The public sector is obsessed with jargon, and one particular term which is over-used and abused is ‘commissioning’. I have rarely encountered any two organisations which share a common definition, but most commonly, and incorrectly, it is used interchangeably as a term for procurement – perhaps with a softer hue, politically more acceptable or simply more sophisticated-sounding.
For those few...
The day after the local government election I wrote a Public Finance blog drawing attention to the very disappointing, indeed lamentable level of turnout by the electorate. I made the point that there is a declining lack of interest in formal political processes and in the orthodox political parties, especially with regard to local government. However, very...
The low turnout in yesterday’s local elections has to be a wake-up call to politicians. We have to understand why people chose not to vote and ask some serious questions about the future shape of local democracy
Congratulations to the cohort of newly elected councillors. They have an opportunity through their actions to demonstrate the value of local government and...
Double dip recession, calls for all Whitehall departments to prepare further cuts, the Comprehensive Spending Review brought forward to 2013, demographic growth, government borrowing remaining high – the financial prospects for local authorities are bleak.
Councils may have managed to balance their budgets for 2012-13 and for the remainder of the current spending review period (provided that they are not...
As Chris White MP’s excellent Public Services (Social Value) Bill is enacted it is important that its ethos and ambition is embraced across the public sector by commissioners, procurement executives, senior managers and political leaders. It is equally important that business and social sector providers also embrace it. And, of course, staff delivering public services in all sectors.
The Bill...
Contracting out police services poses difficult questions and a variety of risks. We need a serious debate if public confidence in policing is to be maintained
The current debate about the appropriateness of outsourcing elements of the police service raises some broader and important questions.
These questions need to be addressed urgently given the government’s stated direction of travel in its...
Public service leaders – both politicians and executives – really ought to avoid trying to be fashionable for its own sake. It is far too easy to be seduced by the latest policy or practice idea because it's getting rave reviews in the media, creating a buzz amongst chattering folk – or because it sounds exciting. And too many...
The changes hitting local government pose a number of new legal challenges. Councils must get to grips with them if they are to do more than just ‘muddle through’.
When the government announced the Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn of 2010, many commentators, practitioners and political leaders anticipated a massive and immediate impact on local authorities. Radical responses were...
The long awaited launch of Big Society Capital marks a major step forward for social investment in the UK and for the charity and social sectors. It has the potential to lead to significant improvements in social outcomes, innovation, and a greater choice of suppliers and services.
Many charities and social organisations have large ambitions but are held...