Relationships between citizens, their communities and local authorities are changing. In part, this is a result of the unprecedented cuts in public expenditure and local public services. However, it is also both a consequence of the combination of demographic changes and a growing demand for traditional public services, and a result of an evolving, less deferential attitude and ‘a...
Calls for greater transparency in public sector contracting are gaining momentum. This chorus for democratic accountability will grow.
These calls have been coming from many sources including The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, the National Audit Office, trade unions, campaign groups and even the CBI and some of the major corporate sector public service providers.
I feel that the campaign...
The early termination of Atos’s contract to carry out fitness-to-work tests offers an opportunity for transparency and reflection. We must know the details of the deal struck, while ministers should review whether the policy is fundamentally flawed
The news today that Atos’s contract with the Department for Work and Pensions to deliver Work Capability Assessments has been terminated 12...
Having recently judged entries for the National Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2014/15 (to be presented in Birmingham this tomorrow evening, 19 March), I realise that there are some exciting initiatives and some great professionals in the UK public procurement service.
Sadly, I also know from direct and indirect experience and reports...
It is time to put people – users and staff – at the heart of all public services.
When commentators, politicians, the media and others criticise the concept of outsourcing or particular outsourcing contracts and contractors it is important that they distinguish between employer and employee. Public service professionals work in the public, social enterprise, charity and business sectors. Many...
In every community and every neighbourhood and every day, citizens are volunteering to support their neighbours and their communities. This should be celebrated.
Even though I do not agree with all of Colin Rochester’s thesis, reading his Rediscovering Voluntary Action: the beat of a different drum has reminded me of the historic and contemporary importance of voluntary social...
The CBI’s proposals for more transparent public sector contracts are a good start. But there remains scope to be bolder and more ambitious
It was refreshing and encouraging to see the CBI declare itself in favour of greater transparency in public sector contracting. Let’s hope that government and the wider public sector responds enthusiastically and actively to this call...
Reading the CBI's latest report on public services: 'Creating a Better Purchase' I had a distinct sense of de ja vu.
Sadly, the findings of its recent survey of members on their experience and thoughts on public procurement seemed all too similar to those that the CBI was expressing a decade ago when I was involved with its...
The headline ‘Local authority chief executive post being abolished’ fills me with huge anxiety for the local authority, its political leader and its place.
The roles of chief executive and leader are complementary, but different. In my experience, the most effective local authorities are those which benefit from a combination of excellent political and executive leadership. As a former council...