Since 2010 the austerity driven cuts to public funding, combined with the governments commitment to open public services, have seen major changes being made to the services being delivered by local authorities. 

Whatever the outcome of the general election, it is certain that funding constraints will continue and the pressure to transform and innovate will persist.  So how will services be transformed?

1. More Commissioning Councils?

There remains a lot of talk about councils moving towards a commissioning model. The LGA's National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England 2014 definition of commissioning makes it clear that this process should focus on need and is outcome based. It also emphasises that a strategic approach to all services is required, as opposed to contracting for individual services on a piecemeal basis.