Local government staff have suffered a tough 18 months, with pay freezes, layoffs and spending cuts – and HR departments have been at the sharp end of these changes.

But, with workforces becoming restless about their terms and conditions, unions squaring up for a battle over reform of national bargaining, and no sign that the public finances will improve, the pressure on HR managers will continue with one major difference – the next stage of management will be transformation.Or will it? This critical question and others were discussed by leading HR directors from London boroughs in a round table organised by HR consultancy and people performance company, Penna, together with The MJ, last week.