Transformation
Devolution is my ‘unfinished business’
Pat Ritchie is leaving her role as chief executive of Newcastle City Council after more than eight years at the helm. She talks to Heather Jameson about her legacy and what she sees as her three key achievements.
Watchdog criticises council's slow pace of improvement
Audit Scotland found South Ayrshire Council had ‘made limited progress on key aspects of Best Value’.
Building forward in local government
Failure by the Government to recognise the great strides councils have made harnessing the positive power of technology during the pandemic would be a significant opportunity missed, says Pauline Yau.
Future Forum: Call to replace transactional with relational
A forthcoming report by the Demos think-tank advocates moving from ‘transactional’ to ‘relational’ public services.
Transforming services through COVID
Keeping children’s services going through a pandemic was hard enough, but St Helens MBC has embarked on its own journey of transformation, as Jim Leivers explains.
Row holds up Better Care Fund plan
A multi-million pound dispute means Cornwall Council and the NHS Kernow care commissioning group have yet to sign off their Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for this year.
Another route to reform?
Dealing with multiple emergencies, and a funding crisis with nothing but challenging times ahead, local government needs reform more than ever. Paul Abraham explores what a practical evolution of public services could look like and what steps we can take in the short-term to get us there
‘No evidence’ integration improves healthcare
New analysis of health and care integration pilots has questioned the benefits they bring about.
SEND children being left behind by council
Children with special educational needs are being left behind by council services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, inspectors have found.
Digital Innovation delivers COVID-19 test success
Clever design using low-code digital tools was key to developing an effective public COVID-19 test booking system for Wigan’s residents, says Steve Baldwin.
Climate change: ‘community is the new COP’
Sharon Kemp says to have any meaningful impact on the global climate crisis ‘we need sustained leadership, commitment and action at a local, regional, national and international level’.
How can procurement drive digital transformation?
Procurement can set the tone and determine the successful outcome of a digital transformation project; getting it right will reap dividends further down the line, says Craig Elder at Browne Jacobson.
The digital journey: From baby steps to giant rewards
Councils embracing smart technologies are making better use of the data they already hold and transforming the relationship with local communities, says Civica.
Don’t panic! We’ll still collect your bins!
Brian Norris and Rob Bradshaw look at communicating budgetary restraint in local government. Clarity, transparency, and a clear focus on residents’ priorities are key, they say.
Levelling up is taking shape
A White Paper aimed at boosting local recoveries is expected later this year. Three strategic economic opportunities in the East Midlands represent what levelling up and building back better are all about, says Richard Carr.
How will neighbourhoods look post-pandemic?
As the country attempts to recover from the impact of COVID, ‘place’ is currently being prioritised. Kate Wilson says those with good local leadership and the best talent will emerge in the best position to cope with the economic fallout.
Supporting the most vulnerable in Herts
Hertfordshire CC is investing £9.6m to support its most vulnerable residents in overcoming the repercussions of the pandemic. Scott Crudgington explains why the council is determined to remain ‘a county of opportunity’ for all.
Putting the buzz back into our high streets
Stephen Cox looks at the changing face of the high street and town centres in a post-COVID world and says there is hope we are about to enter a period of real transformation.
PwC to help Nottingham transformation vision
Nottingham City Council will pay consultancy PwC £400,000 to help draw up its ‘vision for what it wishes to achieve through transformation’.
Building on a culture of innovation in Kingston
Kingston RLBC learned lessons from its COVID response that will change both the jobs staff do in future and where those roles are based. Tessa Cole talks to Ann McGauran about ‘a real shift and disruption in working practices’.
