John Tizard
John Tizard is an advisor and commentator on public policy and public services
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’
Public audit will soon need a spring clean
John Tizard and David Walker make the case for a new way of auditing how public money is spent that uses evidence before spending decisions are made - and includes a new office of the '3Es' (efficiency, effectiveness and equity).
Let’s rebuild support for our voluntary bodies
Something is not right in the state of the relationship between local government and the voluntary and community sector – yet the importance of a productive collaboration has never been greater, argues chair of NAVCA John Tizard.
Why ‘good’ consultation is key
The importance of public consultation, especially in the local government arena, can not be underestimated – but it often is. Politicians on a national and local level can survive or fail based on the effectiveness of this process, as John Tizard explains.
The contracting conundrum
Time will tell if outsourcing has had its day as a significant money saving option for the sector. John Tizard and David Walker assess the landscape after this week’s elections.
Carillion: Companies can go bust, councils cannot
After the fall of Carillion, and with social care providers on the brink, John Tizard and David Walker demand a reflection on where the last 30 years of competitive tendering has brought us.
Reach out for long-term relationships
Local authorities should value and want to seek close relationships with their local voluntary and community sector, but this requires a commitment to developing long-term relationships from both sectors, as John Tizard explains.
Let’s take stock
John Tizard pauses to ponder a few of the fundamental questions facing leaders during this important period for the sector.
A champion of the sector
John Tizard reflects on the life of former emeritus professor of government at the London School of Economics – and regular The MJ contributor – George Jones.
