Service Transformation

Further devolved powers will help drive West Midlands recovery

14.08.20: West Midlands council leaders and Mayor, Andy Street, are calling on the Government to grant additional devolved powers to the region to aid its local recovery efforts from the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders have submitted a proposal to Gove...

UK Government launch innovative new digital access pilot scheme

10.08.20: The UK Government has launched the Document Checking Service, an innovative scheme designed to give people easier and safer access to digital services which require identity checks, such as online mortgage applications, financial services and re...

Redbridge Council tells Government: We want our money

25.06.20: Redbridge Council is calling on Government to repay the £45m shortfall in funds that were promised by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick in March 2020. Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, has highlighted the Government&rsqu...

Manchester mayor to offer free Metrolink to NHS and healthcare staff

08.04.20: Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced today (Apr 8) in his weekly virtual press conference his plans to provide free tram travel for NHS staff and social care workers, as a thank you for their service during the coronaviru...

Local authorities given new powers for virtual public meetings

03.04.20: Local authorities across England have been given new powers to enable virtual public meetings using video or telephone conferencing technology. From tomorrow (Apr 4) the new powers will come into play and local councils will be able to hold...

Firefighters given additional roles to support coronavirus crisis

27.03.20: In addition to their role responding to core emergencies, Firefighters will be able to deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances and retrieve dead bodies to provide additional support during the coronavirus crisis. A new and unprecedente...

Government changes procurement policy in response to Covid-19

18.03.20: The government has announced today (Mar 18) a change in their approach to the procurement of goods and services amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with immediate effect. In order to procure goods, services and works with extreme urgency during thi...

West Sussex road upgrade worth £17m announced

18.02.20: The government has given the go ahead to a road upgrade project in West Sussex today (Feb 18), making journeys quicker, safer and more environmentally friendly for communities. The £17m funding package, announced by Transport Minister...

Councils' joint £100m transport transformation plan

17.02.20: Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council are eagerly awaiting a decision from the Department for Transport on a joint submission for over £100m for the second phase of the Transforming Cities Fund. The shared ambition aims to im...

Metro mayors respond to HS2 announcement

11.02.20: A day many have been waiting for, the government has today (Feb 11) given HS2 the official go-ahead following recommendations from the Oakervee review. The multi billion pound project has had its fair share of criticism but it has been deci...

Ep. 5 - Understanding the economic benefit of Social Value, Guy Battle

28.01.20: Chief executive of Social Value Portal, Guy Battle joins us in the studio for the fifth PSE podcast, giving us insight into the specific benefits that come from embedding social value into council commissioning and procurement. With hosts E...

120 NPH leaders call for HS2 to be delivered in full

27.01.20: Over 120 senior business leaders from within the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands have signed an open letter to Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging him to commit to HS2 in full. The letter, published on behalf of the Northern Powerhouse P...

Sustainability: is it time to view economic development through a different lens?

13.01.20: Source PSE: Dec 19/Jan 2020   Mark Lynam is a Board Member of the Institute of Economic Development, and Director of Transport, Housing and Infrastructure in Sheffield City Region’s Executive Team. We need a new paradi...

£15.4m bus station proposed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority

09.01.20: West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calerdale Council’s £15.4m scheme is aiming to deliver a redevelopment for a fresh, fit for purpose facility that complements the surrounding heritage, public realm and urban fabric of Halifax to...

Greater Manchester Town of Culture accolade awarded to Bury

19.12.19: With famous faces such as Victoria Wood, Danny Boyle, Howard Jacobson and Celia Birtwell calling it home, the town of Bury has been revealed as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture. Having been presented with this award, the...