
It is crucial that the Government moves even faster to deliver the digital public services now expected of them, argues Oracle’s UK Country Leader Richard Petley.
Will Zoom speed up reform?
As the Government plans a new round of public sector reform Michael Burton considers the impact of the Zoom revolution.
Town halls told: Don't depend on COVID cash
Councils need to wean themselves of COVID cash to fund social care before it runs out at the end of June, a director has warned.
