I am regularly asked by local authorities and other public bodies what they can and should do about long-term service contracts and strategic partnerships with the business sector.
Often political leaders and senior executives – who may or may not be the ones who agreed the original contract – may be feeling that the relationship is tired or that performance,...
It is vital that any merger between organisations enhances the contribution made to beneficiaries and meets essential criteria
Many third-sector organisations are actively considering a merger with others. This is inevitable and such moves can produce positive benefits.
As a trustee of an organisation currently considering a merger I believe that it is vital that organisations, and in particular their trustees,...
Some local authorities have joined the campaign for a living wage – but why not all of them? It could give councils an opportunity for tangible community leadership on an issue of great concern to their citizens
The campaign and enthusiasm for promoting and implementing a ‘living wage’ policy are gaining momentum.
This week is Living Wage Week, with events...
The government’s U-turn on prison outsourcing does not mean that ministers have abandoned their commitment to public sector reform or to increased competition. Too many people confuse outsourcing with reform
Yesterday’s announcement by the Ministry of Justice not to proceed with the previously expected scale of prison outsourcing has generated a flurry of frankly bizarre commentary.
Some in the business...
Prior to the General Election in 2010, there were 'Local Strategic Partnership' (LSP) arrangements in almost every local authority area in England. The 'New Labour' Government had encouraged these partnership structures and indeed, had made some elements of central government funding dependent on their existence. The Audit Commission referenced the effectiveness of LSPs in its local authority inspection assessments....
Over the last couple of years, I and some others have been arguing that the traditional model of public sector outsourcing has reached the end of its natural life – or if not, is very close to it.
Increasingly, the evidence is growing that this view is shared by some, if not most, public sector senior managers and local government...
Have you ever paused and taken a few minutes to quantify the collective knowledge, experience, expertise and ‘know how’ across local government?
If you have, then I am sure the answer...
I am a great advocate of local authorities being strategic, and being led by political and executive leaders with a clear vision. Leaders who know where they want the authority and the place it represents to go.
Strategies and plans that will enable them to get there, and which are understood by local citizens, local businesses, the local voluntary sector,...
The community rights to challenge supply and to bid to own local assets can only work if councils develop constructive relationships with the voluntary sector
Last week I had the opportunity to be invited to a local voluntary and community sector (VCS) conference on the opportunities and challenges of the government’s localism and ‘community right to challenge’ policies.
And thus I...