Visit http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com for more rss feeds. http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/CoreCode/rss/rssdisplay.aspx en-gb Copyright http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com, 2020 Tue, 25 Aug 2020 12:44:26 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 15 Evolution is crucial in any business and Public Sector Executive is no different. Long before Covid-19 even became a thought in the back of our minds, the team at PSE were looking at innovative ways to deliver its content to our audience in a more dynamic and responsive manner. We’re conscious to take the time to both... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 437,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Jun 2020 11:30:00 GMT As if leading and supporting their communities through a life-changing global pandemic wasn’t enough of a challenge, councils have also had to simultaneously respond, adapt and overcome the democratic challenges presented by social distancing – through the advent of online ‘virtual’ meetings. “I think... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,439,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Jun 2020 09:00:00 GMT CASE STUDY: A primary schools perspective of going into coronavirus lockdown  Our Lady Of Walsingham R C Primary School Clare Johanson As the parent support advisor and schools safeguard lead I work closely with all our vulnerable families or those families who just need a little extra support. As daily contact via school... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 453,446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:45:00 GMT Emma Williamson – Head of Scrutiny Services at Birmingham City Council Birmingham City Council held an online Extraordinary Meeting of the Full Council, with 80 members, on 28th April. The Council have now held 15 meetings via Microsoft Teams, including Licensing hearings, Scrutiny meetings and Cabinet meetings. As the impact... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,439,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:00:00 GMT Public Sector Executive is proud to unveil its new Editorial Board, with members from all corners of the public sector. We are keen to hear more from our board members and have hand picked some exciting new members to keep our audience up to date with the latest and greatest in within local government. Our Board now consists... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,436,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:45:00 GMT Cybercrime, including ransomware, is widespread and creating significant data protection and recovery challenges for many Public Sector organisations, but how do you ensure a breach doesn't bring your organisation down? Public Sector Executive, in partnership with Pheonix Software, want to understand the challenges you face in the 'where'... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,439,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:15:00 GMT Content provided by TechnologyOne, editorially reviewed by Public Sector Executive. A CEO’s perspective  Andrew Grant, former CEO of Aylesbury Vale District Council, often questions whether digital transformation even exists at a local government level. I recently invited Andrew to share his unique perspective on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,446,452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 05 Jun 2020 11:15:00 GMT Source: PSE Feb/March 20 Stephen Bahooshy, Senior Commissioning Manager and Nicky Selwyn, Carer and Service User Group Chair, Croydon Council.   Here it is, that age old question: What came first, the bad customer or the bad customer service? (Or maybe we just made that up, whatever). But it’s true though, right? We... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,446,452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 09:00:00 GMT Source: PSE Feb/March 20 A free government whitepaper sets out nine simple steps to successful technology buying for the public sector. Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Technology Solutions document tackles the purchase of both hardware and network services. Reliable and secure online services, telephone contacts, email... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 433,438,439,446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Mar 2020 12:30:00 GMT Source: PSE Feb/March 20 Mary Lanigan, Council Leader for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Steel has been the lifeblood of generations in Redcar and Cleveland. We like to tell everyone we meet that our steel built the world; it’s not wholly true, but our steel did build many of the world’s great bridges... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2950,433,438,446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 10:45:00 GMT We’re living in a digital age. The global cloud computing industry has evolved exponentially with new cloud models and services continually being developed, adopted and deployed. Organisations across all industries, including the public sector, have quickly found themselves with a duty to keep pace and investigate cloud options. But... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,2998,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Feb 2020 09:15:00 GMT Public Sector Executive’s Matt Roberts explains how living in a modern, interconnected world, as we do, means public sector organisations cannot afford to ignore the role of data. Data is all around us in the modern age. Unseen, the digital environment plays a role in near on every aspect of our lives. It influences, manages and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Nov 2019 12:15:00 GMT After the success of EvoNorth earlier this year, we're back for a 2nd year to once again unite the leaders from across the Northern Powerhouse to collaborate, share exciting innovation, build a stronger Northern Powerhouse and take control of our own destiny, together. Still unsure about whether to add EvoNorth to your 2020 diary? Here... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:15:00 GMT Membership club Boundless calls for action on World Kindness Day. Public sector membership club, Boundless, revealed shocking statistics ahead of World Kindness Day on 13 November, showing a fifth of the country’s public sector workers (over a million people) have never received a simple ‘thank you’ in their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:45:00 GMT Following a survey of public sector organisations and their incorporation of social value into the procurement process, in partnership with Wates and the Social Value Portal, Public Sector Executive’s Matt Roberts evaluates one of the clear challenges presented by the data.   Social value is a procurement buzz phrase at... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Nov 2019 16:00:00 GMT Hayley Clark, the acting head of development and impact at the NSPCC, talks about the significant gap in support services for children who have been sexually abused and the Home Office’s new framework for commissioners. The complex and fragmented commissioning landscape for child sexual abuse support services has resulted in a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 435,442,870,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:30:00 GMT JP Marks, director general of work and health services at the Department for Work and Pensions, argues the work of jobcentre work coaches overlaps with social workers, making the point that collaborative working is improving outcomes in the community. At the core of being a Jobcentre work coach is a conversation. An opportunity to resolve... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 870,452,455,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:00:00 GMT In February this year, official Northern Powerhouse Partner, Cognitive Publishing, delivered EvoNorth 2019.  The two day event was designed to amplify and highlight future developments the region has to offer - uniting leaders responsible for fuelling the Northern Powerhouse agenda, including Dr Nicola Headlam, Head of the Northern... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Sep 2019 09:15:00 GMT The government has announced the introduction of new rules to change the future of social value and make the way housing developers stump up the money for infrastructure both simpler and more transparent. These regulatory changes are designed to help achieve its ambition to deliver 300,000 extra homes per year by the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,455 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Jun 2019 10:00:00 GMT We are on a digital rollercoaster, swirling and twirling through a variety of different online advertising platforms – have we forgotten about traditional marketing platforms such as print? The UK is currently the global leader in advertising, generating £6 for every £1 spent on advertising to the economy. This year, UK... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 May 2019 15:30:00 GMT Steve Ford, head of strategy and delivery at Cornwall Council, outlines the incredible work his authority has been doing to provide renewable energy to residents on the south-west coast. In July 2015, Cornwall Council made history by becoming the first rural authority to secure a devolution deal, given power over £568m government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 437,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Apr 2019 09:00:00 GMT The director of The Right to Build Task Force – which advises stakeholders on bringing on more custom and self-build homes – Mario Wolf, who is currently on secondment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, discusses challenges the public sector needs to engage with to deliver housing supply growth. In... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 441,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Apr 2019 09:30:00 GMT Alan Birmingham, CIPFA policy manager devolved governments, addresses a somewhat overlooked problem: intergenerational equity.    As public sector employees’ pension liabilities continues to take off, intergenerational equity could be seen as a major issue for the United Kingdom. However, you wouldn’t know this... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 435,433,436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 10:15:00 GMT Lord Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association, outlines his organisation’s campaign to make sure local government tops to government’s list for this year’s Spending Review. Our #CouncilsCan campaign to influence this year’s Spending Review is well underway and gathering momentum. The money local... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:00:00 GMT Interim chief executive, Ade Adetosoye OBE, reveals the story behind Bromley’s incredible improvement journey in Children’s Services. Improving the quality of services for children, young people and families at pace is a daunting challenge, one which I have encountered regularly during my 25 years of social work practice. To... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 435,440,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Mar 2019 09:00:00 GMT Paul Dennett, city mayor of Salford, reports on how his council has been cracking down on empty homes. Salford City Council brought almost one empty home a day back into use between 2011 and 2016 – and the battle continues. The strategy cut the number of empty properties in the city by nearly 3,000 – the fifth highest... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 441,443,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:45:00 GMT LiveTiles is proud to be sponsors of EvoNorth, taking place on 27-28 Feb 2019 at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Designed specifically for the North, by the North, EvoNorth is uniting over 300 leaders, influencers, and decision makers responsible for building, shaping and delivering the Northern Powerhouse. EvoNorth is the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Feb 2019 16:15:00 GMT Join DELL EMC for their presentation that will explore the continued advancement of technology driven by the four mega-trends of big data, always- connected mobile devices, social networks and cloud computing is resulting in an exponential growth of data and the creation of digital citizens who have access to the information at their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:15:00 GMT Climate change is forcing cities to approach emergency situations differently – and Newcastle University, in partnership with Northumbrian Water, are looking at innovative methods to predict how a city will react in the future. Leading minds behind the project Chris Jones, Brett Cherry, and Professor Chris Kilsby tell more. Cities... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 433,441,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:15:00 GMT "We are delighted to be a Strategic Partner to EvoNorth 2019. We’re looking forward to joining leaders from across the north to hear their vision for shaping the region and how we can help to make this a reality" EvoNorth welcome strategic partner Virgin Media Business to next month's event. They will be supporting our exclusive Health... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Feb 2019 09:00:00 GMT With EvoNorth just around the corner, we caught up with Dr Hakim Yadi, CEO of the Northern Health Science Alliance, to find out why he is attending EvoNorth 27-28 Feb. What does your role as CEO of the Northern Health Science Alliance involve? As CEO of the Northern Health Science Alliance I lead a team which make sure the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:15:00 GMT Jacksons Fencing are proudly sponsoring and exhibiting at Evo North, a conference bringing together leaders from across the North of England responsible for shaping, building and delivering a Northern Powerhouse, later this month on the 27th and 28th February. The Northern Powerhouse is expected to create employment, improve public services... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:15:00 GMT It's a chance to become a key Northern Powerhouse supplier Showcase and elevate your brand through one of our partnership options: ranging from taking to the stage and speaking from the main plenary, to hosting your own thought leadership masterclass, or even having your logo appear on every attendee’s name badge; put your brand in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:15:00 GMT Ahead of next month’s EvoNorth event we caught up with Dr Tracy Vell MBE, Associate Lead for Primary and Community Care, Greater Manchester, Health and Social Care Partnership. Dr Tracy Vell MBE shares her thoughts on the Northern Powerhouse, what it means to her and why she thinks it’s important to attend... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT If you're looking to find out what's happening in the Northern Powerhouse, make new connections, and share innovative ways of working, confirm your attendance for EvoNorth on 27 - 28 Feb 2019. 1 - You'll gain an invaluable insight into what's happening across the north We have a wide range of speakers from across a number of sectors... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Jan 2019 11:15:00 GMT It will face opposition at first, but transitioning to a system of bus franchising is the best and only option to truly modernise transport systems across our city regions, argues Luke Raikes, senior research fellow at IPPR North. England’s new metro mayors are slowly reshaping English politics. Next year, the mayors elected in 2017... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 433,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:15:00 GMT We caught up with Alex Heritage, Chief Executive at the NHS Transformation Unit, ahead of next month’s two-day exclusive networking event EvoNorth.  Alex, shares how his role as Chief Executive is transforming health, social care and well-being across the region, why he is attending EvoNorth and why he thinks attending EvoNorth... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:30:00 GMT Rob Whitehead, director of knowledge and communications at Future Cities Catapult, looks ahead to the exciting future of urban innovation. In the 1986 film ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,’ the titular hero proclaims: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 433,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:00:00 GMT Dr Mia Gray and Dr Anna Barford, both of the University of Cambridge, argue that the ghost of austerity continues to haunt the local government landscape as many councils struggle to offset often profound budget cuts – especially across England. On 2 October, in the prime minister’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:30:00 GMT Interested in artificial intelligence (AI) but confused about how to use it, or where to source the best technologies out there? Roderick Crawford, public sector director at SAS UK & Ireland, lends a helping hand. This has been a year of headlines for AI innovation. From Theresa May’s address at Davos, to Pepper the robot giving... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Dec 2018 15:45:00 GMT If we want to introduce change throughout local government, then we have to encourage our people to buy-in, writes Danny Longbottom, director of local government and health at BT. In my role I have the privilege of meeting lots of people in local government across the UK. More often than not, the subject of digital transformation crops up... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:00:00 GMT Partnering innovative SMEs with central government can help the civil service work smarter in the digital age, writes Tim Skinner, head of central government at BT. In an increasingly digital world, central government faces new challenges. Citizens want instant online access to services on various devices. Meanwhile, your own people need... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:00:00 GMT Ahead of the upcoming networking extravaganza EvoNorth, we caught up with Gary Wallis-Clarke, a member of the Northern Powerhouse Education and Skills group, executive headteacher at West Jesmond Primary school, and its national leader of education. In our interview, Gary reveals what the Northern Powerhouse means to him... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Dec 2018 10:45:00 GMT Could smart cities and social media be the perfect match? Simon Dennis, director of artificial intelligence and analytics innovation at SAS UK, reports.  Politics is a divisive issue and not simply from a philosophical standpoint. Engagement levels are highly polarised across different sections of society. We could postulate... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:30:00 GMT Ryan Reed, head of public sector sales at Swiss Post Solution (SPS), reveals the new ESPO 390 framework, which can help address the need for digital transformation across the public sector.  The administrative and financial burden of manual processes and physical records is taking its toll on across the public sector. The... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:30:00 GMT Ahead of next year’s EvoNorth, taking place on 27-28 February 2019, we caught up with Anna-Jane Hunter, Director of North of England Rail at Network Rail. She will be joining us on our exclusive Transport and Connectivity panel discussion to shed light on future plans across the region. In this interview, Anna-Jane reveals what the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 2899,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:00:00 GMT Marc McAuley, CIPFA’s counter-fraud manager, invites everyone to get involved in next year’s Government Counter Fraud Awards before nominations close this Friday. Fraud is not a new offence in the UK, having been written into the First Statute of Westminster in 1275. While the language was slightly different – referring... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Nov 2018 15:00:00 GMT Alan Bermingham, policy manager at CIPFA, analyses the government’s decision to abolish future use of PFI/PF2 funding arrangements. Many people were caught by surprise when the chancellor announced PFI/PF2 contacts will not be used for future projects, effectively abolishing a funding model first introduced in 1992. It is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Nov 2018 11:45:00 GMT Rose Lasko-Skinner, researcher at Reform, is currently working on a paper looking at choice and competition in the public sector and has written on how failure to understand risk makes for poor procurement practices. Here, she discusses the importance of social value. The “state of crisis” declared in HM Prison Birmingham in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,440,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Nov 2018 10:00:00 GMT PSE take a look at smarter, data-driven ways of working to improve value-based spending ahead of next year's Spending Review.  It’s been almost 10 years since austerity measures first scythed through the public sector. In that time, all traditional methods of cutting costs have been tried and tried again. Reductions to budgets... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Nov 2018 09:00:00 GMT Tim Skinner, head of central government at BT, discusses Intelligent Connectivity, and how it’s transformating central government. It’s no secret that central government agencies and departments face new challenges like delivering focused services to ever more demanding citizens; citizens that want instant online access to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:00:00 GMT Danny Longbottom, director of local government and health at BT, takes a look at public sector frameworks, and explains what his organisation can do to help. Everyone in the public sector is feeling the squeeze. The pressure to reduce costs grows daily. But so does the pressure to deliver economic growth and improve the quality of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Oct 2018 08:00:00 GMT Georgina Maratheftis, programme manager for local government at techUK, paints a picture of what the council of the future could look like – and just how we might get there. It’s a universally acknowledged truth that local government continues to face financial constraints whilst still having to deliver lots of services and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Oct 2018 09:00:00 GMT Tom Leaver, project manager at Future Cities Catapult, examines the rationale behind the creation of the City Data Sharing Toolkit, and explores how this is driving a seismic shift in how cities evolve into our data-rich future. We’re used to big-screen sci-fi future cities being dystopian monoliths to everything wrong with the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Oct 2018 09:15:00 GMT Hugo D’Ulisse, technical director, public sector at SAS UK & Ireland, outlines the top issues you’ll need to consider for making artificial intelligence (AI) a success. When it comes to AI, it feels like the UK has entered into a sprint to the top. In the adjacent lanes are China and the US with all their spending... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Oct 2018 14:00:00 GMT Ben Carpenter, chief executive of Social Value UK, discusses the worth of social value, and argues that, before we start measuring social value, we should ask clearly: what is it, and why? Social value is so much more than a value for money exercise. If you see social value as simply a new catchphrase for ‘efficiency savings’... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Sep 2018 12:30:00 GMT Peter Schofield, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) collaborative procurement programme manager, looks back at the region’s history of adopting social value policy and outlines what lessons his team has learned as a result. Procurement was identified by the New Local Government Network’s Jessica Studdert in March... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 438,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:45:00 GMT In an ideal world, housing should follow infrastructure rather than the other way around, says County Councils Network (CCN) Conservative vice-chairman and leader of Staffordshire County Council, Philip Atkins. In June, CCN held its first-ever housing conference. The event itself was successful and was attended by over 70 delegates and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 441,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Sep 2018 10:45:00 GMT Danny Longbottom, Director of Local Government and Health, BT Local authority budgets are being squeezed. Demand for services is rising. Meanwhile, today’s citizens expect more. In fact, 48% want a simpler and cleaner experience from local government digital services. Forward-thinking organisations are realising that going digital... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Sep 2018 09:15:00 GMT Tim Skinner, Director of Central Government, BT. We believe in building better public services in the UK. Through people, places and ideas. Aligned with the Cabinet Office’s ‘Smarter working’ theme, we want to improve how people work together, where they work and what they use to do their work. Whether it’s in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Sep 2018 08:45:00 GMT We have learned a lot since the last National Social Value Conference, with many organisations both in the public and private sectors now embedding social value into commissioning and procurement. Guy Battle, chief executive at Social Value Portal, reveals what to expect at this year’s conference, taking place in Manchester on 20-21... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 440,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Sep 2018 11:30:00 GMT Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Locality, takes a look at the number of publicly-owned assets being sold off to the private sector after bearing the brunt of austerity, and considers what can be done.  We have known for some time that many of our important local buildings and spaces are being lost. These are our swimming pools and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 447,443,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 Aug 2018 09:45:00 GMT A council that took four years in a legal wrangle to remove a pony from an Isle of Lewis house may have found the four-legged beast a new home. Western Isles council removed Grey Lady Too – a Connemara pony that was taken into the home by pensioner Stephanie Noble on Christmas Eve in 2011 – from its residence in 2014 because... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:00:00 GMT SPONSORED INTERVIEW The public sector, and policing in particular, has often been criticised as being slow to adapt to change. But now, says Louise Fellows, O2’s new managing partner for Homes Affairs, things are changing. She sits down with PSE’s Daniel Broadley to discuss what her organisation is doing to support the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 454,451,452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Aug 2018 11:30:00 GMT Chloe Smith MP, Minister for the Constitution, evaluates the outcomes of the voter ID pilots conducted at the last local elections. We are one step closer to strengthening the integrity of our electoral system through requiring electors to confirm their identity before they vote, building on the government’s commitment to safeguard... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 435,447,454,436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:30:00 GMT Local authorities are being urged to consider the benefits of using anonymised data to improve the way they shape and deliver public services, as well as to plan ahead by predicting how the urban environment will change in the future. By taking advantage of GDPR-compliant and census-level big data produced by Vodafone’s 3G and 4G... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:45:00 GMT Peter Richards, implementation manager at the NSPCC, writes about the benefits of Letting the Future In, an evidence-based intervention for children who have experienced sexual abuse. There is a significant gap in the provision of therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse in all its forms... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 870,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Jun 2018 09:15:00 GMT Following the announcement of the second wave of integrated care systems (ICSs), NHS Providers, the NHS Confederation, NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC) and the LGA reflect on how lessons learnt by members from across the four organisations – that have designed and worked together as part of the vanguards – will support the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 870,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 May 2018 12:15:00 GMT Christopher Gallagher, public sector – SAS, says it’s imperative that organisations have the most experienced data scientists at hand. The Civil Service is feeling immense Brexit stress. Making the right decisions, analysing the ‘best interests’ of the nation as a whole, as well as discrete segments of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 439,870,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Apr 2018 10:45:00 GMT Kath O’Dwyer, acting chief executive of Cheshire East Council, assesses the importance of the women in the authority’s workforce. After speaking at a Cheshire East Council event on International Women’s Day, I started to think about just how much of an impact women make to the workplace in Cheshire East. Cheshire... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:00:00 GMT On the first day of National Apprenticeship Week 2018 (NAW 2018), the director of the National Apprenticeship Service, Sue Husband, challenges some of the key myths around the apprenticeship levy. NAW 2018 takes place from 5 to 9 March. It will be a week-long celebration of apprenticeships in England designed to showcase how... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:45:00 GMT DfE minister Anne Milton MP says apprenticeships are a great way to make sure our public sector has the skills it needs. An apprentice is a way for businesses to improve their skills base, attract diverse talent and encourage new ways of working. Last April we introduced the apprenticeship levy so employers could plug skills gaps... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:00:00 GMT Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week 2018 in March, Sue Husband, director at the National Apprenticeship Service, explains how the public sector can remain fit for the future by investing in skills. Apprenticeships are at the heart of the government’s drive to equip people of all ages with the skills that employers need. They... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Feb 2018 11:45:00 GMT Jen Rae, head of innovation policy at Nesta, says the aims in the government’s new Industrial Strategy are ambitious, but will require a shift in policymaking in order to be realised in full. Last Monday saw the long-awaited launch of the UK’s new Industrial Strategy, the government’s plan for prosperity and growth in a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Dec 2017 09:15:00 GMT The work of social care is on everyone’s agenda. You see it mentioned in reports, on the front pages of mainstream newspapers, as well as in speeches from ministers. The main question that everyone is asking is, how can we improve services for those who need them the most? The answer is something we’re all working towards, argues... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Nov 2017 09:15:00 GMT It’s been a busy day in the PSE office. Philip Hammond’s Autumn Budget included a number of interesting announcements, ranging from new devolution deals and housing measures to changes to business rates. This year’s Statement was described well by Lord Bob Kerslake, who said it had been a “mixed bag” for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Nov 2017 17:15:00 GMT Heather Henry RN MBA, Queens nurse and chair of the New NHS Alliance looks into the issue of health inequality.  Health inequality is like the many-headed hydra of Greek mythology: no matter how many heads you cut off, the beast of rising illness is still coming to get you. It’s time to reconsider the weapons we use to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Nov 2017 14:15:00 GMT Tower Hamlets council has recently confirmed that the former site of a popular gay bar, the Joiners Arms, must include an LGBT+ club for the next 25 years. Many people will be pleased to note that the council voted unanimously to ensure that any demolition of the building would only be approved if a late-night venue was built to replace... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Oct 2017 11:45:00 GMT Ahead of the King’s Fund Annual Conference (29-30 November) on population health and prevention, Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Marie Curie, explains why dying well is a public health issue. The idea that how people die can and should be seen as a public health issue is one that might seem strange to many people. After all... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Oct 2017 08:45:00 GMT Sarah Fraser, head of Willmott Dixon Foundation, outlines the benefits of a strong commitment to social value when it comes to working with public sector organisations and leveraging greater value from contractors. A couple of years ago, one of my colleagues spoke at a social value event. She concluded her presentation with some... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Oct 2017 10:45:00 GMT Few will disagree with the statement that the current landscape of local government is one that has been shaped by seven years of Tory influence. Harsh austerity measures have seen pressures on council-run services, as well as the NHS, mount sharply as demand increases. The resurgence of the Labour Party in June’s snap election... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:15:00 GMT Five years on from the introduction of the Social Value Act, Alison Ramsey, frameworks co-ordinator at Scape Procure, reflects on the key questions that prompted the legislation’s introduction. The Social Value Act was an important landmark. It decisively addressed the need for major public projects led by all public bodies to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Sep 2017 09:45:00 GMT Rt Hon Hazel Blears, chair of Social Investment Business and a leading member of the National Advisory Board for Global Impact Investment, discusses the importance of achieving social, economic and environmental impact through procurement.  Sometimes it’s not the great tones of lengthy legislation that make the biggest changes... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 433,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT Carl Fillery, chief executive of Boundless, says public sector overtime could be damaging if employees can’t take control.  Boundless recently conducted a study comparing weekend working habits in the public and private sector, which made for enlightening reading. Results pointed to acute pressure on public sector staff to stay... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452,434 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Aug 2017 09:15:00 GMT Theresa Grant, CEO of Trafford Council, explains how local authorities in the Greater Manchester area are making every penny of public spend provide that little bit more value for money. ‘Prisoners in Forest Bank Prison in Salford are being given the opportunity to gain an NVQ qualification thanks to a local government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 440,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:00:00 GMT Catch22’s new chief reform officer, Pamela Dow, who used to be the Ministry of Justice’s director of strategy, gives her perspective on what can be done to improve the way public services are designed and delivered.  A good friend of mine and brilliant former colleague, Gabriel Milland, recently wrote an article on why... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:15:00 GMT We all know the difficulties associated with moving to a new town – not knowing your way around, having to integrate into the community and meeting new people. But for those moving to the UK from abroad this process can be even harder, as people have to adjust to a new language and a foreign culture. That’s why a new project... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:45:00 GMT A number of local government leaders and figures have been named in the Queen’s 2017 Birthday Honours list. The list recognises the achievements of people across a number of different sectors by handing out awards for services to their respective fields. All in all, 1,109 people received an award this year, as 554 (50%) of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:30:00 GMT Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today vowed that the capital will stand united after the terrorist incident on Saturday evening that killed seven people and injured many more. In a statement yesterday, he also announced that a vigil would be held at Potters Fields Park, just around the corner from the restaurants and pubs near London... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Jun 2017 11:15:00 GMT The upcoming mayoral elections represent a watershed moment in the history of British democracy, reports PSE’s Luana Salles.  On 4 May, voters across six regions will take to the polls to decide who should captain their public services until 2020.  As part of the elections, the DCLG has kick-started the ‘Our... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 02 May 2017 10:45:00 GMT Emma Hartley, head of campaigns at the Electoral Commission, discusses the importance of a collaborative approach to engage voters ahead of this year’s elections.  It’s vital that voters can easily participate in every type of election so that democracy can work. One of the challenges for the Electoral Commission when new... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 436,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:45:00 GMT Rob Levene, managing director of Bloom, explains why opening up procurement is important to the UK public sector.  Procuring products and services by the UK public sector is big business. The central government procurement budget is estimated to be worth £40bn. So it is no surprise that procurement is a subject that generates a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Mar 2017 10:30:00 GMT Around £1.5m worth of funds will be put towards transformative Arts and Heritage projects in Greater Manchester, as it was announced that the region had been selected as a national pilot area for Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic England’s Great Place Scheme. The scheme will hand £1,489,255 –... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Mar 2017 11:15:00 GMT Alexandra Jones will step down after six years as the chief executive of Centre for Cities to move to the government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as director of Industrial Strategy. It was also confirmed that current deputy CEO Andrew Carter will step in to fill Jones’s position, bringing his... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Mar 2017 11:00:00 GMT From 1 April, most business and public sector organisations will be able to choose which company supplies their water. Crown Commercial Service is bringing the largest public sector water framework agreement to the UK market. Working alongside five other major buying organisations, the agreement is the first of its kind. Sam Ulyatt... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Mar 2017 09:15:00 GMT Nothing less than a ‘whole-place’ pooling of public service budgets and devolution of criminal justice system powers to local level can create the conditions for community transformation, argue former communities secretary Hazel Blears and Lord Patel, chairman of the Mental Health Act Commission. Reform of the Criminal Justice... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Feb 2017 01:30:00 GMT Leaders and mayors from the UK’s 10 Core Cities are determined to build on the legacy of “visionary city reformer” Joseph Chamberlain by striving to design successful, inclusive places in a post-Brexit world. Gathering this week at Highbury Hall, the former home of Chamberlain – who is renowned in local government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Feb 2017 09:15:00 GMT Tony Armstrong, CEO of Locality, discusses how new guidance for councillors and commissioners on taking a ‘Keep it Local’ approach to public services can save money and achieve better outcomes.  This year is going to be a crucial year for local authorities. Years of shrinking budgets and rising demand mean pressure is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Jan 2017 11:00:00 GMT Nine government organisations have been named among the top 100 employers for LGBT staff, making up a substantial part of this year’s list. The Top 100 Employers list, drawn up by the LGBT equality charity Stonewall, found the National Assembly for Wales to be the most inclusive government employer, ranking it in joint fifth with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Jan 2017 11:45:00 GMT A staff freeze has been introduced at Devon County Council as local authorities propose increasingly radical measures to try to relieve financial pressures. The council announced last week that it will not hire any more permanent staff, apart from roles which it has a statutory responsibility to fulfil. Devon is set to overspend by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Jan 2017 11:00:00 GMT The controversy about how different communities can and should co-exist in 21st century Britain received a boost over the weekend as communities and local government secretary Sajid Javid suggested public sector workers should swear an oath of allegiance to British values. The oath was among the recommendations in the Casey Review, which... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Dec 2016 10:30:00 GMT The current chief executive of Wakefield Council will take over the helm at Manchester City Council, replacing Sir Howard Bernstein as he retires after a 45-year career. Joanne Roney has headed Wakefield since 2008, and before that worked as director of housing at Kirklees Council and executive director with responsibility for housing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Dec 2016 11:30:00 GMT Oldham Council has asked people to name its new Mitsubishi Fuso gritting machine, leading the council to be inundated with realistic – and unrealistic – suggestions. The highway team's competition – which is meant to be restricted to primary school children in the Oldham area – has received more than 2,300... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 Nov 2016 09:30:00 GMT Women have been left particularly financially vulnerable as a result of tax and benefits changes since 2010, new research shows. Analysis by the Women’s Budget Group (WBG) revealed that women in the lowest 20% of households stand to lose up to 15% of their individual income by 2020. A man in the top 10% of households, for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Nov 2016 11:30:00 GMT Dr Jill Miller, research adviser at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, looks at how the public sector is addressing employee wellbeing activity. The public sector are ahead of the game in promoting health and wellbeing at work, but as the sector with the highest absence levels, how can they further increase... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Nov 2016 09:30:00 GMT The much-criticised process for assessing whether disabled people are eligible for benefits could be overhauled, the government has promised. The Department for Work and Pensions is due to announce later today a new consultation on reforming the work capability assessment (WCA), which decides whether people are eligible for the employment... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 31 Oct 2016 11:45:00 GMT James Passingham, chief technical officer at Foehn, explains how public sector organisation can get the most out of the Digital Marketplace – the online marketplace for G-Cloud.  G-Cloud – the Government marketplace designed to support the public sector’s digital transformation – makes the procurement of cloud... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Oct 2016 07:30:00 GMT Richard Hatcher, criminal justice lead, UKI, Cisco, discusses the work of a transformational project to digitise policing and justice in Kent.  ‘Charity begins at home and justice begins next door,’ Charles Dickens famously wrote in Martin Chuzzlewit. Nothing like a bit of sobering Victorian social commentary to make a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:30:00 GMT Dr Michael Dixon OBE, GP, former chair of NHS Alliance and former president of NHS Clinical Commissioners, discusses the role of technology in health and social care.  We talk plenty about re-organising health and social care and co-funding, but very little is done in practice. In the meantime, pressures from a growing ageing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Oct 2016 11:30:00 GMT John Lewis’ former managing director has insisted he can win the West Midlands mayoral election as the Conservative candidate next year. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, Andy Street said: “On the last General Election results, we need just a 4% swing for victory. We can win here, we will win... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:45:00 GMT Mike Badham, Healthcare Solutions Architect for Cisco Systems Inc., discusses the importance of digital technology in the modern world of health and care provision, while exploring how a digital strategy can be the key to unlocking efficiencies.  It was Mahatma Gandhi who said ‘your health is your real wealth’. And... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Sep 2016 01:00:00 GMT The Digital Transformation Strategy is being updated to meet the growing remit of the Government Digital Service (GDS) and the challenges of the UK’s forthcoming exit from the European Union. Kevin Cunnington, director general of the GDS, made the announcement as Ben Gummer, the new minister for the Cabinet Office, visited the GDS... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:45:00 GMT Cllr Michelle Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing & health at Sevenoaks District Council, looks at how District Councils can help to shape an environment that is conducive to mental wellbeing. Saturday 10 September was World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organisation estimates that over 800,000 people... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Sep 2016 11:15:00 GMT How easy to read is your website? A new report suggests 82% of council websites could be confusing readers by failing to use plain English. VisibleThread analysed up to 100 pages on 191 local authority websites for factors such as ‘readability’, ‘passive language’, ‘long sentences’ and ‘word... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:30:00 GMT As children around the country prepare to go back to school, the LGA has urged schools to do more to make it easier for parents to buy school uniforms. Cllr Richard Watts, chair of the LGA’s children and young people board, said: “Wearing school uniform can help children to feel part of a community and instils a sense of pride... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Sep 2016 15:15:00 GMT Cllr Ian Stewart, cabinet member for Public Health and Community Services at Cumbria County Council, in his Libraries Taskforce blog, explains why we all must step up and meet the challenge of ensuring libraries are relevant to this day and age. Cumbria is a large rural county, internationally known for being the home of the Lake District... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 Sep 2016 11:30:00 GMT Cllr Michelle Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing & health at Sevenoaks District Council, argues that if Westminster is really serious about tackling homelessness it needs to set local government free to develop solutions. The House of Commons’ Communities & Local Government (CLG) select committee recently... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:00:00 GMT A new government policy of forcing pupils to retake English and Maths GCSEs has been linked to a sharp fall in GCSE results. As thousands of 16-year-olds around the country opened their results, it emerged that the percentage getting a C or above had fallen by 2.1%, the highest year-on-year fall since O-levels were abolished. Critics... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:30:00 GMT The row over the burkini in France escalated today after images emerged of police apparently making a woman remove some of her clothing on a beach in Nice. Nice, along with several other French local authorities, has issued a ban on clothing which “overtly manifests adherence to a religion”. The ban has been seen as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Aug 2016 16:30:00 GMT Cllr Michelle Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing & health at Sevenoaks District Council, reflects on the government’s missed opportunity for district councils to help tackle child obesity in its recently published strategy. It is a shame that the government’s recently published report on childhood obesity... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Aug 2016 10:45:00 GMT Suzanne Griffiths, project manager at Camden Council, discusses the early learning from the innovative Public Collaboration Lab project. There is a growing network of innovation labs, units and i-teams  supporting national governments and cities around the world to develop new policies and strategies to improve public... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Aug 2016 09:45:00 GMT Rachael Tiffen, head of the CIPFA Counter Fraud Centre, recently wrote for PSE about the new Fighting Fraud and Corruption Locally strategy and the importance of strong leadership to enable change. In London, plans to turn up the heat of tackling criminal’s defrauding the capital’s councils have now taken a step forward, as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Aug 2016 10:45:00 GMT  Mike Gill, author of How to Survive Austerity, explains how local government managers can overcome some of the challenges facing the public sector, using seven ‘cherish’ steps.  Uncertainty seems to be an underlying theme at the moment – and as we know uncertainty is not often a good thing, particularly for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Aug 2016 10:30:00 GMT Paul Carey-Kent, health and integration policy manager at CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, reflects on the increasing melt-down in the – social care sector and what it means for the NHS. Since 2010, local government has had to grapple with significant funding reductions. As social care is the largest... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Aug 2016 11:30:00 GMT Cllr Michelle Lowe, deputy leader and cabinet member for Housing & Health at Sevenoaks District Council, reflects on the lack of district council involvement in Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP).  Local NHS areas have been tasked to submit convincing strategies known as Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Aug 2016 10:15:00 GMT I’m sure you’ve seen all the headlines over the past few weeks confirming that Pokémon Go is the newest craze across the UK. It’s hard not to notice it when so many people have started stumbling into you when walking down the street because they’re too engrossed in their phones whilst playing Niantic’s... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Jul 2016 10:15:00 GMT Solace has announced the appointment of a new interim chair as its existing chair prepares to stand down. Gavin Jones, chief executive of Essex county council, will become chair until the AGM in October, whilst Jane Robinson of Gateshead council, the existing chair, is leaving to work in the academic sector. Welcoming the appointment... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:30:00 GMT Alexander Hitchcock, a researcher at the public services think tank Reform, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the government’s Work and Health Programme. A new prime minister committed to public service reform has walked into 10 Downing Street. As home secretary, Theresa May showed that she would push hard for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Jul 2016 08:45:00 GMT Clive Betts MP, chair of the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee, is to head a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on local authority pension funds. The APPG, sponsored by the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), has been established to discuss, amongst other things, the development of British wealth funds.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:15:00 GMT The Local Government Association’s annual conference and exhibition, due to start tomorrow, is a vital opportunity for local government leaders to get together and discuss the challenges they face. The event, which takes place from 5 to 7 July in Bournemouth, features speakers including communities secretary Greg Clark, National... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:45:00 GMT Mike Gill, a partner at management consultancy Libre Advisory, and best-selling author of How to Survive Austerity, on why the public sector (as well as politicians) must become better at presenting itself in a way that is truly meaningful to the public Just deliver more for less. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it? But as we all know... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:30:00 GMT Saffron Passam, a researcher from Aberystwyth University, discusses a collaborative relationship with Joanne Hopkins, chair of the Home Office Women’s Network and senior sponsor to the Gender Equality Network, whose role includes responding to the priorities of gender, diversity, and inclusion matters. In a joint project, they seek to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:45:00 GMT Peter Cheese, chief executive of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, the professional body for HR and people development, says that the government must take time to assess the impact of the decision to leave the EU Now that the British people have had their say on Britain’s future relationship with the EU and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:15:00 GMT Victoria Brambini, interim managing director of Scape Procure, looks at how a Brexit could impact on the sector. The ‘Remain’ and ‘Leave’ campaigns have been running at fever pitch ahead of today’s EU referendum, emotions are high, and it has become increasingly difficult to get beyond the two big issues for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:30:00 GMT The murder of Jo Cox is a shocking blow to public life in the UK. Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed outside Birstall public library, where she had been planning to run a constituency surgery, on Thursday. Thomas Mair, 52, an alleged far-right extremist suffering from mental health problems, was formally charged with the murder at... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Jun 2016 11:30:00 GMT Edward Kunonga, director of public health at Middlesbrough Council, explains how a shared public health and literacy agenda is making a difference in Middlesbrough. The benefits of reading on health and wellbeing throughout people’s lives are very well documented. These range from improving emotional wellbeing to helping with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:15:00 GMT David Rees, head of local government services at PA Consulting Group, and Hazel Blears, chair of the Social Investment Business and former Salford and Eccles MP, discuss how social investment offers a practical solution during austere times. While this year's funding settlement figures have given local government increased certainty, the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 May 2016 10:15:00 GMT Ian Fishwick, commercial director at Innopsis, the public sector technology trade association, reviews the Public Accounts Committee report on government spend with SMEs.  When the Conservative government was re-elected, it announced that having beaten its target of 25% of government spend  to be with SMEs by the end of the last... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 May 2016 15:00:00 GMT The United Nations is assessing whether the proposed cap on tax credit to families with two children breaches the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In response to a letter from Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central, Ibrahim Salama, director of the Human Rights Treaties Division at the UN, said that the United Nations... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 May 2016 11:45:00 GMT The youngest mayor in Britain, and possibly in the world, was elected last week, with 19-year-old Labour councillor Terence Smith being promoted from deputy mayor to mayor of Goole by a council vote. It may sound like a joke, but what Smith, who will serve for a year following the local elections at the start of the month, lacks in life... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 May 2016 11:45:00 GMT As the final round of results from Thursday’s wide range of local and devolved elections came in it was revealed that London was set to have a Labour mayor. Sadiq Khan gained 44% in the first round of voting, meaning results had to go to a second round because he failed to gain over 50%. In the second round he beat Conservative... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 May 2016 11:15:00 GMT Paul Carter, chairman of the County Councils Network and leader of Kent County Council, discusses the need for Whitehall to work collaboratively with councils to deliver an improved education system. In my early days as Leader of Kent County Council, the then long-standing leader of Oxfordshire gave me some wise words of advice... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 446,452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 May 2016 16:15:00 GMT The government’s education policies are under attack as parents of Year 2 children took them out of school today in protest against increased testing, an uncreative curriculum and academisation. Supporters of the ‘Let Our Kids Be Kids’ campaign are sharing pictures of their children enjoying a day of ‘fun... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 03 May 2016 11:30:00 GMT The suspension of the chief constable of South Yorkshire police force after a jury ruled that the 96 Liverpool supporters who died in a crush 27 years ago were killed unlawfully is opening the force up to further scrutiny about historical failings. David Crompton was suspended last night six months before he was due to retire after it was... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Apr 2016 11:30:00 GMT IT leaders can be “enablers, innovators and shapers of business change” the new president of Socitm has said. Geoff Connell, who took over as president of the professional organisation for IT and digital professionals working in local public services at its spring conference, said that local government ICT staff should not be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Apr 2016 11:00:00 GMT An environmentally friendly strategy for government ICT use has finished without being implemented in the majority of government departments, a new report has found. The annual report into the Greening Government strategy, which was introduced in 2011 and is due to finish this year, found that only 10 out of 24 departments have submitted... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:15:00 GMT The Civil Service is advertising a £100,000 a year programme director post for a new scheme to introduce cross-platforms for digital services. The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing the Government as a Platform programme, from the Government Digital Service (GDS), with a £15m annual budget. However... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:15:00 GMT The next phase of the One Public Estate initiative has begun, with grants of up to £500,000 available for council projects to use public sector assets more efficiently. The opportunity comes after the Government announced an additional £31 million in last November’s Autumn Statement to further expand the programme to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:00:00 GMT As the EU referendum draws closer, the government has produced a leaflet explaining to the public why it believes Britain should vote to stay in Europe. The leaflets, which cost £9.3m to produce, will be distributed to households in England on 9-11 April and to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the week beginning 9... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:15:00 GMT Just three council leaders have been chosen in the latest round of overseers for a scheme meant to improve links between health and social care. In total, 41 of the local leaders for implementing the sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) in their area have now been named, leaving only three areas without a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:45:00 GMT The resignation of work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith has plunged the national government into crisis, with the growing divisions in the Conservative party expected to be on display this afternoon when prime minister David Cameron addresses MPs on the EU summit. Duncan Smith is now attacking the very programme of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:30:00 GMT Community-led organisations network Locality has responded to the appointment of eight new commissioners to unlock dormant assets for charity, saying it is important that the new initiative benefits communities. The Dormant Assets Commission announced eight new commissioners from the business sector on Thursday, who will use their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:00:00 GMT New action is being taken to tackle electoral fraud as the Electoral Commission braces itself for May’s local elections and the EU referendum. The measures come as the Commission released new figures showing that there were 481 cases of alleged electoral fraud in the UK in 2015, leading to four court proceedings, three of which... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Mar 2016 11:30:00 GMT By Geoff Prowling: Head of Public Sector Business Operations, Telefónica (O2) UK  Before I joined O2, I spent 7 years as the Head of ICT Procurement for Leeds City Council. Many of the challenges I faced still affect public sector procurement today. Restrictive regulation, lengthy processes and confusing supplier pitches all... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:45:00 GMT Business plans published for every Whitehall department on Friday have already been harshly criticised for giving civil servants a hard time while blocking the public from holding the government to account. The ‘single departmental plans’ were published last week after John Manzoni, Civil Service chief executive, argued they... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Feb 2016 10:45:00 GMT Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Locality, explains why the role public bodies play in facilitating community-led housing should not be overlooked. As the Lords debate the ins and outs of the Housing and Planning Bill, its potential impact, especially on communities, remains very worrying. Affordable housing is increasingly under... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Feb 2016 11:00:00 GMT Jack Hunter, a researcher at IPPR North, looks at how smaller charities are faring in the current climate, and how they can be helped to serving their communities. Sometimes, as the song goes, you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone – and unless public leaders change the way they commission services... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:30:00 GMT In five years we might be asking not whether metro-mayors are too powerful, but whether they are powerful enough, argues Alexandra Jones, chief executive of the Centre for Cities think tank, in this guest blog for PSE. Relinquishing control is never easy, particularly when you’re the most centralised state in the developed world.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:30:00 GMT Nicky Gavron AM, chair of the London Assembly Planning Committee, discusses the options for accommodating London’s growth.  Up or Out? That’s one of the biggest questions people think faces our capital – with London’s population projected to top 10 million by 2036.  But the London Assembly Planning... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 29 Jan 2016 09:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Locality's chief executive, Tony Armstrong. There was much in the prime minister’s speech on poverty and life chances this week to spark comment and controversy. But the key announcement, which was trailed in the Sunday press, was the plan to bulldoze 100 of the country’s ‘worst sink... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Jan 2016 14:00:00 GMT If your children (or yourself) have been asking for a pair of hoverboards this Christmas, you might want to think again. The LGA has come out urging shoppers to stay away from the dangerous toy because of the significant fire risks it poses. The chair of its fire services management committee, Jeremy Hilton, said Trading Standards teams... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Dec 2015 10:30:00 GMT Hamza Yusuf, head of finance at LB Hackney, writes for PSE on the need for creating a new narrative for government and the public sector. Everyone loves a story, particularly when it’s short enough to be digestible and follows a familiar pattern, but in the current political and economic climate, agreed conventions are being flouted... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Nov 2015 11:30:00 GMT Changes to housing policy have been under the public spotlight in recent months as the government focuses its effort to tackle the country’s alleged housing crisis. This arguably peaked during the Conservative conference in October, when David Cameron promised to scrap planning rules that require property developers to build affordable... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:00:00 GMT More than 46,000 older people have been stripped of their ‘meals on wheels service’ in the last three years, representing yet another stark warning that the social care sector is threatening to crumble and crash. The findings, released to mark Meals on Wheels Week by the Malnutrition Taskforce, showed that spending on this... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:00:00 GMT Today is Equal Pay Day. Despite the seemingly positive name, this not-so-celebratory date actually symbolises that, until the end of the year, women will be effectively working for free – thanks to the persevering gender pay gap. The gap stands at around 14.2% in the UK, with full-time working men earning £2.38 more per... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:00:00 GMT Guest blog by legal expert Owen Willcox A number of local authorities are considering or have already spun out elements of their adult social care services to new vehicles owned and or managed by the existing staff teams. Although adult social care is probably best-positioned in such a model, the transition can be complex and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:30:00 GMT Recently South Tyneside Council warned that over the next four years up to 600 jobs could be lost at the organisation, and other local authorities are warning of redundancies as the government’s austerity measures start to bite.  But being able to accurately forecast or analyse how many redundancies may happen over the course... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Ewan King, director of business development and delivery at the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Winter is fast approaching. For the NHS, it is a time for a period of intense collective worry. How will the NHS cope with another difficult winter? When the focus at times like this is almost entirely on how we... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Sep 2015 09:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Billy D’Arcy, managing director for O2’s Public Sector Business.  The provision of government online services remains high on the government’s agenda, with the Conservative administration continuing its investment in adapting the way the public sector is engaging with citizens in our digital... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 Sep 2015 11:30:00 GMT Only 8% of Britain’s public sector frontline workers have access to 4G connectivity, despite more than half of them saying it is “very or fairly” important to their organisation. New research by YouGov and Vodafone UK found that few workers – including police officers, district nurses and social workers – had... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 01 Sep 2015 11:00:00 GMT This may be a positive year for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), with some good news finally flowing in after the European Regional Development Fund open its doors to small local firms earlier this month. Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock announced today new “ambitious targets” to get more small businesses working... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:00:00 GMT East Sussex County Council has revealed intentions to scrap its ‘meals on wheels’ contract with single-provider Apetito.  Not only will this affect a number of staff jobs, but the service was used to deliver main meals and desserts directly to the homes of elderly people to ensure they were properly fed and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:15:00 GMT Labour leadership contender Jeremy Corbyn MP has proposed a ‘radical reboot’ of housebuilding by giving councils the tools to build and provide homes in order to meet their local affordable housing demands. In his housing manifesto, released last week, Corbyn said the most efficient way of achieving at least 240,000 new yearly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:00:00 GMT I wonder if George Osborne is prepared for some of the responses he might receive? Today I’ve emailed all public sector workers to ask for their views on how we can continue to do more with less. — George Osborne (@George_Osborne) August 3, 2015 The recent decision to increase MPs’ pay by 10%, from £67,060... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Aug 2015 10:30:00 GMT Annual public sector borrowing has decreased by £6.1bn compared to the same period last year, an analysis by the Office for National Statistics has found. So far in this financial year the public sector has borrowed £25.1bn with the Office for Budget Responsibility expecting a total of £69.5bn until March 2016. In... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Jul 2015 11:00:00 GMT MPs will be debating the highly controversial Welfare Reform and Work Bill today (20 July) in the House of Commons for the first time. Generally accepted provisions of the Bill include a duty to report annually on progress made towards full employment as well as made against the target creation of three million apprenticeships. It will... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Jul 2015 12:15:00 GMT The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) just confirmed that MPs will get a 10% pay rise bringing their salaries up to a whopping £74,000 – whether they like it or not. This is despite Cameron urging Ipsa not to proceed with the pay rise, which the authority argues is actually a ‘pay... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:00:00 GMT Last week’s Summer Budget may not have outlined the government’s next round of cuts to councils and the public sector as a whole, but it did dish out punishment for the sector’s workers.  After the last five years of hardship I don’t think anyone expected a major reprieve, but for pay awards to be frozen at 1%... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:45:00 GMT Yesterday morning the chancellor said he had “found” the £12bn of benefit cuts promised in the Tory manifesto – but not all has been revealed.  During his interview on the Andrew Marr Show, George Osborne said the cap on the amount of benefits that can be claimed by one family will be reduced to £20,000... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:00:00 GMT Everyone in local government, including the media outlets that cover it, are gearing up for what is likely to be an important LGA Conference this year.  Held in Harrogate from 30 June to 2 July, the event is expected to pull in more than 1,200 delegates and, according to the LGA, “will be an excellent opportunity to take stock... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:45:00 GMT For the second government running, the title of most pedantic minister goes to… Michael Gove! As education secretary he set out his “10 golden rules” for writing and grammar, including such advice as: “If in doubt, cut it out”; “In letters, adjectives add little, adverbs even less”; and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:30:00 GMT The government might be making a move to further ‘protect’ green belt land from travellers. James Wharton MP, the communities minister, was asked in Parliament about the government’s advice to councils to make provision for a 3% annual increase in gipsy and traveller household numbers. He said: “Well, it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:30:00 GMT It seems that impartiality for the Civil Service is being thrown out of the window for the upcoming EU referendum. Ministers have decided to remove the clause instituting a purdah in the run-up to the vote from the EU Referendum Bill, due to go before MPs this week. It’s a bold, and starkly political move, that opens the door... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:30:00 GMT This year’s general election led to the most disproportionate result in history, so why do we persist with an outdated model of representation? The Electoral Reform Society has published an analysis of the results, which show that more people than ever aren’t represented by the party they voted for. Some of the headline... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Jun 2015 12:00:00 GMT One thing has become clear in the few weeks since the general election returned a shock Conservative majority: this new single-party government is determined to assault the rights of workers, especially those in the public sector. The Queen’s Speech is set to be full of policies that will be to the detriment of public sector workers... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 May 2015 15:00:00 GMT Over the weekend, health education secretary Nicky Morgan revealed the government’s push to improve schools with the forthcoming Queen’s Speech setting out a series of new measures.  Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Morgan stated: “Our big priorities will be to speed up the process for tackling failing schools;... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 May 2015 11:45:00 GMT Guest blog by Tim Vanstone, head of Breaking the Cycle The impact of substance misuse tears families apart, disrupts communities and continues to be a burden on economies. There is a lot of evidence to show that children and young people can be influenced by their parents’ substance misuse and are much more likely to develop... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 May 2015 09:45:00 GMT We’re just days away from the election and it appears the Lib Dems are the party most vying for public sector votes, underlining their efforts in red. The newly centrist party, who today said they’d negotiate first with the party who held the most seats after their election (or anyone else who gives their diminishing number of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 May 2015 12:30:00 GMT Cuts to social care have become so dire that over the course of the next parliament around 1.4 million people could die in hospital when their preference would be to die at home. This is the finding of Marie Curie and a coalition of charities who warn that unless action is taken by the next government, people at the end of life will... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:00:00 GMT The National Archives and the Local Government Association (LGA) have published a new series of 13 case studies illustrating what work councils can do to transform local archive services “despite a background of continuing austerity”. Jeff James, keeper and chief executive of the National Archive, stated that local authorities... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Apr 2015 10:30:00 GMT To help councils recruit the best young talent, the Local Government Association (LGA) has signed up to Plotr, a government-supported, education-led careers website. The LGA will fund the creation of a Local Government World platform within the website that will showcase the range of careers and opportunities that councils have to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Apr 2015 09:45:00 GMT The flagship Tory policy of extending Right to Buy to housing associations could see the government embroiled in a legal battle likely to cost the tax payer millions. PSE has already reported that the Chartered Institute of Housing believes the policy is likely to make the country’s housing crisis worse rather than better, but now... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Apr 2015 16:00:00 GMT With just a week left for people to get registered to vote ahead of the General Election, the Electoral Commission has made a massive social media push to remind everyone. Today millions of Twitter users in Great Britain will see a notification in their newsfeed encouraging them to register to vote and providing information on how to do... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Apr 2015 12:00:00 GMT Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith revealed over the weekend that “no decisions” have been made on where to make further benefit cuts.  Earlier this month, the chancellor outlined in his budget that the Conservatives, should they win the general election, would aim to cut £12bn from the welfare budget by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:30:00 GMT An interesting global education conference is coming up next month, examining topics like print vs digital in delivering education, and who is best-placed to commission the content: tge public sector or private publishers? The ‘What Works? Successful Education Policies, Resources and Technologies’ conference is on Thursday 16... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Mar 2015 09:00:00 GMT The decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the appeal of Titina Nzolameso against Westminster City Council over out-of-borough housing is going to send ripple effects through authorities across the country. The court was unanimous in its ruling so there is sure to be no wriggle room. While the full implications will not be known until... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Adrian Nolan, associate director at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) think tank. Employment support, in its current form, is not working. This is something that many agree on, and there have been countless articles and reports in recent years articulating how the Work Programme, the government’s flagship... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Mar 2015 09:00:00 GMT Listening to a commercial radio station this week, I couldn’t help but notice that the ad breaks seemed dominated by government and public sector announcements. From grants for businesses that hire apprentices to money for superfast broadband, to a police warning to people who take drugs and drive, armed forces recruitment and the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:45:00 GMT PSE is heading to the launch of IPPR North’s flagship ‘Transport for the North’ report today, which we’ve been told provides a blueprint for how the north can move towards an integrated transport system.  We’ve been told this would cover three northern regions, which would ultimately be responsible for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 Mar 2015 09:15:00 GMT Scotland’s Devolution Committee has “unanimously” recommended that a draft Order to see the powers allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in future Scottish elections should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament. In November 2014, the Smith Commission called on the UK Parliament to devolve the relevant powers to the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:30:00 GMT In a welcome development, the Home Office have announced that police will no longer be able to access journalists’ phone records to uncover their sources without first gaining the permission of a judge. It is a move that is wholeheartedly approved of by those of us here at PSE. Protecting sources is critical to press freedom, which... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Feb 2015 11:30:00 GMT Digital economy minister Ed Vaizey has, once again, expressed hope that the Government Digital Service could play a role in helping councils “go digital”.  The Conservative minister hasn’t ruled out the possibility of sharing a single digital platform for local government, despite Socitm saying that the idea should... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Feb 2015 13:00:00 GMT New research has highlighted the truly collaborative nature of local government, with many of England’s smallest parish councils coming together to share services and save money. At times it is easy for us to focus our attention on the trials, tribulations and collaborative successes of upper-tier councils. But new research by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Feb 2015 11:15:00 GMT Guest blog by David Boyle, co-director of the New Weather Institute co-op and think-tank, which imagines working and community lives that are ‘more humane, more reasonable and more effective’. In this article, he tackles the conceptual barriers between local and national thinking on economic recovery. The trouble... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:45:00 GMT Ferelith Gaze, head of public affairs at NHS Providers, discusses what is needed from day one of the next government and beyond for the NHS. We are all prey to systemic amnesia, and in the final 100 days before the 2015 General Election, we need to be mindful of the particular vulnerability of the NHS to political soul searching.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Jan 2015 09:30:00 GMT The Local Government Association (LGA) is hosting a free event on 2 February 2015, which will help participants access a set of digital tools allowing them to easily analyse, re-use, link and compare local authority data.  Open to councillors and officers from English local authorities and fire and rescue services, the ‘LG... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Jan 2015 10:45:00 GMT The government’s plans to restore weekly bin collections have suffered a knockback, with the only council taking part in its £250m scheme reversing its decision. The communities secretary, Eric Pickles, had set aside the fund to allow local authorities to run weekly services rather than fortnightly. In 2012, the DCLG awarded... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Jan 2015 15:45:00 GMT The chief executive of Derby City Council has taken voluntary redundancy just a few months after signing a three-year contract extension with the authority. In a statement the council said it is reviewing and reducing the number of senior management roles, as part of which Adam Wilkinson took voluntary redundancy to “look for a new... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Jan 2015 11:30:00 GMT How the Dutch central government embraced social media to improve its dialogue with citizens – guest blog by Kurt Goldman. Digital transformation has become integral for public sector organisations, given that the majority of citizens expect to be able to access public services online and interact with public bodies in the same way... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Jan 2015 11:15:00 GMT As part of last week’s Sieghart Review into public libraries in England it was recommended that a ‘national taskforce’ should be established to help develop library services to make sure they are fit for the 21st century.  The government has now set up the taskforce which will be chaired by Dr Paul Blantern... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:15:00 GMT Mental health and disability charities have called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to publish its internal reviews into suicides, which may have been linked to benefit changes.  A peer review is triggered when suicide or alleged suicide is “associated with a DWP activity”. The latest calls come after a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:30:00 GMT Britain’s most senior police officer has warned that cuts to police and other public services will put public safety at risk unless the next government pushes through ‘radical structural reforms’ to cut back-office costs.  Writing in the Guardian, Scotland Yard commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe stated that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:30:00 GMT A lot of us donate to charities throughout the year, dropping 50p in a donation box here and there; but do we ever consider that this money could be used fraudulently?  Almost all collections are genuine, but some people do try to abuse the generosity of others for their own financial gain.  Encouraging the public to give... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:45:00 GMT At the moment there is a tidal wave of councils looking to merge functions and create combined authorities.  For the most part, though, this had been spearheaded by authorities in urban areas. However, Derbyshire County Council, along with the Derby City Council and the eight district councils, have started talks.  In doing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Dec 2014 15:45:00 GMT Stephen Dorrell is facing accusations of a conflict of interest since he announced his intention of standing down as an MP at the general election, in favour of taking a job with accountancy firm KPMG. Dorrell, who is a former health secretary under John Major, stood down as the chairman of the health select committee in June and will now... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:45:00 GMT Cllr David Sparks is stepping down as leader of Dudley Council – in part to concentrate on his role as chair of the Local Government Association. He has quit with immediate effect as leader of the Labour Group, and his position as council leader will end at the next full council meeting next week. He took over as LGA chair in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:45:00 GMT The polls are open in the Rochester and Strood by-election where it is widely expected that UKIP candidate, and former Conservative MP, Mark Reckless will comfortably keep the seat. Reckless would become UKIP’s second MP in Westminster and he has further unsettled the Tories with claims that two other members of his former party are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:00:00 GMT In yet another twist on a long and winding road that Theresa May finds herself on in her quest to nominate an acceptable head of the independent child abuse inquiry, she has been snubbed by the chair of the Home Affairs Select committee Keith Vaz. May, trying to pass the political hot potato, asked the committee to put forward three names... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Nov 2014 17:30:00 GMT In yet another twist on a long and winding road that Theresa May finds herself on in her quest to nominate an acceptable head of the independent child abuse inquiry, she has been snubbed by the chair of the Home Affairs Select committee Keith Vaz. May, trying to pass the political hot potato, asked the committee to put forward three names... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Nov 2014 17:30:00 GMT Millions of veterans are missing out on vital council support, such as priority housing, school places for children and jobs, because data on them is ‘patchy’, council leaders have warned. It was stated that it is increasingly difficult for councils to map the armed forces community, particularly veterans, living in their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:45:00 GMT Manchester rejected the idea of a directly-elected mayor in a referendum two years ago – but now is getting one anyway because a stitch-up deal by politicians who don’t care what the public want. That’s one viewpoint – the other is that the last referendum didn’t make clear the advantages, was focused just on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Nov 2014 12:30:00 GMT PSE attended the Socitm annual conference last week, and one of the key issues that kept arising was the importance of planning ‘now’ for change in the future.  Throughout the conference a host of speakers highlighted how important digital will be for local government, and the larger public sector, going... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Oct 2014 12:15:00 GMT Out with ASBOs and in with CBOs (Criminal Behaviour Orders). From today, as part of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities and police will be provided with more powers to deal with offenders. Under the new CBOs there will be increased powers, banning offenders from aggressive begging, constant verbal... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Oct 2014 11:00:00 GMT Local authority chief executives and senior managers will be flocking to Liverpool this week for the annual Solace Summit.  The theme for this year’s summit is ‘Leading Local Solutions’ which will see sessions delivered by leaders within both the public and private sectors.  On the Summit’s opening... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Anna Galliford Has the time finally come for a real commitment to integrating our health and social care systems? Can families look forward to a future where they aren’t told, ‘Sorry, that’s not my department; you need to speak to someone else?’ A future where support workers don’t spend... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:15:00 GMT Guest blog by Andy Rickell, CEO of Action on Disability and Work UK By very definition in traditional thought, the term ‘disabled’ applied to an individual implies that they are incompetent in some aspect of their abilities compared to non-disabled people. Conversely, the word ‘professional’ implies a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:45:00 GMT Eric Pickles has launched a new £400m programme to boost the building of new rental homes, which he claims will help hard-working people later upgrade into home ownership. He states that the new ‘Rent to Buy’ scheme provides more flexibility for people who want to rent affordably now, save for a deposit, and then either... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Sep 2014 10:30:00 GMT Ed Balls is to tell the Labour Party’s annual conference in Manchester he intends to extend the current 1% cap on increases to child benefit, which is expected to end in 2016, for another year.  The shadow chancellor’s plans would mean a further fall in real-term value for families receiving the benefit, during the first... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:15:00 GMT Guest blog by Debra Maxwell Say the words ‘channel shift’ to anyone involved in the delivery of public services and you may be met with a furrowed brow and pained expression. That’s because the phrase has taken lofty connotations. As a result, much of the discussion around the government’s digital by default agenda... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:15:00 GMT The referendum on Scottish independence is almost here: in just three days’ time, people living in Scotland will start casting votes and we will find out whether or not we shall stay a ‘United Kingdom’. Now in the home stretch, both campaigns are slinging accusations at the other as they try to find an edge in the race.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Guy Jelley The public sector has always been expected to achieve best practice in governance and compliance, but meeting the challenge is a complex business. Guy Jelley is an expert in managing complex financial, IT and infrastructure projects in the public arena. He suggests that, by introducing governance automation into... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:30:00 GMT The squeeze on public sector pay and the prospect of further strike action will dominate the agenda at this week’s TUC Congress in Liverpool. When the Congress opened on 7 September, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said that “the key message of this year's Congress is Britain needs a pay rise”. She added... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:15:00 GMT Home secretary Theresa May has forecast that future spending cuts will necessitate further integration of the police, fire and ambulance services. In a speech to think tank Reform, she will praise the creativeness of delivering change across government through greater integration of services not only in her department, but in health... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:15:00 GMT Unison is to call for a moratorium on further public sector job cuts across all service areas at this year’s Trade Union Congress in Liverpool.  The trade union, which represents more than 1.3 million members, has called for the General Council to develop a campaign to ensure that the future of public services is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Sep 2014 11:00:00 GMT Scottish first minister Alex Salmond staged a fight back in the final TV debate against Better Together head Alistair Darling ahead of September’s Scottish referendum. After clashing on topics such as oil revenues, currency and the future of nuclear weapons, a snap poll of 505 voters in Scotland, conducted for the Guardian by ICM... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Aug 2014 11:30:00 GMT There have been stories over the past few days of the outrageous and amusing freedom of information requests some councils have had to tackle. The LGA media team know that they are doing – a press release drily quoting the statistics on the number of freedom of information requests officers have to deal with would not have got much... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Aug 2014 12:00:00 GMT The Scottish Independence referendum on 18 September is just over a month away, and the debate has certainly been hotting up. People must remember to register to vote, and vote, otherwise what has all the talk been for over the last 18 months. Last week, Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond and former chancellor of the exchequer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Aug 2014 14:30:00 GMT Guest blog by Wan Mak, Head of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sodexo UK and Ireland According to Public Health England, two-thirds of the UK’s population are failing to reach the minimum recommended levels of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. Aside from the fact that physical activity can help treat or prevent over... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Aug 2014 09:15:00 GMT The government plans to make its transparency code mandatory for parish councils with an annual turnover not exceeding £25,000 have moved a step closer. Following a government consultation, which asked whether the code should be mandatory, approximately 75% of respondents supported the government’s proposal. Not a surprise... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:45:00 GMT It isn’t always the case that we at PSE agree with the DCLG. However, in its new Technical Consultation on Planning it has been proposed that local planners could be given greater control on the development of payday loan and betting shops. It doesn’t matter which area of the country you travel to, down every high street the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:15:00 GMT There’s still time to subscribe to PSE in time to receive our August/September 2014 edition, which is promising to be a great issue. Interviewees and contributors include Association of Directors of Adult Social Services president David Pearson, transport minister Baroness Kramer, Institute of Customer Service chief executive Jo... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Jul 2014 11:45:00 GMT On average troubled families – which are being helped by local authorities to turn their lives around – suffer from nine different serious problems, according to a new independent report from the government’s Troubled Families programme. In particular it highlighted that many families have significant problems with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Jul 2014 14:30:00 GMT Ed Miliband has set out Labour’s plans to review what he calls the ‘failed’ railway franchising system in the UK, and allow public sector operators to compete to run services, if his party wins the next general election. This is a move that hasn’t been welcomed by all party delegates, many of whom were calling for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Jul 2014 11:30:00 GMT Calls from the LGA to make schools accountable to local education trusts, rather than Whitehall, have been given something of a sucker-blow. Speaking to the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools, said that local authorities do not write to him often enough to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Jul 2014 11:45:00 GMT Following claims of a child sex abuse ring operating in some of the country’s most powerful organisations, including at Westminster, in the 1980s the home secretary Theresa May is expected to announce plans for an “independent and authoritative” review.  This comes after a Home Office investigation last year found... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:30:00 GMT The absolute necessity of weekly bin collections is something of an article of faith for Eric Pickles, sections of the press and, if online newspaper comment sections are to be believed, a good section of the British public. But the key, surely, is not so much the ‘black bin’ collections (mine is grey, black is for glass and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:15:00 GMT The attempt by the body representing parish and town councils to ban elected councillors from speaking to journalists without prior written consent from their town clerk is dangerous, wrong-headed, and, yes, Stalinist. We at PSE have plenty of issues with Eric Pickles’ record as a Cabinet minister, but he has stood firm in defence... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Jun 2014 11:00:00 GMT Guest Blog by the DVLA’s HR director, Phil Bushby. On 13 December 2011, DVLA announced a public consultation exercise called ‘Transforming DVLA Services’. We knew we could serve our customers better and more efficiently by centralising services at our Swansea office and by providing more choice and flexibility around how... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Jun 2014 09:30:00 GMT If you were suffering from a rapidly and debilitating terminal illness, such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND), would you expect to be charged for personal care? In Scotland there are some local authorities charging terminally-ill patients for this care when they should get it for free, according to charity MND Scotland. People diagnosed... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:05:00 GMT Public sector consulting continued its modest recovery in 2013, with revenue growth of around 3%, new data from the Management Consultancies Association (MCA) has revealed. However, before we get ahead of ourselves, public sector spend on consulting amounts to around half of what it was before the economic downturn. So, it is very... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Jun 2014 11:30:00 GMT Guest blog by Nicole New of responsible tourism charity Hidden Britain. Investing public sector time in tourism could be a resourceful way to bring economic development into an area. Hidden Britain is a tourism charity working across the UK to show communities how tourism can be used as a tool in western economies. The best way to draw... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:00:00 GMT Over the weekend history was made because, for the first time in over a century, a national election in the UK was not won by either the Conservatives or Labour.  As we saw during last week’s local elections, UKIP made significant gains. But this success was dwarfed by their victory in the European elections.  Of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 27 May 2014 10:30:00 GMT Although the major political debate for the last few weeks and months has been Europe and, to a large extent, who will come out on top following the European elections on May 22, please don’t forget something just as important…the local elections.  At times it is easy to forget that the local elections are taking place... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 May 2014 11:00:00 GMT Everyone wants to feel they are getting a “fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work” but, unfortunately, for many – be they in the public or private sector – this doesn’t seem to be the case at times.  Only last month Unison balloted its local government members in England, Wales and Northern... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 May 2014 11:00:00 GMT Headline figures from LV= Road Rescue’s latest research highlight that there could be as many as 25,000 incomplete roadworks on British roads. And, yes, of course, this number is high and should be tackled. But the real truth is that road maintenance is a cyclical, never-ending process, which we will be talking about forever and a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 May 2014 11:00:00 GMT Guest blog by Rosie Boorne In an age of austerity the UK Government’s capacity to appraise potential investments for their capacity to deliver, affordability and value for money is more important than ever. In an effort to improve this core skill, on 1 May 2014 HM Treasury and the Welsh Government are launching their Better... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:15:00 GMT Unison is to ballot its local government members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for strikes after they “overwhelmingly” rejected the employers’ 1% pay offer.  However, the action has been branded as “delaying” the process to pay increases for workers by the LGA.  The ballot will start... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:15:00 GMT Around two-thirds of people living in Britain would rather live near a wind farm than a fracking site, a new YouGov report commissioned by Ecotricity has revealed. This comes only days after the communities secretary, Eric Pickles, extended his powers to “pull” renewable energy projects for a further 12 months. So far, using... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:07:00 GMT In the music industry there have been some turbulent marriages: Ike and Tina, Sonny and Cher; the British equivalent seems to be England and Scotland.  However, in September, the Scottish public will be able to vote on whether to stay in the “marriage bed” with the UK or “divorce” it and become an independent... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:00:00 GMT As Esther McVey, the employment minister, unveils new plans to toughen up the rules surrounding how people sign-on to get Jobseeker’s Allowance we’ve also seen the ‘caring’ side of the coalition waving its flag to reduce youth unemployment up and down the country. Later this week at the Wales Office Jobs Summit in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Apr 2014 10:05:00 GMT Guest blog by Nicole New of responsible tourism charity Hidden Britain Delivery of tourism services is at the discretion of local authorities and it is an easy area to dismiss as frivolous when budgets are tight. However, tourism is the third largest sector in the UK, so by harnessing people’s passions for their area, we at Hidden... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 03 Apr 2014 14:45:00 GMT The UN’s Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has today published volume two of the fifth assessment report on climate change, moving on from the physical science and focusing on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, updating its previous 2007 report. The report doesn’t focus on individual countries, so... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:02:00 GMT Following the Le Grand review on ways forward for children’s social care services in Birmingham, it is good news that some of the recommendations are being followed.  For instance, the appointment of Lord Norman Warner as the commissioner for these services, supported by an independent expert panel, seems to be quite sage... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:15:00 GMT Guest blog by Karey Barnshaw, customer engagement manager at North Kesteven District Council, who describes how it is driving online channel shift to deliver more efficient services to residents. Although it’s positioned as a small, rural local authority, North Kesteven District Council operates across a large area, making the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Mar 2014 09:30:00 GMT A guest blog from Investors in People Tight deadlines, long hours, ever-growing to-do lists and unforeseeable circumstances can all take their toll on your people – especially in an environment of constant budget pressure and uncertainty. In our recent Investors in People Wellbeing at Work Poll (February 2014), which questioned... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Mar 2014 09:15:00 GMT Guest blog by Christian Lanng, CEO at Tradeshift, who discusses the need for sustainable procurement by public sector bodies in order to support small businesses (SMEs) and therefore boost the UK economy. The government’s public spending is so vast (approximately 16% of GDP) that sustainable procurement has to be a priority if the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Mar 2014 08:30:00 GMT Guest blog by Steve Wyler, chief executive, Locality Last week at the House of Lords we launched a much-anticipated report: Saving money by doing the right thing: why ‘local by default must replace ‘diseconomies of scale’. Incredibly, the economy of scale argument is still dominant in the Treasury, in government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:45:00 GMT The DWP’s ‘Universal Jobmatch’ web service is set to be scrapped, according to a Guardian story, as the site buckles under the weight of fraudulent, fake, duplicate and inappropriate job ads. The paper quotes sources saying that the company that runs it, job search giant Monster, knows what it is doing, but that its... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Mar 2014 09:35:00 GMT At PSE we are happy to hear the news that the hiring ‘intentions’ within the public sector have increased to +2% in Q2 2014, up from zero in the last quarter, according to Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey. And, although the figure may be lagging behind the private sector in terms of optimism, it is good news. Our... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Mar 2014 10:15:00 GMT Over 80% of councils in England have now signed up to the government’s care leavers’ charter, which will provide support to young people leaving care until they turn 25, and so they should. It is, in our view, extremely important that these young and, at times, vulnerable people receive support to help them make the right... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Mar 2014 10:01:00 GMT It is hard to believe that the Budget is only a few weeks away, but it is indeed upon us, and despite recent growth figures looking good for the chancellor – a big headache could be just around the corner. That is if research conducted by the Financial Times is correct and the chancellor is, in fact, staring into a £20bn black... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:15:00 GMT Transparency is an extremely important issue in the public sector, especially as much of the funding money comes from the taxpayer’s pocket. So, it seems quite reassuring that the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called for its members delivering public services contracts to adopt a new set of measures to boost their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:30:00 GMT Francis Maude presents an interesting vision for public services, with control from the centre simultaneously ‘tight’ and ‘loose’. Shared and back office functions need lots of input and control, he suggests, while service delivery should mean government being more hands-off, with frontline staff, mutuals and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Feb 2014 13:15:00 GMT Sustainable water management is on a lot of people’s minds currently, as repairs continue after the recent floods and thoughts turn to future resilience. Measures to prevent winter floods and summer droughts are needed as the changing climate makes both events more likely. PSE and Anglian Water Business recently hosted a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Feb 2014 10:04:00 GMT Another report has set out the economic argument for getting more mothers back into employment, as well as the barriers that currently exist. Better childcare, at more affordable prices, could help many parents to return to work, thus increasing productivity and reducing the amount spent on benefits. The wider social benefits are also... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 21 Feb 2014 12:30:00 GMT Obstacles stopping employers from offering young people work experience – despite the majority of businesses valuing it highly when recruiting – must be overcome, UKCES has argued. Its new report seeks to dispel some common myths about what work experience should look like and who can provide it. The importance of giving... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:00:00 GMT The new Arts Council research is very welcome, as it attempts to plug the gaps in evidence around the business case for libraries. Too often libraries face closure as they are seen as expendable parts of council services, and can be written off as a ‘nice to have’, not a necessity – as long as the council meets the minimum... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:30:00 GMT The impact of welfare reform will take years to be fully felt, and some of the hardest consequences to bear are yet to come, new research suggests. Stretched councils may not have the resources or the time to think further ahead, but appropriate support is vital to stop early warning signs from snowballing into larger challenges. The... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:45:00 GMT It is great to see so many parts of the public sector embracing the potential of new digital technologies. Newcastle and Buckinghamshire will receive expert advice and technological support to tackle social challenges through O2’s Local Government Digital Fund, while Capita’s new contract could see a step-change in working for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Feb 2014 10:04:00 GMT How much difference will the new Local Alcohol Action Areas actually make? They have no extra funding to tackle the problems alcohol presents, either to personal health and therefore costs for the NHS, or trouble for the police. Instead they will have to develop and deliver an alcohol strategy, making do with advice from various... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:15:00 GMT Guest blog by George Davies, chief executive, MooD International. With the public sector continuing to look for savings and streamline processes, outsourcing still has a big role to play. There have been some problems recently with keeping oversight of these large and complex contracts, but this is no reason to write outsourcing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:15:00 GMT The political squabbling over preparation for flooding, and management once bad weather struck, is as unhelpful as it is distracting. People are being evacuated from their homes, transport services damaged beyond recognition, and water levels continue to rise. Now is not the time to point fingers or assign blame. Undoubtedly there... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Feb 2014 10:30:00 GMT Forecasts of more heavy weather will come as a blow to the many communities already threatened by flooding and storm damage, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Action being taken now is simply reactive. How has it taken this long to realise a longer-term protection strategy is needed? We have had more than enough warning... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Feb 2014 10:15:00 GMT What does the part-privatisation of the Nudge Unit mean for the future of public services in the UK? It’s the first time a government policy team has been sold off, and will mean government departments must pay for the Behavioural Insights Team’s insights – if they want them. Privatising policy is quite different... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:00:00 GMT Charging for plastic bags at supermarkets and shops is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help people reduce unnecessary resource use. So why is the government trying to make something so simple more complicated? The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has called for England to replicate the Welsh example, which has seen... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Feb 2014 12:00:00 GMT Information security continues to be a huge risk to many services and authorities across the public sector, with serious consequences. The ICO’s latest report points out a number of mistakes in fostering and adoption agencies’ management and transfer of sensitive information. Basic security measures are overlooked and both... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Feb 2014 11:30:00 GMT Will the government’s latest suggestions on childcare make a real difference? School nurseries extending their hours and accepting younger children is one way of increasing access to care, but the issues around childcare go far beyond opening hours. The biggest barrier to effective childcare, that allows more parents to go back to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Feb 2014 12:45:00 GMT Guest blog by Graeme Stewart, UK Public Sector Strategy, McAfee. Open data has been a cause for much debate of late – with both praise and criticism for the government’s efforts. There is no doubt the UK is a world leader in open government data, with a reported 17,000 datasets now available on the data.gov.uk... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:05:00 GMT The new data from the Inspectorate of Constabulary are certainly sobering, but it’s not just the increase of recorded rape that needs to be investigated. If police forces across the country are treating allegations of rape in different ways, this needs to be made transparent. And any ‘culture of disbelief’ within the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 31 Jan 2014 12:45:00 GMT The new report on the widening UK skills gap highlights the important point that employment, and a strong workforce, depends on so much more than simply the number of people in work. Employee satisfaction – with a job that is neither too stressful nor too boring – fair wages, good provision of training and security. And... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 30 Jan 2014 09:30:00 GMT Liverpool’s new blueprint for integrated services is a great example of the kind of reconfiguration that’s needed across health and social care. Pressures are now looming too large, with demand too high, for the status quo to remain. Huge reform in the NHS was just one part of the work needed to provide preventative care, in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:15:00 GMT However much the government goes on about the importance of getting people back into work, the current incentives in place at Jobcentre Plus may be aligned to only get workers off benefits without adequate support in place. But having good figures is not the same thing as real improvements to unemployment. Especially as JCP funding... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 Jan 2014 09:45:00 GMT Chris Hope, from Cambridge University, has argued that companies seeking to start fracking operations should pay a certain amount to compensate for their contribution to climate change. On one hand, a large bill could put some firms off the practice. But can the damage caused to the climate really be paid off in such a way? What if... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Jan 2014 10:00:00 GMT Gagging clauses and severance payments are back in the news today, as the Public Accounts Committee lays bare the risks involved in a system without any clear management or oversight of these arrangements. It’s not that such payments are always used to cover up failure, or are fundamentally wrong, but their use should be transparent... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 Jan 2014 12:15:00 GMT The new Cost of a Child report includes some worrying facts. Aside from the rising cost of bringing up a family, the research highlights the crippling impact on single parents. A combination of cuts to benefits and childcare costs continue to increase means that these families spend over half their annual income bringing up their children... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Jan 2014 12:15:00 GMT The threat of flooding is rising each day, with more frequent and destructive storms leading to significant damage of homes and businesses. Does the Water Bill, currently making its way through parliament, go far enough to provide property protection against flooding? The property industry has called for a wider scheme, to ensure millions... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Jan 2014 14:45:00 GMT The second delay to Grayling’s probation reforms could generate further concern around privatising swathes of the justice system to private providers. Low and medium-risk offenders will be managed by new Community Rehabilitation Companies – a move which has been highly criticised. The issue is that privatisation remains... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 Jan 2014 11:45:00 GMT Changing the organisation of Welsh councils could have a huge impact on the communities that are affected. The Williams Commission report, to be published today, is expected to recommend a large reduction in the number of local authorities in Wales. The price of such reform – both in monetary terms and for local jobs – means... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:34:00 GMT A fortified school is the latest idea to try and cut reoffending rates – and it shows some potential. Keeping young criminals in a facility which has more in common with a boarding school than a prison could have an important impact on their prospects, as well as the future crime rate. More emphasis on education is key to breaking... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 Jan 2014 12:45:00 GMT The downgrading of crime statistics could be another blow to the public’s already-shaky trust in the police. Despite all the data pointing to lower levels of crime in recent years, many have refused to believe the evidence. This is partly attributable to the public tendency to believe their own eyes (and the scare stories that flood... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Jan 2014 10:45:00 GMT The new fines for wayward employers could help to eradicate the practice of paying less than the minimum wage, raising the standard of living for thousands of cheated workers. This is a penalty that could actually deter such behaviour, and ensure that staff are paid a fair wage. The current conversation around zero hours contract, as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:45:00 GMT The latest announcement on fracking means that councils could get millions of pounds extra a year, if they agree to let shale gas operations take place there. It’s a golden carrot for local government – when their resources are stretching to cover their basic statutory services, some more funding would be very useful... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Jan 2014 10:00:00 GMT Local government’s so-called cash cow – parking charges – could face further restrictions, as the DfT has responded to the transport select committee’s report on parking enforcement. The government is considering bringing in legal requirements for councils to publish accounts, as well as introducing grace periods... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Jan 2014 12:45:00 GMT The improved performance in schools that have converted to academy status is certainly interesting, and provides good evidential support for a flagship Coalition policy. But what is it about these schools that has led to better outcomes? To start with, schools with higher grades may be more likely to convert to academies. Is the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:30:00 GMT The IEA’s new paper sets out why and how the state pension age should be increase faster, with workplace regulations reformed to allow everyone to work for longer. It is clear that action must be taken. An ageing population, longer life expectancy, and a changing workforce require different models for retirement. And the public are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Jan 2014 11:45:00 GMT The plans for the motorway through Derbyshire are sure to stir up controversy – lowering the speed limit will never be welcomed by motorists, and the inconsistency with the rest of the network could lead to confusion for drivers. But the policy is driven by a need to improve air quality; an environmental concern that must be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Jan 2014 16:45:00 GMT The upcoming cuts, now forecast at £25bn, spell bad news for the welfare budget. It remains the area the Conservatives still see as easy pickings; housing benefit for the under-25s and council housing for those on higher incomes could both be cut post-2015. It’s part of the move to set Labour up as ‘the welfare... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Jan 2014 10:05:00 GMT The Prince’s Trust has published some sobering research; thousands of young people who feel that they have nothing to live for. The new index considers the impact of joblessness on mental health, and its increasing link with hopelessness. Once young people are unemployed it can be very difficult to get back into work. This lack... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:15:00 GMT Prisoners will not be able to receive Christmas presents or cards this year, as new government rules introduce restrictions on clothing, books and games sent by relatives. The Prison Reform Trust has slammed the move, which will see prisoners having to pay for any goods themselves, if they can afford it. And the rationale behind the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Dec 2013 10:45:00 GMT The International Development Committee’s report reiterates that Scotland’s independence is not just a local decision. The move would have significant repercussions on the world stage as well. So is the UK stronger together? What about the job losses indicated from a restructuring of the DFID? Any change requires a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Dec 2013 10:15:00 GMT The question of prisoner voting rights is a particularly tricky one. The UK has been ignoring warnings from the European Court over its blanket ban for a number of years, but now a joint committee of Parliament has recommended enfranchising certain prisoners. The number of people it would affect is apparently negligible when considering... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 18 Dec 2013 12:30:00 GMT The amount of expenses left uncovered by the care cap are staggering – and could mean huge portions of care will continue to be funded by pensioners rather than the state. Accommodation, living costs, the differences between council-level fees and other care home charges; all this will fall on the individual. It makes the idea... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:30:00 GMT The government’s new Waste Prevention Programme contains little new policy, the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) has stated. Better clarity, awareness and management of resource efficiency and waste prevention measures are vital, the body urged. One of the headline points of the plan is that businesses will be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Dec 2013 11:00:00 GMT The government’s confirmation of the carbon budget is vital, the CCC has stated. The committee found no evidence to support a change in the budget, or a delay in this policy target. The overarching message is ‘the sooner the better’ – the more progress the UK makes on carbon efficiency, the more secure we can be in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 11 Dec 2013 12:15:00 GMT Although the Chancellor’s move to partially lift restrictions on council borrowing has been widely welcomed, there have been repeated calls to relax these completely. It’s a question of how the debt is perceived; if this borrowing no longer affects the way the UK is viewed nationally, because it is measured by the GGGD, then... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 10 Dec 2013 10:15:00 GMT A number of reports today with some important conclusions: Civil Exchange has found that trust is a commodity, along with a number of other luxuries, more common in areas of affluence. Those living in more deprived places are less likely to trust. This finding would be striking enough on its own, but consider the JRF research that puts the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Dec 2013 10:05:00 GMT Did the Chancellor go far enough when he increased the borrowing cap for local government? For many working in the public sector or in housing, and especially the LGA, it is only a step in the right direction. On its own, it may not be enough to really drive local growth across the country. Pension changes and welfare spending are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 06 Dec 2013 11:15:00 GMT The new announcement for foster children is great news, and could have a significant impact on young people’s educational attainment and employment opportunities, as well as their welfare. While some 18 year olds are ready and able to live on their own, this does not apply to everyone, and particularly those who have had to move... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 Dec 2013 11:15:00 GMT The re-classification of people living in fuel poverty risks more households missing out on vital support in cold weather, as well as a disingenuous measure of success if the government holds these statistics up to show their progress. Such changes must be done very carefully – how can ministers ensure that those who are no longer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Dec 2013 11:15:00 GMT Today’s announcement on parental leave should be warmly welcomed, but getting a more equal share of childcare will take more than policy to achieve. The cultural barriers to fathers taking more time off to care for their children are significant, as reflected by critics of the scheme. The IoD insists that this will be “a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 29 Nov 2013 13:55:00 GMT Another day, another warning that cuts are hitting the poorest hardest. This time it’s a report from the JRF setting out how dwindling opportunities to find efficiencies may impact on frontline services. Councils will be able to provide less and less as the cuts continue, and focusing purely on the most vulnerable has its own... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Nov 2013 12:00:00 GMT Cameron’s announcement on new benefit controls for migrants has been described as an “unfortunate overreaction”. And official statistics estimate the number of EU migrants claiming benefits at 60,100. At the scale of government, this is nothing. Exactly how much of this ‘widespread’ concern over immigration... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Nov 2013 12:00:00 GMT The troubled families programme has seen some considerable progress in the past eighteen months, and many thousands more people will benefit from intervention in the future. Improvements are measured against quantifiable criteria: how many more days are kids in school? What is the level of crime or antisocial behaviour? This progress... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Nov 2013 10:05:00 GMT New research suggests that transitioning to Universal Credit may be even less smooth than anticipated, with intense and expensive training needed to get claimants up to speed with the new system. An all digital-system will be useless if people cannot access it, or do not know how. How much should the government be willing to spend to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 22 Nov 2013 12:15:00 GMT A layer of authority and control between free schools and the DfE could be long overdue. Since 2010 there have bee over 3,444 schools taking on academy or free school status and moving beyond local government’s grasp. Introducing a new level of regulation could ensure that provision of education at these thousands of schools is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Nov 2013 12:30:00 GMT The IPPR’s proposals are a variation of the recent theme that young people should either be earning or learning – a valiant aim in itself, but the implementation of conditional benefits will be trickier to apply in practice. For one thing, whether training is “purposeful” or not, or how intensively you are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Nov 2013 12:15:00 GMT Policy Exchange’s latest report sets out an interesting idea: use available information from organisations, businesses and the public to better manage urban green spaces. In much the same way as national and local government have been trying to introduce for health, schools, and council services, an interactive digital map would... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Nov 2013 14:00:00 GMT A local newspaper in London has highlighted the millions of pounds spent by its council on legal bills, settlements and refunded charges following judicial reviews. The fact that just one council can spend more than £3m in less than three years suggests that the total amount spent by local government on court cases runs into the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Nov 2013 09:45:00 GMT Extra funding for the FirstStop programme is great news. Making sure older people can live independently for as long as possible will have huge knock-on effects; not just for the people themselves, but in terms of care costs and wider social implications. Independent living also encourages better health and wellbeing, and can be supported... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:15:00 GMT Is a takeover the only way to improve failing children’s services? Clearly the need for quality and safety are paramount, and those which cannot meet certain standards must not be allowed to continue. But Doncaster’s model is quite an extreme reaction. Is there a way to improve council services within the public sector? Some... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Nov 2013 10:45:00 GMT Smart ticketing is being increasingly recognised as the way forward for all forms of transport, and can offer local areas the opportunity to join up different networks to provide simpler access and value for money. The South West partnership will give local authorities and transport operators the framework to develop new smart ticketing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:45:00 GMT A guest blog by Andy Vernon, public sector expert at PA Consulting Group. Aiming to provide ‘services that are so straightforward that all who can use them will choose to do so’, the UK government’s ‘digital by default’ strategy represents a welcome step closer to a truly digital economy. We have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:45:00 GMT The new campaign to meet a demanding target – zero food waste to landfill by 2020 – should jolt employers, councils and national government into creating a more strategic direction to achieving this. The benefits are clear; as well as significant environmental improvements, better use of our food resources would save money for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:15:00 GMT The new report from the Work Foundation shows a worrying trend; that even though uptake of apprenticeships has increased, the majority of these are by over-25s, leaving young people without an adequate pathway from education into work. It shows that encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships, and ensuring employers provide... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 07 Nov 2013 11:30:00 GMT Waste management cannot be allowed to escape organisations’ priority, and the Carbon Trust’s new standard will allow businesses to showcase their progress at continuing to reduce waste. The environmental benefits of this are huge, but it also has repercussions for organisations’ bottom line. Making better use of all your... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:45:00 GMT The new report on the benefits from immigration raises some interesting policy questions for the government. Focusing on cutting the number of migrants to Britain, without looking at the benefits they bring or the burden they place on the state, could be a dangerous approach. The fiscal and tax benefits that migrants add to the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:45:00 GMT Gove’s EBacc plan may not have got the support it needed, but the latest GSCE reforms still come across as a reclassification rather than the radical reforms that Ofqual would have you believe. Renaming grades with numbers will do nothing to the actual education that students will receive. If the only added value from 1-9 is that it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Nov 2013 10:45:00 GMT The announcement of greater powers for Wales is a landmark moment for the country. For years, the Welsh government has pushed for such control, arguing that more local decision making is essential to improve the economy and opportunities for Welsh people. Indeed, it has often offered a handy justification for many of the challenges faced... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Nov 2013 12:30:00 GMT Are new homes financed by the Government’s New Homes Bonus being built in the right place? It’s a question raised today by the PAC, which highlights that the scheme has not yet been evaluated, two years in. If its only areas which have low levels of housing need that are getting more new homes, there are some serious problems... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:45:00 GMT PSE attended the Economist’s Infrastructure Summit yesterday, which brought the best thinkers together to discuss the challenges and opportunities around Future Cities. It seems that technological advancements, and the wealth of open data starting to be utilised, are racing ahead of strategy and policy. How can we catch up, to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 30 Oct 2013 11:30:00 GMT Some very interesting IT research from Socitm Insight today, making clear the extent to which security breaches are the fault of public sector information management, rather than inadequate technology. That's a worthwhile message, stressing the need for improved processes, cultures and behaviours: not just more expensive kit or the latest... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:15:00 GMT Things could be looking up for smaller local businesses – new EU rules increase the chances of bidders with social and environmental value, and Kirklees’ approach to purchasing provides a significant amount of guidance and support for local bidders. The idea that more local procurement can bring added benefit to the area, as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Oct 2013 10:30:00 GMT The argument around energy continues, as the three political parties attempt to find a solution to rising prices. Is the answer to cut green taxes? Cameron has called for greater competition and less regulation for lower household bills, while Miliband has pledged a 20-month prices freeze. The Liberal Democrats accused Cameron of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:00:00 GMT The debate over parking enforcement has flared up today, as the Transport Select Committee recommends that councils only generate enough revenue to cover costs and not to create a surplus.  The LGA has argued that any extra money is put back into roads; through essential pothole repairs, subsidised transport, or street... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:45:00 GMT The new London Ventures offers an interesting example for how the public and private sectors can work together to deliver better services.  Such partnerships could combine the best of both – expertise about how to achieve efficiencies and increase investment with local knowledge and representation.  Could councils... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 Oct 2013 11:30:00 GMT It’s a surprise move from Nick Clegg to turn against the Government’s free schools policy now – and we’re likely to see more of such ‘differentiation’ as the next election approaches, as the two Coalition parties start to set out their own policies as opposed to the Government’s. The first free... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:04:00 GMT There has been huge controversy over the privatisation of probation services – even for those who accept the benefits that private providers can bring to the public sector, management of medium-risk offenders may seem a step too far.  Something does need to change with the way we deal with offenders once they are out of jail.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:30:00 GMT English apprenticeships are not providing enough high qualifications, particularly for young people, new research shows.  Too many programmes are of poor quality and not enough employers are offering apprenticeships. For vocational education to be a viable alternative to a more academic route, these qualifications must be respected... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Oct 2013 12:30:00 GMT The notion of cutting unnecessary bureaucracy is an easy sell, especially when it’s not specifically defined. Pointless rules, huge costs and damage to local business are all consequences highlighted by the business task force from European Commission regulation.  But Cameron must be careful not to go too far. Safety... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Oct 2013 11:45:00 GMT Councils have been complaining about funding (or lack of) for roads for years. The black hole of investment into highways maintenance stretches wider and wider like the cumulative area taken up by potholes – the size of the Isle of Wight according to the latest research – in the UK. And it’s an issue that people actually... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Oct 2013 10:04:00 GMT The Immigration Bill seeks to introduce a number of new restrictions on immigrants, in a bid to reduce the number of illegal immigrants who are drawn to live in Britain.  Is ‘health tourism’ as big an issue as Theresa May has stated it to be? There’s huge controversy over this, and over where responsibility for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:45:00 GMT Benefits expected from the e-borders scheme simply “have not been happening”, according to a new report by the inspector of borders and immigration.  The failures are complex, and the initial targets were ambitious. But collecting extensive information to outsource the border, without actually following through on checks... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 Oct 2013 16:15:00 GMT The new report on home care commissioning is worrying, both for the elderly people needing quality care and for the workers who are rushed off their feet for low pay and lower status.  It is a perplexing and saddening fact that those who do the hardest work – particularly caring for people who can no longer cope on their own... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Oct 2013 11:45:00 GMT A reshuffle of government and shadow ministers is widely expected today, with two Conservative members of the Government having already stepped down.  Deputy Chief Whip John Randall and Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith have both chosen to leave their posts, while transport minister Simon Burns quit to stand for election as deputy... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Oct 2013 10:45:00 GMT The new announcement that ten lucky libraries will receive a share of £450,000 to increase entrepreneurship and local growth is a little confusing.  The project will provide meeting spaces for those who want to develop business ideas, as well as IT support and guidance and advice. So far, so good. Getting people together to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:30:00 GMT The TfL initiative to train bus drivers could have a significant impact on elderly people and those with disabilities, allowing them to travel freely and affordably across the capital.  Greater awareness and understanding of the issues these passengers face is essential to providing a quality service, and the scheme could offer a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 03 Oct 2013 14:30:00 GMT Cameron’s keynote to the Conservative Party conference today will focus on the critical role of business, seeking to emphasis that “profit is not a dirty word”.  The Government’s reforms have seen profit being brought in to a number of arenas that have been traditionally public, as well as the introduction of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Oct 2013 12:45:00 GMT George Osborne’s speech today will set out how we can squeeze yet more ‘effectiveness’ out of those who have nothing – by instigating mandatory daily job centre visits, community service or intensive training for the long-term unemployed. Instead of addressing the issue of the Work Programme failing to make any... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:34:00 GMT Parking is the latest focus for Government reform, with Pickles decrying the use of ‘snooping’ vans to catch citizens. ‘Over-zealous’ parking enforcement must be removed, new proposals state, although councillors were quick to point out the money raised through enforcement goes straight back into parking services... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Sep 2013 14:30:00 GMT The Government’s Rural Broadband programme came under fire today from the PAC, which has been accused of a lack of competition, transparency and value for money. Getting fast broadband speeds to the whole country is an important task, but one that becomes more challenging as the rural communities that are hardest to reach are left... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Sep 2013 12:05:00 GMT Socitm’s latest data shows that demand for council services via the internet is increasing, and highlights exactly where local authorities need to improve their provision of services. As public expectations for online accessibility increases, councils must keep up and ensure the most popular searches always return the right... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Sep 2013 12:05:00 GMT Housing looks set to become one of the key battlegrounds for the 2015 election, as demand continues to outstrip building work. Ed Miliband has outlined plans to build 200,000 new homes a year, alongside a commission into a variety of measures to free up council control over development. The Coalition has itself introduced a number of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:33:00 GMT Public sector workers are one of the stronger constituencies for Labour – but the party is unlikely to grant the wishes of many by promising to end the pay cap if it gets into Government. It has no doubt calculated that the chances of public sector workers abandoning the party if it sticks to the Coalition’s plans on the cap... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:35:00 GMT Is anyone else astonished by how much work the  Public Accounts Committee manages to get through?  Four reports published today alone, and it seems like another hard-hitting investigation or interrogation happens every other day.  The committee deals with a huge and diverse range of subjects, and the reports are almost... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Sep 2013 14:00:00 GMT Some technical but potentially important procurement reforms are outlined in the Cabinet Office’s consultation today, which are likely to effect many public sector organisations. Many experts on both the buying and selling sides have issues with public sector procurement, almost always describing it as slow and bureaucratic, with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Sep 2013 11:05:00 GMT Free school meals is a popular policy, unsurprisingly – it’s benefits are easy to understand and immediate, and the costs through taxation relatively small and indirect. The benefits all sound excellent, though the actual science behind the link with attainment – which would be by far the biggest reason to implement the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:05:00 GMT The Daniel Pelka serious case review, like the evidence in the earlier murder trial, is harrowing and upsetting. But it must be used to learn lessons for the future. Unfortunately, far too many of the failures that contributed to the death of four-year-old are common to previous cases, and show that previous recommendations have not been... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Sep 2013 15:00:00 GMT Vince Cable is the latest politician to promise action on zero-hours contracts, but announcements and consultations must be translated into real change to help the large-scale abuse of employees. His particular focus will be on the caveat whereby employers restrict workers from working for anyone else, despite no guarantee of hours within... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Sep 2013 10:36:00 GMT The two announcements made yesterday in relation to private housing seem slightly at odds with one another. More funding is hoped to attract investment in new housing to rent, while another pot of money will help create more tenants organisations, to keep bad landlords in line. Rented housing is a crucial part of the housing picture... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 13 Sep 2013 11:05:00 GMT A remarkable range of organisations have concerns or are outright opposed to the Royal Mail sell-off. The Postal Services Act 2011, considering its radical content and the trouble Labour had with this issue – and the fact that even Margaret Thatcher considered the Royal Mail as a privatisation too far – was passed with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Sep 2013 10:05:00 GMT Furore over the bedroom tax – or spare room subsidy, depending on your political agenda – continues to rise, as a UN housing specialist has called for the policy to be axed. Shapps was right to criticise Rolnik’s premature conclusions, ahead of her report due next spring. It is unwise to form recommendations before an... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 11 Sep 2013 11:05:00 GMT The first results of the Troubled Families scheme have been published today, celebrating thousands of lives ‘turned around’ by council intervention. Less truancy, unemployment, crime and costs are all great steps forward. But these families are by definition “hard to help”. Their problems are complex and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:33:00 GMT Variation in the treatment of the BME population in the criminal justice system needs to be addressed, a new report recommends. It’s a good example of the importance of taking multiple factors into account; experience within prisons depends on so many different things. Greater transparency around the way race and mental health... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Sep 2013 10:05:00 GMT The new PASC report into the failings of the civil service is certainly direct in its message; that the current plan is untenable and changes to culture, training and accountability are vital. Will it be enough to shift an embedded denial the MPs highlighted in leaders throughout Whitehall? The first step towards change is recognising... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:05:00 GMT Universal Credit has faced substantial amounts of criticism, with the latest attack coming from the NAO, which highlighted the DWP’s plans as overly ambitious with a lack of IT expertise and appropriate leadership. It’s a huge policy change which requires effective management and clear measures of success. At the moment, the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 Sep 2013 11:05:00 GMT The need for greater use of data and reduced use of paper in Government is paramount. Policy Exchange’s new report aims to set out some of the possible cost savings from moving the majority of services online, and calls for the civil service to ensure staff have the right digital skills to do so. In terms of efficiency, this is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:35:00 GMT The expansion of free schools could help to plug the forecast shortfall in primary places, but a lack of council control over these organisations could lead to further problems. How will this affect school places into the future? The LGA has warned that an increase of free schools means that local authorities will not be able to manage... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 03 Sep 2013 11:31:00 GMT Some employers are failing to provide agency staff with equal pay, despite EU legislation to ensure this, the TUC has found. A loophole is allowing businesses to pay these staff less, despite doing the same jobs as permanent employees. Considered alongside the recent spotlight on the use of zero-hours contracts – flexibility is not... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Sep 2013 10:05:00 GMT Pickles’ comments today on councils “hoarding” billions are exasperating to say the least. Local government is attempting to manage huge cuts whilst protecting the very services it is legally required to provide. The cash reserves are clearly a response to their shredded budgets, a move borne of fear and panic. This is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 30 Aug 2013 11:35:00 GMT Shelter has proposed an interesting solution to the housing problem in the UK – more schemes of shared ownership, which would allow families who can’t secure large deposits to buy instead of rent. It also points out that any grand scheme must be linked with a good supply of new housing. One of the major criticisms against the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 29 Aug 2013 11:30:00 GMT Simplifying the energy market and forcing suppliers to give customers clear information about the cheapest tariff for them is a huge challenge. Ofgem has now announced a timeline for the reforms, which will see standards of conduct introduced next year. The Big Six have had so much freedom, for so long, to charge higher and higher prices... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Aug 2013 11:05:00 GMT Despite considerable protests, badger culls begin today in Somerset and in Gloucestershire later this week. Campaigners against the pilots seem to be collating two different arguments; that the culls will be ineffective in reducing bovine TB, and that controlled shooting is inhumane. It is the former which is the most compelling.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 27 Aug 2013 10:05:00 GMT Moves to crack down on employers who fail to pay the national minimum wage should be welcomed. The ability to publicly shame companies who are breaking the law could help to reduce the rate of employees missing out, and damage the reputations of those who refuse to pay a basic rate.  It is simply unacceptable that employers believe... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 23 Aug 2013 15:15:00 GMT Civitas’ new book seems to have an alarming message for would-be parents; ignore any social, economical or environmental impacts and have as many children as you can.  Firstly, it is somewhat dubious to believe public policy and warnings over austerity would actually have any effect over people’s decisions to have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:45:00 GMT The TUC has warned that the new pension scheme could leave thousands of workers worse off as the state moves to a single tier pension. But research shows a distinct lack of preparation for retirement, which is leading to poverty in old age.  The longer people live, the more living in long retirements, the more costly for the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 21 Aug 2013 13:45:00 GMT A pay culture enrooted in sexism is not conducive to a successful business. New research from the CMI indicates how far inequality still reaches in the workplace, and how harmful this can be to employers as well as employees. Explaining such a gap by saying that women are more likely to enter careers which do not often give bonuses is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 20 Aug 2013 11:05:00 GMT The price of having children has jumped, a new report warns. It’s another example of how the cuts are hitting the most vulnerable hardest; families battling the rising cost of living while benefits are frozen or scrapped. Knowing exactly how much each child will cost your household clearly demonstrates the breadth of poverty across... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:03:00 GMT Despite Cameron’s urgings on the safety of fracking, hundreds of campaigners are set to arrive at a site where Cuadrilla is currently drilling for oil, but could apply to introduce fracking. As peaceful protest risks turning into mass civil disobedience, the strength of feeling concerning the controversial technique is clearly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 16 Aug 2013 12:05:00 GMT The Deprived Area Fund could have a huge impact on poor communities in the Highlands, helping local people improve their skills and find work. Is this an example that English councils could learn from? Benefit changes and deep cuts for local services risk pushing many more families into poverty, which generates significant human and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 15 Aug 2013 11:05:00 GMT Local councils get to dig back at Eric Pickles’ continual demands for greater efficiency today with new analysis demonstrating the gap between tax collected by local and national government. If central tax collection was as efficient as that of councils, billions could be saved. Of course there is room for improvement in both... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Aug 2013 12:04:00 GMT Despite Help to Buy’s reported success so far, critics are warning that helping more and more new buyers get mortgages approved whilst in the middle of a housing shortage The lack of affordable housing has been cited as a significant economic obstacle, holding up employment, growth and young people getting on the property... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:05:00 GMT Cameron’s call to arms for fracking will be met with significant resistance by environmental campaigners, as well as those living in the areas that are most likely to be affected.   There will be no damage to the countryside the Prime Minister has tried to reassure us. He goes on to point out that other forms of drilling have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Aug 2013 11:45:00 GMT Lessons in politeness have been suggested for Manchester police, who have been criticised for poor manners and advised to increase eye contact, nodding and the use of supportive language. This is basic common sense. If you are dealing with any human being, let alone the victim of a crime, you should be considerate and empathic. Can the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 09 Aug 2013 12:04:00 GMT The construction industry must act now to bridge its looming skills gap, and look into apprenticeships and recruitment of new talent. As well as boosting employment, it would ensure a more sustainable workforce, and allow essential building projects to get started. Employers should be looking towards the future and taking steps to avoid... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 08 Aug 2013 11:04:00 GMT Guest blog by Paul Dossett, partner and head of local government at Grant Thornton UK LLP Local government funding took yet another clobbering in the latest spending review. The Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government took the plaudits from the Chancellor for having delivered further significant savings... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:05:00 GMT The upcoming Liberal Democrat conference is to discuss a policy that would see petrol and diesel cars banned by 2040, suggesting that only electric or hybrid vehicles should be allowed on UK roads except for freight purposes It’s a controversial proposal, to say the least. Despite huge gains in modal shift towards more sustainable... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 06 Aug 2013 13:05:00 GMT The Government’s approach to rewarding people “who want to work hard and get on” – in comparison to all those lazy shirkers – has come under criticism again with a childcare scheme which only pays out to families with both parents in work. It’s a policy which means well. Childcare costs are far and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Aug 2013 11:04:00 GMT While the funding for councils to improve their housing arrangements should be welcomed, it is worth looking a little deeper to understand why so many cases of families being housed long-term in B&Bs happen in so few areas. It’s a problem which seems to spiral out of control, making it even harder for local authorities to put... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:03:00 GMT Despite confirming that council spending is expected to decrease for another year, CIPFA’s analysis does also show that the reductions themselves are growing smaller. It’s a downhill slope, but not quite as steep as last year, or the year before. With countless warnings over how local government is going to cope with the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 Aug 2013 11:04:00 GMT The rise of electric cars is a great step for the UK, and it is good to see government support for infrastructure to support this rise. Councils can use funding to improve accessibility to electric vehicles, encouraging take-up and helping to meet tough environmental standards. Shifting to more sustainable forms of transport will require... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:05:00 GMT The spare room subsidy, or bedroom tax, has prompted a huge amount of opposition. The result of ten families’ judicial review against the cuts could be a huge blow to the DWP’s plans to cut the housing benefit bill – or it could be a significant win for the Government. It’s a move that would certainly save money... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:04:00 GMT Moves to cut bureaucracy in the public sector are again running the risk of cutting workers’ rights, making it harder and harder to seek compensation for unfair dismissal and other mistreatment at work. The expense of such claims has been described as a burden on business, and the new fees are expected to make employees think twice... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:05:00 GMT The new Ofsted inspections may be “moving the goalposts”, as it was put by NUT general secretary Christine Blower, but it is movement in the right direction. Schools with less than excellent teaching should not be rated as outstanding – teaching is clearly the most important part of the service a school offers. Without... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:04:00 GMT The Government’s plans to increase the role of the private sector in public services have come under criticism again today, this time from the Science and Technology Committee on the closure of the FSS. Private providers were expected to jump in and pick up the slack, but it hasn’t quite turned out that way. The committee... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:05:00 GMT The Green Deal has not quite been the huge move for energy efficiency it was hoped to be – at least not yet. What else could national, and local, government do to improve take-up of the scheme, and encourage the public of the benefits both for them and the environment? The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Jul 2013 11:03:00 GMT The youth contract has had a disappointing first year, with numbers far lower than expected. The Federation of Small Businesses maintains that financial subsidies are the best incentives to get young, long-term unemployed people into work. But it clearly isn’t working; the thousands of young people it was meant to help aren’t... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Jul 2013 11:05:00 GMT More elderly are living in areas where services and support can be thin on the ground – risking health, happiness and financial difficulty. Age UK is calling for government to take this demographic into consideration when developing and planning local services – how changes affect users is arguably more important than chasing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:19:00 GMT Government departments have come under new criticism for their failure to manage procurement effectively today, as the PASC publishes its latest report. A lack of skill in the civil service and EU Directives take much of the blame for these failings, and only a complete overhaul of the way Whitehall procures services and products will be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 19 Jul 2013 11:01:00 GMT The correlation of crime going down as police officer numbers rise has been thoroughly rubbished today as new figures show both officers and the crime rate are at their lowest level in years. It’s a link the police were keen to keep; if ministers can make the case for a smaller police force while continuing to reduce crime, they... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Jul 2013 11:32:00 GMT The Smith Institute’s new report makes for interesting reading, and addresses one of the under-examined causes of poverty: low wages and wage inequality. Stronger representation in the workplace could significantly reduce this, as could greater use of fair-wage clauses and an extension of the living wage. But this is all fairly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:04:00 GMT What will the move to transform the Highways Agency into a public company achieve? It is unfortunate timing for the announcement, which comes just a day after the ORR has criticised Network Rail, the model for the idea. But extra funding and a change in focus do not necessarily need a complete restructuring and for the agency to be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 16 Jul 2013 12:33:00 GMT The benefit cap is great politics for the Government – there aren’t many people keen to defend policies which see some families getting more in benefits than the average family earns from work. It’s clearly a symbolic move (the less-generous might say stunt) aimed more at favourable newspaper coverage than actually... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:48:00 GMT Is the promise of a tax-free post-2015 something George Osborne can actually deliver? The pledge aims to set the Conservatives apart from Labour on taxes, and allow the Government to meet deficit reduction targets without causing even greater financial harm to the voting public (except those who use public services, of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:03:00 GMT The proposed pay rise for MPs is lower than initially expected, but still represents a substantial increase in salary while the rest of the public sector struggles through austerity measures. Reducing perks of the job; free meals, taxis and huge resettlement grants, will go some way to balancing the increase, but for many it will not be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:03:00 GMT Civil service reform is due to get a kick into action today, as Francis Maude outlines new proposals for permanent secretaries and ministerial teams. The changes will be far-ranging, but could bring substantial savings in terms of efficiency. But unions have warned against ‘politicising’ civil servants, making their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Jul 2013 12:34:00 GMT The IPSOS Mori report for the Royal Statistical Society and King’s College London on public misunderstanding of key facts on policy issues has generated a lot of debate in the media and on Twitter this morning. Some might dismiss this as elites and the political class sneering at the ignorance of the general population, or write off... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:03:00 GMT Newcastle has become the first council to impose a late-night levy on venues that serve alcohol after midnight. From November, it will impose an annual charge of up to £4,400 on such venues – to reclaim the costs of policing and cleaning up the effects of binge drinking, it says. Bar and club owners think differently, and say... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Jul 2013 10:19:00 GMT The minimum wage is an essential safeguard against dangerously low pay, but it still has further to go, the chair of the Low Pay Commission has warned. Businesses should not regard it as an acceptable wage to pay when they can afford a level of pay which would allow a far higher quality of life for their employees. In short, minimum... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:04:00 GMT Pickles’ blithe and forced optimism must be grating on the local authorities who have just been told they must continue to bear the brunt of the cuts into 2015. Of course people resist change, and this can be a significant barrier to greater efficiency. But repeating the same sentiments, urging ambition, and sweeping away all valid... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Jul 2013 10:48:00 GMT Chris Grayling is to reconsider plans to allocate legal aid on a price basis – a move which could have eliminated defendants’ rights to choose their own solicitor, with the right expertise to fit their case. But the justice secretary still has huge savings to make, and has indicated he is only willing to consider alternatives... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:06:00 GMT The legislation the Welsh Government is seeking to bring into force on organ donation could be revolutionary, for the country as well as the wider UK. Sufficient public consultation and awareness raising campaigns mean people will have no excuse not to opt out if that is what they really want. This move will not force people into... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:18:00 GMT The new edoc system could have a significant impact on the health service’s journey towards a paper-free system. Using paper transfers is expensive, harmful to the environment, and can lead to a greater risk or errors. Moving online could be a huge step forwards for the efficiency challenge, and have advantages for many other parts... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Jun 2013 12:54:00 GMT Good news for health and social care, defence, international development, and education; bad news for local government, again, and arts and culture. The spending review set out a series of biting cuts for most departments, to curb the deficit and boost efficiency. But how much room for genuine efficiency savings is left? How far will... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Jun 2013 10:27:00 GMT More needs to be done on the Government’s carbon strategy to meet targets up to 2027, the committee on climate change has urged in its new report. The introduction of new schemes and incentives for a greener UK are making a good impact, but policy must continue to build on this progress to ensure an environmentally sustainable... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 26 Jun 2013 11:18:00 GMT The issue of recruitment is more complex than there just being no jobs to be found, or none of the right skills that employers are looking for. The IET’s new report highlights a distinct lack of motivation in the engineering industry at least, and shows that employers themselves must take more initiative in both training and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:00:00 GMT The Government plans to distract attention from the £11.5bn spending cuts that have now been finalised, with new investment in infrastructure. Changing the tone of the fiscal strategy from reductions and redundancies to growth and employment is essential; both for political posturing and for a welcome shift to resorting... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Jun 2013 10:38:00 GMT Gagging clauses have been in the spotlight for health for some time, with several individuals stepping forward to reveal details of poor care in the institutions they were forced to leave. Now the NAO finds that problematic compromise agreements are in use across the wider public sector, without any central control, guidance, or... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 21 Jun 2013 12:03:00 GMT Sir Michael Wilshaw is warning about the impact of schools failing the ‘hidden poor’ – in rich areas outside of major cities, but what about the visible poor? Have we reached a stage where these disadvantaged children are receiving the same support, and achieving the same standards of education as those whose parents are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:50:00 GMT In the midst of civil service reform, the NAO has warned of skills shortages, particularly for senior positions. Without expertise in their area, people filling these roles will struggle to deliver effective policy change. Strong leaders are key to helping Whitehall become more efficient and provide a good example for other areas of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:34:00 GMT Incentives aimed to boost innovation in SMEs which appear to be working may only have a short-term effect, research from Nesta suggests. Using a more in-depth analysis to test the effectiveness of different support schemes is vital to ensure the Government is only funding policy that has been proven to work over the long-term. More... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:37:00 GMT Stephen Twigg is to set out Labour’s education strategy today, going further with the Academies programme. The opposition will not seek to reverse the process of schools being taken out of local authority control – perhaps they realise it has gone too far for that – and will instead extend responsibility for budget and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:35:00 GMT The latest research on fit notes highlights a need for greater support for certain demographics which are most at risk of needing long-term sickness absence. Many of the most common causes for a fit note are preventable, or can be minimised, through better health and safety regulations, occupational health and wellbeing support and less... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:07:00 GMT Is Ofsted right in claiming that previously high-achieving pupils are suffering from low expectations in secondary school? Some teachers unions have blasted the allegations for a questionable evidence base, but stretching the most able students should be a priority for schools regardless of the percentage who scored well on their year 6... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:37:00 GMT The new PwC survey highlights the serious tightrope that local authorities are walking between efficiency savings and protecting service quality. But is it really inevitable that some councils will either face bankruptcy or fail to meet their statutory duties? There are pockets of best practice where councils are managing to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:40:00 GMT Will local authorities sign up to CIWM’s new pledge on health, safety and wellbeing? The organisation is calling for those involved in waste and resource management to go beyond the basic legal requirements, and implement procedures that will keep employees safe throughout the sector. A safe workplace will save money and lives... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:36:00 GMT The new report from the Commons home affairs select committee should be taken very seriously indeed – perhaps now Michael Gove will be persuaded to introduce new training and support for teachers to help identify and protect children vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Ignorance can be no excuse – local authorities must work... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:08:00 GMT Would ex-military personnel make good teachers? Some of them would, with the appropriate amount of training and qualifications. The Government is keen to get army leaders into the classroom as quickly as possible, citing high levels of discipline, motivation and teamwork as key qualities for a new role in education. But leading... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:37:00 GMT Will giving local residents more power to reject plans for wind farms in their area spell the end for renewable energy? The Government is to introduce higher incentives to allow the farms, but opposition to wind turbines can be significant, to say the least. So which will the public prefer – lower energy bills, or a clear... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:17:00 GMT Strange to see a report praising the Government’s delivery of a major infrastructure project – we’ve grown so used to seeing the opposite, apart perhaps from the case of the Olympics. But the stations, tracks and other associated elements of the Thameslink north-south railway upgrade through London are apparently both on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:27:00 GMT News of fresh changes to GCSEs will have education professionals up in arms once more, as Gove moves to reform the qualifications. We have heard of E-Baccs and now I-levels – but will different names actually deliver a better education system? Replacing lettered grades with numbers seems to be change for change’s... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:37:00 GMT The new funding announced to address ‘pinch points’ in the road network could help to free up key routes and give a much-needed boost to the economy. Local authorities have been urgently highlighting the need to fund repairs to roads suffering from winter damage and a backlog of potholes to fix. While this money will go some... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:01:00 GMT The success of apprenticeships is great news for campaigners pushing for more students to learn a trade, rather than go straight to university. But the number of apprenticeships available is mirroring the jobs market – with demand far outstripping supply. How can we support more young people into training and work when the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 31 May 2013 13:06:00 GMT New regulations and rules come into force today to limit councils’ involvement in business – or to free up the market and cut red tape, if you believe the rhetoric. Health and safety inspections will be limited to those deemed high-risk, despite the long-term dangers of back pain and musco-skeletal conditions affecting huge... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 30 May 2013 11:45:00 GMT More and more local authorities are considering more active engagement with the private rented sector, with up to a third of them saying compulsory landlord licensing may be necessary. The number of private renters increased by 88% between 2001 and 2011, ONS figures show (from 9% of the population, or 1.9 million, to 15%, 3.6 million)... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 29 May 2013 11:52:00 GMT The Ministry of Justice is one of the first Whitehall departments to settles its budget for the 2015-16 financial year with the Treasury, it is reported this morning – though in his interview about it on the Today programme, Chancellor George Osborne dodged a question on the story this morning about courts privatisation. All he said... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 May 2013 09:59:00 GMT The Commons Home Affairs select committee has highlighted a worrying trend in PCCs, with many increasing the budgets they inherited from the police authorities they replaced. And there is a lack of transparency around this data, with no national register to ensure accountability. Questions around the benefits of bringing in elected... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 May 2013 13:11:00 GMT Many have campaigned for lower tuition fees, but the new research published by Million+ may be one of the first to set out exactly how this could be achieved without financial loss to either universities or the Treasury. The study has not been accepted by Government, but enabling a greater proportion of loans to be paid back in full could... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 May 2013 11:21:00 GMT Ring-fenced budgets are coming under closer and closer scrutiny as the next Public Spending Review nears. It has already been suggested that funding specified only for the NHS could actually be used more effectively in areas such as social care and integrated services in the community. Now Reform is calling for the schools budget to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 May 2013 16:41:00 GMT With unemployment rising again, and the resulting poverty and dependence on welfare that it brings, the Government’s intervention to help those most in need of work seems to be failing. Poor initial results and criticism by MPs highlight the need to go further to find employment for Britain’s most disadvantaged. Despite a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 May 2013 11:33:00 GMT The future of the Gay Marriage Bill will come down to Labour today, as up to 150 Tories prepare to oppose it by stretching the definition of equality to ludicrous lengths. It is evidence of further cracks in the Conservative Party, which is increasingly divided over a number of policy issues. Downing Street has warned that amendments... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 May 2013 11:03:00 GMT Is subsidising renewable energy limiting its innovation? Civitas has suggested it is, costing greater efficiencies and the taxpayers’ money. Meeting the EU’s 2009 Renewables Directive will not be cheap, but focusing solely on set-up costs for the infrastructure needed for greener energy is extremely... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 May 2013 13:07:00 GMT Another warning against austerity and welfare cuts has come today, with the publication of the BMA’s new report. Cutting health intervention projects which are tackling the causes of poverty and deprivation is simply short sighted, and perhaps this recent rush of evidence highlighting the consequences of such an approach could serve... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT New data from the OECD warns of the danger of cutting the welfare system in the UK, with income inequality widening since the economic crisis. Welfare provides a net to catch those let down by employment, with narrowing opportunities to stay out of poverty. It supports millions of people, both young and old, and it is being completely... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 May 2013 14:15:00 GMT Extra funding announced to support homeless people once they have been discharged from hospital will be incredibly welcome and offers the opportunity to break a cycle of ill health and homelessness. Homeless people are significantly more vulnerable to admission to A&E or hospital, and cost the NHS more to treat. By enabling voluntary... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT Should there be more stringent controls over how the pupil premium is spent in schools, to ensure it is being used most effectively? Previously criticised by Ofsted, for a small number of schools failing to make a sufficient difference to the lives of children from disadvantaged families, the premium could be at risk of cuts under the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 May 2013 10:55:00 GMT The LGA has published a dire warning for central Government on the need to rearrange the funding structure for local authorities. Budgets must be redefined if they are to be used effectively, and allow councils to continue to provide essential, but non-statutory, services. The so-called “black hole” of funding is growing wider... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT The push to change the statutory ratios for childcare could risk quality of care, charities and parents are warning. The move will clearly save money for child minders or their employers, but it is difficult to appreciate how care itself can be improved. Carers will simply come under greater stress, and be less capable to give sufficient... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 May 2013 13:30:00 GMT Socitm has highlighted the need for councils to improve their online presence and the way they deliver information about local services to residents. Keeping up with the latest technology is not only what the public expect, it will save local government huge amounts in efficiencies. Directing queries and concerns from the phone to a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 May 2013 12:45:00 GMT Would gathering data from pupils, teachers and parents provide a more effective approach to school inspections? It’s what think tank Demos has recommended, suggesting it will offer a “more honest” picture of schools’ performance, and increase the likelihood of improvement, as solutions will be developed by schools... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 May 2013 13:15:00 GMT How seriously should the leading political parties take the gains made by UKIP today? Now officially the opposition in one council, Lincolnshire, it may be past the time where a policy of ignoring the party, or ridiculing candidates as “clowns” is an effective strategy. As Shapps points out, the rise in public support... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT Grayling’s latest suggestions for prison reform come across as vindictive tinkering rather than anything that would actually benefit the wider public, let alone offenders themselves. Will withholding toys and incentives make prisoners more repentant, more eager to atone for their mistakes? These are adults, and treating them like... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:30:00 GMT The rollout of Universal Credit begins today, albeit with a much smaller bang than initially planned. Just one of the four pilots will see new claimants begin to receive the consolidated payment today, with the others postponed until July. There are still considerable concerns around the system’s capability to accurately calculate... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:30:00 GMT Councils have greater responsibility for public health now, with the transition at the beginning of April from now-defunct NHS bodies. But national matters are the purview of Public Health England, and the measles outbreak created by the media gullibility of Andrew Wakefield’s discredited theories a decade and more ago is its... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:45:00 GMT The number of young people going into higher education has almost reached 50%, considered a significant milestone for the previous government, albeit not for this one. Despite a rush of people going to university straight from school, beating £9,000 tuition fee rises that have since been introduced, is this really as good news as it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT People are disproportionately scared of crime, new statistics indicate today. The UK Peace Index demonstrates how incidents of violent crime have consistently decreased over the past ten years, but the media barrage of terrorist threats, uncovered paedophiles, kidnappings and murder has coloured the way the public view their own... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT A division between those who can get online and those who have no access at home could be perpetuating inequality, as those without may miss out on vital services. Compared to the rest of those in the UK, this problem is particularly acute in Glasgow, and the Carnegie UK Trust has recommended a range of actions to improve provision across... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Once again the Government has suddenly realised that councils don’t just do things for the hell of it, or to create pointless bureaucracy – but actually do have a reason for their rules. The planning permission controversy is similar to previous u-turns by the Government. It wants more building – fine. But it should have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT SOCITM, the association for public sector IT management, always gets some press coverage for its investigations into the quality of local authority websites. The team behind ‘Better Connected 2013’ came up with the following tests to check the quality, usefulness and design of the council websites: Find information about... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Early years’ education is one of the single most important services the government can offer to its people, with the effects of this service reaching far into the future. Levels of employment, crime, drug abuse and anti-social behaviour, successful relationships and dependence on welfare are all directly linked to the quality of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Will building more houses specifically to rent help manage the growing housing shortages across the UK? Fewer and fewer people can afford to own their own home, but sky-high rents make this option increasingly expensive for residents struggling to make ends meet. The Government has announced a round of schemes to receive funding to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Royal Borough of Greenwich has come up with a way to manage benefit cuts and the total cap due to be rolled out from July. Investing in a work programme will help many residents reliant on welfare to find, and keep jobs. For many, the benefit changes could push them ever-deeper into poverty, but despite significant opposition, the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s new ‘Gold Standard’ scheme could significantly improve councils’ homelessness services; ensuring adequate prevention support is in place as well as opportunities to help take people off the streets. The fact that the scheme is sector-led is a great move for handing control of services to local... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Despite the dire picture of cuts, particularly on local government spending, it seems as if the overall mood of the public sector is higher than might be expected. The latest Ipsos MORI research indicates that although a fifth of leaders believe the quality of their services is being damaged by cuts, the same amount believe it is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The news of Margaret Thatcher’s death has been met with extreme views from across the political spectrum – those honouring her love of Britain and contribution to the country, and those who are actively rejoicing. Commentators across the web are also debating the traditional warning to not speak ill of the dead; an adage that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT New research has demonstrated the growing recognition of the value of apprenticeships from employers – and with good reason. A person who is both studying for a higher lever qualification and who has practical experience of the working world can offer far more than a university graduate. The move towards more experience based... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The challenge of speeding up adoption has taken a new turn, as the LGA submits alternative proposals for how councils could improve services. Government had been threatening to remove councils from the process of recruiting adopters altogether, due to the huge shortfall of adoptive parents and the length of the adoption process, which was... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government is pushing forward with its plans to cut legal aid, which justice secretary Chris Grayling described as “spiralling out of control”. Prisoners pursuing complaints against the prison system may have their legal aid cut, in a bid to save millions and cut the number of cases. It may seem slightly ironic that those... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT MPs have raised concerns about the feasibility of the new Universal Credit system to accurately identify fraudulent claims. The Government is introducing a new fraud detection service, but the communities and local government committee suggested that this seemed to be still at a development stage. It will be a significant change, and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The UKBA is to be abolished and brought back into the Home Office under direct ministerial control, Theresa May has announced. The move follows severe criticism from a number of angles on the size of the backlog of cases, a lack of transparency and mounting costs. A Home Affairs committee report, published earlier this week, declared that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT There is greater scope for police to make savings in procurement, the NAO has concluded, particularly in areas where common specifications for widely used goods could be introduced. Forces across the country are facing substantial budget cuts and trying to do more with less could jeopardise front line staff. But working in larger... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The new report from Ofsted and the CQC is calling for a national obligation to collect data on parents with mental health issues, to prevent the risk of children being harmed. While greater protection of children is something society and Government should be working to promote, should people with mental health issues be legally required... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The third runway at Heathrow has been at the centre of heated arguments for years, and now the Airport Commission is considering how to expand capacity to meet future demand. Heathrow has warned of the many terrible consequences associated with failure to expand the airport – unmet demand being taken by international competitors... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT As Chancellor George Osborne joined Twitter yesterday, ahead of the Budget, there was plenty of comment and criticism from the public. It’s a step forward for Government in that it could encourage far greater engagement between citizens and politicians – the Budget was trending all afternoon – but it is difficult to see... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Whatever Osborne announces today in his Budget – will it be enough? The Government is committed to maintaining its course of austerity, but businesses from all sides are pushing for investment to boost growth. The Chancellor’s introduction to Twitter will also open him up to a swathe of mockery, and a clear line of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Electoral Commission has published a new report highlighting yet more problems with the PCC elections, held last November with a dismal turnout. Many people did not have access to enough information, the report suggests, which contributed greatly to the lack of voters. But is the problem really to do with information? Of course... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The HMRC has been severely criticised today for its “disgraceful” customer service, which falls well below industry standards. Even their targets to improve this poor performance are not as high as they could, or should be, according to the Public Accounts Committee. Whilst any improvement will be welcomed, and some of their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT In the face of escalating demand for school places, the Government must do more to identify the amount of funding necessary for the next few years. The NAO has warned that there is a lack of clarity around the level of contribution local authorities will be required to make, and whether this is in line with Government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Road damage is an increasingly critical issue for many councils, and the LGA has stated that believing this mounting bill can be paid through local authority efficiency measures is “deeply unrealistic”. Local government is seeking to put measures in place to resurface and protect roads before the number of potholes spirals out... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Often the greater the level of collaboration within an industry, the greater their chances are of securing investment and development. Closer integration can lead to increased advantages for a much wider range of organisations, as well as the public they provide services for. Agreeing on a set approach to common problems can also improve... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Prime Minister is pushing for more apprenticeships, but the success of an alternative path to university requires significant work on its branding and public perception. It is not just a case of encouraging more businesses and employers to launch such schemes and recruit young people to work for them. The desire to take up an... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has been accused of short-term thinking in designating cuts, with the PAC bringing a strong argument against poorly joined-up, short-term thinking without full consideration of the impacts of those spending decisions. Managing public spending over a number of departments, who the PAC accuses of “game playing”... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Social Value Conference held in Liverpool offers some practical methods to ensure including social value in public sector contracts is not relegated to a tick-box exercise. Going straight to commissioners is an excellent idea. Involving them from the beginning could make a real difference to the contracts that are signed across the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Devolving transport funding decisions to local authorities has worked in other countries – now the LGA is calling for the UK Government to give councils greater powers to control funding and deliver increased returns on investment. Some savings can only be generated centrally, and a single authority has the potential to offer a more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Does raising the bar for primary schools’ targets really help improve children’s education? Or does it simply provide another arbitrary burden on schools which may be struggling? Teachers and unions could use extra resources, not challenges, to improve standards. But higher targets could motivate certain schools to stretch... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Will there ever be enough safeguards to convince liberals and libertarians in Parliament that ‘secret courts’ are a good idea? The Government does seem to be bending over backwards to amend the proposed legislation to deal with individual criticisms – but for its fiercest critics, it is the entire principle of closed... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has announced a major new contract with arvato to deliver shared services for the DfT, and later for other departments. It could offer huge savings through economies of scale and better communication, information through a shared approach. The Cabinet Office has suggested the contract with a private sector provider... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT More and more councils are deciding to reject the Government’s offer to freeze council tax for the next year, new research suggests. The truth is that vital frontline services are being cut, and local authorities must consider every way they can to protect statutory provision. For some of the most hard-pressed councils, the tax... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The countdown to public health responsibility transferring from the NHS to local government is ticking away fast, and with the deadline looming, there is much work to be done fostering relationships and preparing workstreams. The mood at the LGA’s public health conference was generally positive, and even those who disagree with the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT One of the conclusions of the Public Accounts Committee’s report into the West Coast rail franchising debacle has much wider relevance to the whole public sector – namely, that external consultants sometimes are worth the money. The MPs’ report says the DfT’s decision to try to save some money by handling the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Government has been criticised today for the poor turnout at the PCC elections in November – but how much responsibility should be shouldered by the electorate themselves? The apathy represented by the 15% voter turnout cannot be completely due to cold weather. And there was a lengthy campaign to raise awareness of the vote... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The latest PAC report holds some difficult truths for the Government concerning their Welfare to Work scheme. The figures show that not only is the programme missing the DWP target of 11.9%, it is also below the number of people expected to get off benefits and into work on their own. This indicates that the scheme is literally worse... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Welsh public sector has been warned of the cost of bringing in external consultants without considering other options or whether the move is value for money for taxpayers. The report highlights the need to use public money more wisely and improve the way different parts of the sector work together. Better record-keeping and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Liverpool’s proposals for bringing vacant properties back into use could offer some great examples to other councils looking to maximise their housing portfolio. Refurbishing empty houses can offer a place to stay for families, boost growth in the area and help more residents get onto the housing ladder. The problem of housing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT ‘Unfair’ is a slippery word. Applied to subsidy for nuclear power, it could mean almost anything ministers want it to mean, allowing them to fund energy generation they had previously pledged to avoid. It is a clever bit of semantics that presents the Government as one that is keeping its promises whilst simultaneously doing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Welfare cuts and a lack of affordable housing are leading councils to look for increasingly desperate ways of providing shelter for their poorest residents. Recent plans include sending families hundreds of miles away, to cheaper areas. And now it has emerged that many are keeping families in B&Bs – stretching temporary... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Treasury has been severely criticised today for its handling of the Government’s lending scheme, as well as the department’s understanding of its role in monitoring public spending. With such a weak economy, and devastating cuts to local government, such lack of control over central government’s finances cannot be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The DWP has warned that local authorities must “absolutely not apply a blanket policy” of moving low income households out of their area to cheaper housing, up to 200 miles away. But what else, practically, are they meant to do? As cuts continue to bite, councils have steadily decreasing options. Rents in Camden are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The London Fire Authority could potentially face legal action from London Mayor Boris Johnson over its rejection of the order to open a consultation on the closure of 12 fire stations. The Authority has stated that it cannot support the plans, which would lead to a loss of 520 jobs. Are there better ways to increase efficiency in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT More must be done to tackle the threat of cyber crime, the NAO has reported. This includes improving provision of science and technology in school, to ensure the skills gap is covered now and in the future. IT security is only going to continue to grow in importance as technology advances. There is a lot that individual companies can... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Policy Exchange has called for the Government to redefine its measure of child poverty, to include the millions of children who are currently living “materially deprived lives” but are not recognised by the official target. Failing to fully capture the picture of child poverty in the UK means that these families will never... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The case for devolution has been shaken today, with the Public Accounts Committee’s report highlighting the risks involved in strategic decision making, transparency and cost. More data is necessary to ensure local authority performance can be measured against set targets. This aim is shared by the local authorities themselves... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Politicians often say they want to implement evidence-based policies – but it’s funny how quickly this goes out the window if it contradicts existing policies, or entrenched ideology. The LGA’s new report on youth unemployment makes an unrelenting case for youth unemployment policies decided and implemented locally... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT Businesses must start to seriously consider how they can provide services in a way which adds ‘social value’ to the community. Social Enterprise UK is right in calling for Government to build on the momentum of the Act, strengthening it to ensure this is implemented in practice. Could this be the first step towards a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT The decision by three police forces to not join a framework that would see services outsourced G4S will be welcomed by critics opposing further privatisation within key public services such as policing. This means that the company will not run financial, ICT or fleet services for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Local government must be given greater financial freedoms and power to design services to fit local needs, the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee has urged. Further devolution would allow councils to achieve the full potential of localism, and at last escape from prescriptive nagging from the powers that be. Would complete... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The award of the Future Cities Demonstrator to Glasgow is a very exciting development for a city which has so much need for innovative system integration. £24m funding could transform the area, boosting both the local economy and quality of life. The project also allows businesses to try different ways of working that may be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Local authorities will be given a stark warning today, that unless they manage to speed up the process of adoption and clear the national backlog by coordinating more closely with other councils, their powers over this area could be outsourced. As councils’ responsibility for delivering services continues to be reduced, the threat... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Pickles has published new statistics detailing how councils can reduce spending on troubled families – more guidance, or pressure, to deliver better services at a lower cost. Greater transparency and communication of ideas and programmes which can improve councils’ work with their poorest families is clearly positive. Such... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Transport academics and planners have questioned the Government’s proposed investment in a range of large transport projects, suggesting that the economic and employment cases are not as clear-cut as they could be. This must be considered carefully, as implementing new transport links for the sake of it, or to win public confidence... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Apprenticeships from 14 could offer less academically-minded students a way to achieve relevant, practically applicable skills, Policy Exchange has proposed. But would offering an alternative path so young reinforce the divide between vocational skills and those who are destined for higher education? Recommending that colleges and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Elderly people living in rural areas are particularly at risk of fuel poverty, Age UK has warned. People living in colder homes are far more likely to be susceptible to health issues and can even lead to preventable deaths. It makes sense for the Government to prioritise these people for house-warming and energy efficiency measures... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The new organisation Collaborate could provide much needed links between the public, private and third sectors, with potentially transformational results. There is more and more cause for these sectors to work together, yet a lack of understanding, trust and respect has held progress back. Public services are increasingly being delivered... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The CIPD has warned that public sector workers must start to consider how their individual performance should be linked with pay, bringing the sector more in line with private workers. This is a mindset that comes far more easily for the private sector – where individual performance is often seen as the main criteria with which to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT In rural areas, internet can provide connections as valuable as those offered by roads and transport links. This is the case behind investing in broadband connections for Welsh schools, with faster speeds allowing children growing up here the chance to access the same resources as those in more urban parts of the UK.  It is also... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Eric Pickles has once again attacked councils using inflammatory language but not much evidence, announcing plans to scrap fixed penalty notices for waste offences.  Councils will no longer have the power to fine residents for household waste offences, or ‘bin crimes’, as Pickles has chosen to portray them. Whilst... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The importance of good housing to health has been reinforced today, with the publication of a new report from the National Housing Federation (NHF). If patients are travelling to and from hospital without effective support to manage their recovery and reduce the need for readmissions, this creates high costs, both for the individual... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT How much of a barrier is low pay to people’s motivation to become councillors? According to a select committee report, it is a substantial deterrent to those who may wish to be involved. Particularly for the young, local government can be difficult to get into. In light of this, the committee has come up with a number of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Payment by results for probation is a risky business. Critics warn that it has not been tested in this field, which could lead to disastrous consequences. Justice secretary Chris Grayling has announced the plans, citing high reoffending rates as the need for change. But with no evidence that private firms could deliver this any better... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT MPs are to vote on the cap on benefit increases tonight, which opponents have suggested could significantly harm hard-working families – the very people the Government has consistently declared in justified need of support. The Coalition has stated that it is unfair for benefits to rise at a higher rate than wages, and the move... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Halfway through the Coalition, and Clegg and Cameron are presenting a united front – for the first time in awhile, following divisive and well-publicised spats over everything from the Leveson report to energy policy. The mid-term review should highlight some of the successes so far, as well as spelling out some long-awaited reforms... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The latest data from Nationwide demonstrates still-fragile conditions in the housing market, with many potential buyers deterred by problems in the wider economy and issues with mortgage availability. And the gap between north and south continues to widen, with house prices differing by around £95,000. This variation is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT New figures for the manufacturing industry could offer a glimpse of hope for the struggling economy, as output increased far ahead of forecasts. After many months of disappointing statistics, revised predictions and contraction after contraction, the latest PMI results are undoubtedly good news. Much depends on the reports on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Communities and Local Government Committee has raised concerns over the Government’s temporary relaxation of planning permission rules for home extensions. The plans were aimed at giving the flailing construction industry a boost, but the committee warns that the effects of the proposals would be permanent, and damaging to local... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest furore over Andrew Mitchell’s ‘pleb’ comments demonstrates how quickly the media can transform an incident into a life-changing moment for the individuals involved. If the accusations regarding the police officer are true, Mitchell has already been tried and judged by newspapers who were so quick to leap on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Local government has been criticised today for running up a total bill of £1,885,000 for breaches of the Data Protection Act. The ICO is demanding greater powers to audit councils’ data protection compliance, in an effort to force local authorities to take the treatment of sensitive personal information more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Measures to strengthen protection for intellectual property have been announced today by business secretary Vince Cable. It’s a tricky crime to crack down on, and one of the main barriers is actually the public’s perception that laws currently in place on IP are somehow less ‘real’ than other legislation. This... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The interesting thing about multiculturalism is that it only works if the different groups of people who have come to live in Britain maintain their own cultures, rather than just being assimilated into the rest of society. Multiculturalism was often held up as the height of tolerance and modern thinking – that we can live together... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The debate on gas continues to rage, as climate secretary Ed Davey lifts the suspension on fracking for shale gas today. Following the gas strategy launched at George Osborne’s Autumn Statement last week, many environmental campaigners will be growing angrier. And the CCC’s new report suggesting that a renewable energy... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest statistics are a welcome change from the doom and gloom of the tides of unemployment the UK has faced for so long. Although public sector employment is still falling, this has been more than compensated for by the private sector, which means employment is now at its highest since records began – though in the same week... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The level of criticism against Theresa May’s draft Communications Data Bill is increasing steadily, with the publication of two influential reports warning of “insufficient attention to the duty to respect the right to privacy”. The Home Office is attempting to defend the plans in the interest of national safety... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The future is still bleak for unemployment, a new analysis by the IPPR suggests. Even the recent improvements seen can not be counted on in the long term, they argue, as much of this is down to part-time work or self-employment. So the trouble finding a job will get worse before it gets better, and we are not yet at the lowest... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The thought of further, deeper welfare cuts to continue for the next eight years is an incredibly unpalatable prediction from the IFS. And the claim that ‘we are all in this together’ is wearing thin, as analysis suggests that poorest 20% of the population will be hit far harder than the richest. Osborne has tried to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Pickles has lambasted English councils for cutting services and scaring the public with “doom and gloom” whilst retaining reserves worth £12.9bn. The Audit Commission has found that council reserves have significantly increased over the last five years, and although £9.9bn has been earmarked for specific purposes... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The CIPD has today highlighted the need for employers to consider the different needs of an ageing workforce, and how practices can be modified to ensure productivity remains high. With our demography changing rapidly, it is essential that business recognises the consequences of older workers and considers how to manage this change... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new PF2 schemes are set to allay fears that private sector involvement in public sector financing is leading to rising debts and locked-in contracts. Will the measures manage to change practices and attitudes towards the private sector? It is necessary to involve the private sector, and their much-needed funding, to boost growth... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT Building on more land could solve the housing crisis, planning minister Nick Boles has suggested. But the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has hit back, proposing that his statements were incorrect, with the effects of development reaching far wider than 9% of the land. It is clear that some kind of compromise must be reached... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT A lack of foresight and planning means that many people in their 50s are ‘sleepwalking’ into a retirement of poverty, new evidence suggests. People’s projected length of retirement is also a problem as the study shows both men and women underestimate how long they will live once they have finished working. It is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The CBI has stated that the Government can invest in short-term measures for growth, whilst sticking to the much-contended deficit reduction programme. This involves making use of underspend from the previous year, and is one of the many suggestions being presented to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement. Many will welcome... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Flooding is significant a danger to residents and public sector organisations alike, but it also offers councils an opportunity to demonstrate effective teamwork with emergency services and to provide protection and support for those affected. Local authorities have been providing thousands of sandbags and water pumps to avoid the worst... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the Work Foundation has submitted its recommendations for how to boost growth and employment. This involves a strong focus on science and technology, as well as funding to balance out investment in London with growth in the regions. There is very little flexibility for such large... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The decision from Labour to abstain from joining the new Bristol Mayor’s cross-party cabinet has been received badly to say the least. Labour leader on the council, Peter Hammond, has stood down over the decision, stating that he cannot publicly support a decision that goes against his standpoint. And the party itself has been... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Energy bills and potholes – the stories in the news today are the sort that could worry the Government, because they’re the sort of things that really cut through with voters. A fascinating survey recently showed just how little political news gets through to the public – especially those to do with public policy and the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s controversial Academies Programme has been praised today for its significant expansion, albeit with a warning for the financial implications of this success. ‘Additional costs’ have been stacking up, and will continue to present challenges to the DfE, which has had to transfer funding from other budgets... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The House of Lords Constitution Committee’s new report contains a not-so-subtle dig at “recent developments” where ministers have been seen to distance themselves from the errors of civil servants and advisors within their departments. This attempt to pass the blame has been criticised by the Committee, who suggest... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT It is left to energy secretary Ed Davey to pick up the reins from Cameron’s potentially rash promise to force the Big Six into providing consumers with the cheapest available tariff. The announcement, via PMQs last month, was not coordinated with the energy department. This means that it lacks the consideration of a range of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The current schools system has been criticised for providing a ‘conveyor-belt’ approach to education, rather than one which offers all children the chance to achieve: an ‘escalator’ approach. It is not enough to provide a system which maintains an average, whilst leaving some to struggle and others to get bored;... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Carers UK has become the latest charity to underline the economic benefits of investing in a cause which will significantly enhance people’s quality of life. In a period of extended financial pressure, both local and national government do not have money to spare for causes which can appear as less than vital. But charities and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT It is a welcome change to see Iain Duncan Smith admit the definition of child poverty needs modifying, rather than accept the drop in the number of children living in poverty as a simple win for the Government. As it stands, the definition can provide results which appear positive, but in fact reflect a drop in average incomes, skewing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Gove’s newest speech blows the horn for harder exams, and higher bars of attainment for students to strive for. His reasoning is that the more challenging they are, the more motivation pupils will have to study more intensely, and the greater the confidence they will reap when they succeed. Not much mention is given to those who... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Inflation is up again – good economic news always seems to be followed by bad at the moment. A key factor has been the huge rise in the cost of education, following the lifting of the cap on tuition fees. Although the repayments are spread over years and years – and some low-earning graduates will never repay their loans... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Clegg’s dream of greater equality and flexibility for working hours could see elderly relatives and extended family sharing the responsibility of childcare, to allow more women to get back to work. The changes to workers’ rights, to be announced this week, reflect a growing awareness that society no longer functions in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Pickles is to introduce new measures to make it easer and cheaper to fire poorly performing council chief executives. Any move to implement such changes is potentially very risky; the existing bureaucracy was developed to protect staff, and the Government must be careful to ensure this policy does not affect competent chief... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Institute for Fiscal Studies’ report today illustrating the problems inherent in the National Scholarship Programme hardly comes as a surprise, as the numerous student support schemes offered by universities cannot be unified cohesively and often bewilder prospective students trying to fund their studies. The controversial and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should the Government be working to improve the reputation of care for children, in order to help protect those that need it most, and to ensure action is taken to prevent parents from continuing to abuse their children? Obviously improvements are needed to the system, and the more people who are available to provide care for such... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new report suggests that the significant financial pressure facing local authorities does not have to mean irreparable damage to library services, although there is a danger that councils will do so without adequate planning. The recommendations cover greater coordination with other local services as well as other local authorities to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ed Miliband has won a lot of coverage today for his announcements on the living wage, timed to coincide with the start of Living Wage Week and the confirmation of a rise in the rate. It’s one of those ideas that’s hard to disagree with, considering the obvious benefits for society, individual families, and even the Treasury... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Good people can do the wrong thing when under pressure and faced with a system full of perverse incentives.  That seems to be the message coming from Ofqual on the ‘significant overmarking’ and other issues at some schools surrounding this year’s English GCSE exams.  League tables are designed to ensure... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Windfarms provoke strong reactions among their detractors, some of whom see them as despoiling the landscape, others who find them noisy, and some who imagine the price of their property will tumble if a turbine is built nearby.  Those who doubt the science behind climate change tend to be particularly sceptical, as they see less... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Commission on Living Standards has called for greater equality on pay and childcare, to help thousands of women to get back into the workforce. The gap between poverty and affluence looks set to increase without measures being implemented immediately. A lack of disposable income, or people unable to work because of the childcare... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Restorative justice has faced significant criticism over both how effective it really is, and because it presents a liberal approach to crime management – at least, where it is used in place of more punitive measures, rather than on top of them. But the Ministry of Justice has presented statistics which show that its use can reduce... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new report from CIPFA highlights what has been clear for some time; the Government’s austerity programme is going ahead as planned, but the growth that was also promised is severely lacking. This will become more and more critical as the cuts continue and public tolerance is strained. How much longer can George Osborne... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Chancellor George Osborne has cited that the recent growth should be seen as a sign that the Government’s economic strategy is working. This is despite numerous calls to scrap severe austerity measures and move to ‘Plan B’. Even now the figures suggest the UK is finally out of the double-dip recession, most of the growth... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The issue of whether prisoners have the right to vote is an extremely sensitive one, which the Government have thus far indicated that they oppose in any form. But the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that a blanket ban is illegal under the Convention, and the UK must set out proposed changes to the law. For many, prisoners... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest poll suggests the public are significantly more supportive of wind power than shale gas, or nuclear power, when it comes to the ‘nimby’ issue. The results were not based on people’s belief that a certain type of energy should be promoted, or limited – but on how happy they would be to have different... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The rising cost of both rent and house prices demonstrates just how crucial finding a solution to the housing problem is becoming. The National Housing Foundation has predicted that by the time of the next general election, over a million working people will be claiming housing benefit. Building our way out of the recession is often... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has been warned over the impact of public sector cuts – which go further than ever before – and could affect the labour force in unknown ways. The Work Foundation believes that without immediate monitoring of the consequences of the cuts, the workforce could be significantly damaged. Having all the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Coalition’s child poverty advisor, Alan Milburn, has called for the Government to reinstate EMA, stating that it was a bad mistake to scrap it in the first place. The funding aimed to help poorer 16 and 17-year olds stay on in education, but was criticised for failing to target those who really needed support. Ministers have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Michael Gove’s reforms continue to sweep the education system, with A-levels the latest to be shaken up. One interesting suggestion includes requiring students to choose a ‘contrasting’ subject if their original choice covers only the arts, or just maths and sciences. The proposal aims to develop students with a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Relaxing the planning rules is not “a crime against humanity”, minister Nick Boles has stated. It might sound melodramatic, but tensions run high around the topic of planning permission. The Government firmly believes costly applications are nothing but a barrier to the bounce-back of the construction industry, whilst... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government has come under fire today for its provision for children with behavioural problems, many of whom cannot access adequate and necessary support and services. The very existence of such programmes becomes futile if they are not helping the very people who need it most. Such support represents the very cornerstone of early... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Sharing the allocation of maternity leave demonstrates a step forward for this country, recognising that in some couples it will be the woman who is the main breadwinner, and she should be supported to go back to work sooner. Anything which provides more flexibility for families, and acknowledges a less traditional model of family life... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Is swift justice sure justice? The Government certainly seems to think so, as it prepares to announce further trials into flexible criminal justice, and a speeded-up court system. There is general consensus that the current system is too slow, and this can impede the effectiveness of justice when it is finally delivered. But the move... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT New statistics from the Institute for Fiscal Studies may have burst the Welsh argument that the country does not receive enough financial support from the UK government. New research shows that compared to English areas in a similar socio-economic position, Wales has been spared the hardest public sector spending cuts. While this may... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT There are things in life you can set your watch by – and pledges to overhaul the laws on dishing out violence to burglars at Conservative party conference are one of them. The party faithful loves it, and it’s an easy way, even a clichéd way, for new justice secretary Chris Grayling to prove he’s... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The extra cuts in welfare, due to be announced today, are calculated to outline how the Conservatives can achieve their aim of balancing the budget by cutting an area of spending that many people believe could and should be reduced. But Tory insistences that the rich will have a bigger contribution is highly unlikely. Of course they... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Labour has proposed providing more incentives for bright graduates to become teachers, especially in deprived areas. Would the plan work in practice? A financial nudge such as cutting the amount of loan students incur could be a powerful motivator. Yet the logistical elements of the plan need a fair bit of tweaking and it is unclear... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Liverpool’s step forward towards responsible procurement could be held up as an example of best practice for other councils looking to buy products and services in a more sustainable way. The new policy will take social value to a new level, and ensure competition for services benefits the whole community; creating and safeguarding... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The announcement that the DfT has actually made serious errors in the bidding process for the West Coast franchise not only casts doubt on the department’s ability to judge other bids accurately, it could shake the public’s faith in Government. The scale of the error is huge: it means millions of pounds will have to be paid... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new report by the Youth Foundation not only reinforces the backlash to the Government’s insistence on competitive sport, it implies that failure to provide school children with activities and exercise they actually enjoy could lead to extreme health problems and even early death. Competitive sport has obvious benefits for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s auto-enrolment scheme could get millions more people saving for their retirement, helping to bear the costs of extended life expectancy in older age. For many, this will eliminate the effort associated with setting up payments into a pension. It will improve life for employees and help to ensure they can maintain a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT Labour has pledged to conduct a deep review of public spending if the Party is re-elected in 2015. This line by line audit of the purpose and value of the budget would allow government to make intelligent savings, without resorting to a slash and burn approach, Ed Balls stated. The Party has been seen as irresponsible with the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT A second revision to the ONS’s estimate of how much the UK economy contracted by from April to June is great news for the country, and suggests that things are not quite as bad as they seem. Although still a contraction, the lower figure could provide a much-needed boost of confidence to industry, particularly construction who has... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The influx of new free schools and academies is leaving much of the strategic management of education out of local government hands, with schools only accountable to the secretary of state. Does this necessarily mean there is a slide into centralisation? And do we need more regulation, monitoring and planning to ensure standards are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The announcement of new funding for children’s free nursery places in deprived areas will be welcomed by many families and has the potential to significantly affect these children’s life chances. Clegg is right to highlight that a child’s formative years as vital for their healthy development into a productive member of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Nick Clegg has faced a tough first day at his party conference, and has probably done himself no favours in voicing his support, or at least acceptance, that further welfare cuts are necessary. This reform has been largely unpopular, especially amongst party supporters. Clegg’s pledge to keep fighting for more of tax burden to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has taken a gamble on voters’ capacity for forgiveness, hoping that a public apology over the party’s failure to uphold a pledge on tuition fees will improve trust and belief in the Liberal Democrats. It is a risky move, and not just because politicians are generally averse to ever using the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Young people have been the group most severely affected by the economic downturn, with unemployment in other age groups less severe than the scale of the recession would usually suggest. The Government has put serious time, effort and money to doing something about it: not least because the cost to the state of so many unemployed... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new qualification to be known as the Ebacc seeks to do away with coursework, separate ‘pick and mix’ modules, and end competition between multiple exam boards. It is not quite the reform that was expected following leaks of a two-tier system that was heavily criticised by teaching unions and education professionals... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Whilst most people are in agreement that people on benefits should be encouraged to learn to budget and adjust to a payment cycle which is more similar to the working world, there are significant concerns about the Government’s ability to deliver this, and the impact this will have on claimants. People will undoubtedly need more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new £2m fund for London Metropolitan students will provide “certainty” at a stressful time, according to universities minister David Willetts. Some 2,600 students are facing deportation, unless they can find new courses to provide visas and allow them to stay in the country. The money raised, not to mention the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Policy Exchange has suggested there is “no shortage of land” on which to build more housing, and has called for a revamp of our planning system. With the demand for new homes rising and the ‘relaxation’ of regulation to boost development, perhaps this is the new direction for planning. But was it ever just a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT All-round good (un)employment news today, it has to be said. It has been a real feature of this economic downturn that unemployment has remained lower than the other indicators and statistics suggest it probably should be. In saying that, more than a million people are avoiding worklessness by working part-time, when they really want... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The growth fund that was set to snowball into “hundreds of thousands” of jobs has so far fallen significantly short of expectations. The PAC has called it “scandalous” that more is not being done to use the £1.4bn allocated to provide and protect jobs. Such circumstances reiterate the fact that money... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government is preparing to relax a swathe of regulations to remove ‘unnecessary burdens’ and promote growth. One consequence will be that ‘low risk’ businesses will no longer be subject to regular health and safety inspections. While this could release certain restraints on business and development, it is key... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The debate over relaxing planning laws this week highlights a fundamental divide in the way that national and local government see development. For national government, development is a potential route to growth, therefore any barriers to more of it should be stripped away – whether this involves local objections to inappropriate... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Is it the planning rules that are holding back much-needed development? The Prime Minister is to announce a raft of new measures intended to drive investment and boost construction. And some of the proposals to achieve this include removing the requirement for developers to include affordable housing in their investment. This is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Now the dust from the Cabinet reshuffle is settling, critics and commentators alike have leapt onto the areas for potential policy clashes. Most noticeably of all are the arguments over Heathrow, borne over Cameron’s decision to move Justine Greening from her post as transport secretary after only ten months. Her vehement... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT As the Cabinet gets mixed up today, perhaps what is most noticeable is the people who are remaining in their roles. It was meant to be ‘wide-ranging’, but the key senior figures – Osborne, Duncan-Smith and Gove – are all expected to stay where they are. Of course, there is also much discussion over the impact... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT Osborne’s announcements concerning infrastructure investment have contained a mixture of old news and shock concessions. Underwriting investment into private sector construction was dismissed by Labour as presenting “no new ideas”. But encouraging development on Green Belt land will be received sharply by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT The change in law over squatting has been met with significant concern by homeless charities, who say the move will put vulnerable people at further risk. And it could be argued that the Government is treating symptoms rather than the root causes behind this issue. If we could adequately support homeless people and provide them with... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT IT represents a significant proportion of Government’s spend and poor management in these projects can have a considerable effect on the total efficiency of the public sector. Audit Scotland has expressed criticism over the handling of three projects in Scotland, specifically highlighting a lack of specialist knowledge and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Clegg has been lambasted today for his calls for greater tax on the wealthy in a time of recession. Of course it is a pleasing sound bite, well timed ahead of his party’s conference in September. And the fact that the proposal is a bit thin on details, or discussion with other party colleagues ahead of the announcement, suggests... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Overcrowding in prisons makes it more difficult to work effectively with prisoners to avoid reoffending, thereby reinforcing the cycle of crime.  The Prison Reform Trust has called for more community sentences to curb this problem and allow prisoners a decent standard of accommodation.  Filling up our jails to their limit... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A pilot seeking to standardise police practices concerning examination of technology used by criminals has proved remarkably successful, and is to be rolled out across all forces. Instead of using a variety of different measures to determine priority for assessment, a single approach has increased the number of devices examined, leading... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The debate around the housing conundrum – rent vs. buy – has been brought to a head today, as the Government publishes a new report calling for less strict regulation on affordable housing in an attempt to kickstart development in the rental sector. Providing more housing full stop is A Good Thing; the industry is in agreement... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT It seems the Government is finally heeding the barrage of calls for a focus on growth, with a series of measures to boost the economy expected in September. July’s surprise rise in borrowing was for many the final straw, as the Institute of Directors has indicated with its criticism today. A flexible approach to the economy may... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The programme to develop low-carbon vehicles for road haulage operators will come as a welcome change from the clogged network of lorries spewing out emissions. The highest amount of journeys for commercial goods take place on our roads, and yet little has been done to mitigate the grave environmental consequences of doing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Even social housing tenants agree that council houses should not be more expensive than the average for that area, Policy Exchange has reported. The idea that these houses could be sold once vacated and the money used to fund more houses would cut the waiting list dramatically, as well as providing more jobs in construction. It is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The GMB’s new analysis, which attempts to use population growth as a stick by which to poke government into action, asks for too much, with too little detail on the particulars of how its wish list could be achieved. More housing, recreation facilities, health services, social care, transport, utilities and schools are listed as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT With many councils facing very stark decisions on which services they can continue to provide, reports of savings and business improvements offer a glimmer of hope.  If shared services can cut costs but still boost productivity, local government can afford to deliver vital facilities.  It is this kind of innovation that can... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT A FTSE 100 company is to directly provide for-profit higher education in the UK for the first time.  This move by Pearson represents another private sector advance into providing previously public services.  Once the door has been opened, it is easy to envisage many other companies joining Pearson in providing degree... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT With public confidence in the Coalition dropping, Cameron has attempted to secure the legacy of the Olympic Games by making competitive sport compulsory in schools.  The political ping-ponging over PE policy does not reflect the most thought-through of decisions, but at least some requirements will be back in place for school... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cameron’s latest defence for scrapping requirements for schools to teach two hours of sport per week is that schools were ‘misusing’ the time and funding to offer classes such as “Indian dance”.  The Prime Minister obviously considers this a poor substitute to more competitive sports.  I have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s efficiency drive has been so far achieved some considerable savings, but even Francis Maude has admitted that it needs to go further.  For reform to be truly effective, it must take place throughout government, with all departments taking steps to remove surplus costs in a range of different areas. Labour... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT It is an interesting idea the RSA has proposed, to train members of the public to tackle low-level crime, although practical implementation of the scheme looks unlikely.  The police barely have enough resources to protect their own frontline, with no extra staff able to deliver training sessions.  But if it could be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Yesterday’s tit-for-tat breakdown in Coalition relations will not be the end of the Tory-Lib Dem alliance – but it surely makes the idea of this Government lasting all the way through to May 2015 all the less likely.  This Government has already had its fair share of rebellions and problematic votes, and that will only... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT One year on from the riots, it’s a pertinent time to look back on what happened, why, and most importantly, how we can stop it from happening again. Multiple reports have covered the various factors involved, highlighted what more the police could have done, and given a demographic breakdown of those who were involved in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new courses to be piloted in prisons across the country could significantly increase the life chances of those prisoners who have access to the lessons, as well as cutting reoffending rates.  Education is a brilliant way to help offenders build a better life for themselves; saving the state huge amounts of money, reducing crime... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT Further changes to public sector pensions have been announced today, as the MoD publishes proposals for reform. The pension age for military personnel will soon rise from 55 to 60, as part of the wider move to cut the costs of pensions. However, unlike the case with the health service, there is less concern of people working longer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT There has been a mixed review of the Government’s ‘transparency agenda’ from the Public Accounts Committee. The committee’s report finds much to praise, like specific data releases such as crime maps. Naturally, there was also a lot of room for improvement too. One big issue was the costing of data releases. The... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT This is the debate raised by the Lords communications committee, as they suggest wider access to the internet should come before higher broadband speeds. So should those who already have good access benefit from the fastest possible connections, to boost growth and productivity in these areas? Or is it more important to make sure as many... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Cap scheme, expected to be rolled out this autumn, has been criticised by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion for “forcing” over a million benefit claimants into working for free for six months. Granted, this is an exceptionally long time to be working unpaid. But for people who have been searching and failing to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Competitions such as the Technology Strategy Board’s ‘FutureCity’ demonstrator provide an innovative way for cities to put integration into practice, with a whole host of potential benefits to be realised. It is the practical aspect of this competition which marks it out; with councils encouraged to try out their ideas... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT University fees are still rising, with all institutions planning to charge tuition over the basic level of £6,000 a year. The news mocks ministers’ earlier promises that fees of £9,000 would be an exception. Three-quarters of universities will charge that amount in 2013 for some, or all of their courses. And... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest GDP figures have come as a shock to analysts, politicians and commentators alike. It gives more ammunition to opponents of Osborne’s fiscal strategy, and raises the question of how much longer and how much lower can this recession extend before Government admit that the plan is simply not working. Sliding further... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Life satisfaction is significantly affected by employment and owning property, statistics from the ONS suggest. This makes sense, as both these factors incur a level of security which is essential to overall wellbeing. It will be a combination of various factors that contribute to the nation’s happiness, and it is interesting to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Councils must take a firmer grasp of their finances it seems, as local authorities in Wales write off millions of pounds of debt and half of English councils are clueless about the companies they contract for procurement. Greater awareness of the size and location of businesses providing goods and services to local authorities would allow... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The news that some companies are providing wake-up calls and lifts to interviews to the NEETs they are trying to get back into work demonstrates just how bad the situation is for disillusioned young people. But the spoon-feeding approach seems to be the wrong way to transform these people’s lives. Providing such a level of support... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The announcement that tolls will be used to fund an extended stretch of the A14 will be received with anger. Many motorists had counted on David Cameron’s pledge that tolls would only be used on new routes, not existing roads. But at least the non-driving taxpayer should be happy; why should they fully fund a piece of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Louise Casey’s new report demonstrates the somewhat obvious truth that troubled families have often been troubled for generations, with an assortment of abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy and violence behind their problems. However, it is clear that past efforts to turn these lives around have failed, with many families being... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT As chief executive of G4S Nick Buckles faces the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee today, a lot of questions are going to centre on just how a globally respected security firm could fail so spectacularly working on the most nationally publicised event of the decade. Buckles’ fear that he will lose his job seems to be ever closer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Reform of the academic publishing system in the UK could have serious implications for the future of scientific research. Some of these will be positive, such as much wider access to research, which could encourage greater collaboration and sharing of learning, leading to faster innovation. There is also the moral point that the taxpayer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Many parts of the new white paper for criminal justice should be welcomed, with a greater emphasis on using technology to protect witnesses and victims and to increase efficiency within the system. Faster resolution of cases would also be beneficial for all those involved, but as critics have pointed out, this will not come cheap, nor... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The new report from the Centre for Cities has demonstrated the true value of investment in skills and training for citizens. The consequences of a highly skilled workforce extends far beyond the immediate future that most politicians keep their focus on: it can affect the economic progress of a city for the next hundred... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Has reform for the House of Lords been truly halted? The second reading of the Bill has been voted through, in the face of a sizeable Conservative rebellion, but without the programme motion to limit the length of the debate. As well as being a blow for those in support of reform and a mostly-elected upper chamber, this defeat could have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Labour states that it is only the Government’s timetable for the debate on reform for the House of Lords that they oppose, not the reform itself. Yet if the programme motion is defeated, there will be no structured timetable for the debate, leaving it open for Tory backbenchers to talk and talk, delaying the bill for as long as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT It is worrying to see that the overall downwards trend in the number of fatal injuries at work seems to have stalled. It demonstrates that there is not yet sufficient understanding of the issues that surround worker fatality and the action that can be taken to prevent this from happening. Every incident less than the previous year should... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Despite sustained anger and criticism of PFI schemes, it has emerged that the Coalition Government is continuing to agree new deals on a very widespread basis. Both Tories and the Lib Dems have denounced Labour for the party’s extensive use of the schemes whilst in office. Osborne even pledged that the Conservatives would not use... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT The UK’s changing demography is going to significantly affect public services and it is high time policy and strategy was developed to address this challenge. But the Lords Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change has made a fairly radical suggestion, which is worth further consideration – what if our ageing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT It’s hard to see the point of November’s inaugural elections of Police & Crime Commissioners in England and Wales, with all the indicators being that the winners will be elected based on their party’s popularity in a region, on a dismal turnout. Falklands war veteran Simon Weston, who was standing inSouth Walesas an... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Living in the information age, citizens of the UK are inundated with data. We leave our digital footprints all over the web; a trail of applications, purchases and social networking. And advertisers have been quick to jump on this readily available information and use it to their advantage, targeting their products to the most receptive... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cutting the front line of the police is not only harming forces’ morale and affecting citizens’ safety, it could damage their ability to respond effectively to future riots – disturbances which are likely to be repeated, officers suggest. And despite all the talk of new water cannon and technology to monitor social media... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Would a more rigorous approach to English education help children attain higher standards of literacy? The new proposals for a focus on grammar in primary schools have been criticised for curtailing teacher’s ability to determine the best way to teach, as well as for potentially boring students. It is evident that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Much criticism and no detectable praise for the Government at the LGA conference yesterday when it comes to business rates and localism. Most were aggrieved at the extent to which central Government is determined to keep its hands on as much of the cash, and therefore the power, as possible, in complete contrast to earlier ministerial... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Will reducing the amount of time young people have to be unemployed before they are eligible for receiving help from the Government make a significant difference to total employment? Of course it is better to get people into work as early as possible, to avoid later problems. And with youth unemployment reaching such high levels, this... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Treasured council services could be completely eradicated by 2020, the LGA has warned, if extra funding is not found fast – or unless social care funding can be radically overhauled. But the fact that our current practice and policy is not suitable for provision of services eight years into the future should come as no surprise.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Most reform brings in new ideas and tries innovations that have never been tried before. Gove’s latest plans to bring back O-Level style exams and a separate, “more straightforward” version for the less academically inclined are thus a curious move. It is hard to see how this could benefit pupils. More intelligent pupils... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Civitas report on social mobility makes for fascinating reading; is the prevailing image of a ‘closed class’ Britain really just a misconception, misrepresented by politicians with agendas? Peter Saunders suggests that ability trumps class as a predictor for future social mobility. Whilst it is no doubt true that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest employment figures reveal a mixed picture, with total unemployment down, but longer-term unemployment increasing and a vast difference between employment prospects for men and women. Yet with the public sector struggling to recruit skilled candidates to top posts, there seems to be a skills shortage in the face of mass... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s approach to youth unemployment has so far been insufficient and fragmented, The Work Foundation has asserted. This must be given priority as the opportunities available to young people will determine the economic future of the country. The longer young people remain in unemployment, the more difficult it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Unions have slated new plans to stop adding top up working tax credits to those who strike, claiming it will deter them from being able to fight for justice. But the change would mean the extra benefits would not take into account lower income that was ‘self-imposed’. Should the system make it easy for people to strike?... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Increasing driving fines could cut costs and improve drivers’ competence, Government proposals suggest. Is the current fixed penalty notice fine too low to provide a significant deterrent to motorists? And if it is, will an increase of £30 be enough to change their behaviour? Either way, it will provide the Government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Meeting targets and reducing poverty loses accuracy and credibility as soon as the limits begin to move. Redefining poverty means that the statistics can be manipulated in a number of ways, meaning the representation of what was once fact loses its objectivity. For such important measures as child poverty, the level at which this is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT The whole point of consultation is that is allows relevant parties to give adequate consideration to a set of proposals, and then to take this into account when developing the plans in question. The NAO has suggested that central government must approach consultation as if it means it in order to achieve the best results when designing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT With more and more people living in cities, and this number set to significantly increase in the future, innovation and integration must be encouraged to improve the economy, quality of life and reduce the impact on the environment. Creating a competition to foster creativity and best practice in this area is therefore a necessary... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Compulsory foreign language learning for primary school children is a wonderful proposal, and would significantly benefit the children who receive this teaching. For too long, people have relied on the good level of English in foreign countries to bother making the effort to learn any other language. Starting language learning at a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT David Cameron has a reputation for loyalty to his ministers when it comes to perceived wrongdoing, rather than rushing to fire them at the first signs of media difficulty, as has sometimes been the case in the past. Lady Warsi, co-chair of the Tory party, is certainly experiencing such difficulties – first it was her expenses, now... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cutting fraud in the public sector is incredibly important, especially in this climate. Identifying and understand where and how fraud is taking place can allow the majority of these costs to be recovered and some of the damage to the economy repaired. Additionally auditing for cases of overpayment can highlight errors which can and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Social mobility starts with a level playing field, according to Alan Milburn. Professions such as politics and medicine have traditionally ‘recruited’ from a certain social class, leaving those from poorer backgrounds at a disadvantage. Improving education for all will help to combat this, as will these professions... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Will Queen’s Park parish council deliver better, more localised, services for its residents? Campaigners have been pushing for the creation of a community council since the beginning of 2011. The idea that local decisions should be taken by local people assumes they will be best placed to understand the individual complications and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Relocating residents to housing so far away from their temporary homes was never going to be a great idea if you consider the personal aspect of the move. While this may be a cheaper option, living in one area tends to be accompanied by the creation of various roots to that place. Being close to friends, family, a local school, are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Allocation of funding from the Priority School Building Programme has been announced, with many schools missing out on infrastructure improvements. A replacement for Labour’s Building Schools for the Future scheme, the new programme has only as fraction of the capital and far more modest aims when it comes to rebuilding crumbling... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Businesses have long been complaining that graduates and new recruits have the wrong skills for employment, which has led to skills shortages despite mass unemployment. This is one problem that has an obvious solution; if these young people were trained in the right skills, they could fill the posts available in the workplace, to their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Universal Credit aims to replace a number of different benefits in one simple swoop, clarifying the process of claiming and making the system fair for those that fund it. Unfortunately, regardless of how streamlined UC is, the transition will still be complicated. Transferring existing claimants and taking up new ones, through trials and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The changing requirements of the workplace have not been matched with the education system adapting to meet this demand, new research suggests. Many employers criticise young people for their failure to gain work experience as well as their lack of relevant skills, despite this experience often being necessary to gain work... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cutting the number of local authorities in Scotland, to form a smaller number of more powerful councils, could encourage the Scottish Government to further devolve powers and financial control, according to a think tank report. But it could also overburden councils with transformation and disruption when they are already struggling to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Cutting restrictions and environmental ‘red tape’ to promote business growth ignores the fact that those protections were put in place for a reason. One of those reasons is ensuring a future in which businesses can prosper, rather than one in which local communities and the planet’s climate are wrecked by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT CloudStore was meant to make it easier and cheaper for the public sector to purchase services at Government standard. Unfortunately, many IT staff remain confused, concerned about security and unconvinced. It is still early days for the new app store, but obviously further work is needed to raise awareness and dispel fears... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ed Miliband feels more confident in asserting his leadership, following good local election results, rising poll numbers for him personally, and the tailing off of criticisms of him from unhappy party members. But his ‘reshuffle’ was still only quite a minor affair. Is this a sign of his overall happiness with his shadow... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT As Nick Clegg seems to ‘soften’ his stance on regional pay, suggesting a decision has not been made, and proposals would not exacerbate a north-south divide, he chided unions for scaremongering over an idea which was simply being considered. But unions know well how quickly consideration can turn into policy and realise the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT If the pupil premium is to effectively close the gap between disadvantaged and more well-off students, will ministers really be able to leave the decisions to schools and teachers as they say they will? The money is not ringfenced, meaning schools can spend it however they think best to raise standards for poor pupils, and the Government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s jobs fund has been criticised for failing to prioritise value for money, and warned of the cost this could present to taxpayers. If more effective controls were in place to ensure funding went to companies that provided a large number of jobs for the money invested, greater value for money could be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT New organisational structure can disrupt services, especially if they come at critical periods of demand. The queues at Heathrow have been attributed to such changes, with new working practices leading to poor deployment of staff. Whilst different ways of working can significantly improve efficiency and deliver savings at a time when... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Queen’s Speech, in the Labour years, was always packed with proposed legislation, and many traditionalists disliked the way the speech, written by the Government, put New Labour jargon in the monarch’s mouth. The Conservatives and Lib Dems always said Labour made too many laws, and too many bad laws, and are also faced... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT A return to the contributory principle for social security sounds like a good idea – but in ‘solving’ one problem, isn’t it in danger of creating a much bigger one? The TUC discussion pamphlet says universal benefits based on helping those who pay in will be a good way of reinvigorating public support for social... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Offering prisoners a chance to gain work experience or training is the most effective way of reducing the rate of re-offending, whilst adding to the country’s productive workforce. Understandably, many companies may be unwilling to offer this opportunity, especially at a time when there are so many highly skilled applicants without... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should better teachers receive higher pay? According to the NUT, this could create a divide, leading teachers to leave challenging schools in order to reap the rewards of a class with better performance. Yet MPs suggest that bad teachers can significantly impact on a class, and should not be allowed to ‘hide’ behind fixed... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Is the new mutual launched byWhitehalla first step towards more efficient working, savings for the public sector and a successful business model? Or is it, as union leaders suggest, privatisation by another name? The Government is exploring new and different ways to drive productivity whilst cutting costs and this approach could see... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT New figures suggest that only 44% of state school teachers encourage bright pupils to apply for Oxford and Cambridge. Aside from the fact that there are many other avenues to success than through those shining halls, this should not be seen as an example of segregation based on economic standing. For one thing, they are two of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Data breaches are more common in the public sector, it has been suggested, with hefty fines for poor security. This could be down to the handling of sensitive information on service users, such as in the health and social care services. But it is concerning that the number of breaches is so high, especially when they are often down to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The sudden changes in environment, especially in the south west, demonstrate the need for robust planning and preparation to guard against the damage that both drought and flooding can inflict. Councils must ensure emergency plans are in place, and that these are communicated effectively to all those affected. While the wet weather... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Oxfam’s new Humankind Index offers an ‘improved’ measure of wellbeing, compared to traditional measures of GDP. But are these measures radically different and better than Cameron’s ‘happiness agenda’? There are so many different ways to measure quality of life, and without a standard definition for what... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The need to ensure there is enough money to deal with unexpected issues, and the need to reduce costs by eliminating ‘optimum bias’; two important considerations, both pulling in opposite directions. Savings in infrastructure spending have been achieved by removing money put aside for potential cost overruns, whilst government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The House of Lords is one of those irritating things that is offensive to almost all modern notions of democracy and meritocracy, but that actually does its allocated job quite well. Expert scrutiny of legislation, a check on an over-powerful Commons and executive, professionals who’ve come from worlds outside full-time politics... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Most people agree that cycling is beneficial to individual cyclists, and to society more widely – it cuts congestion, makes people healthier, saves money, and so on. But ours is still not a country whose towns and cities have cyclists in mind. With some notable exceptions, the motorist still rules, and the worrying number of cyclist... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Ensuring the Green Deal remains a voluntary scheme is a staggering defeat for energy savings and does nothing to convince the public this is the ‘greenest government ever’. Requiring homeowners to offset extensions and home improvements by increasing their energy efficiency would have limited the damage such work can create... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Metal crime has reached epidemic proportions across the UK. An estimated 15,000 tonnes of metal was stolen last year, much of it from railways, public buildings like schools and hospitals and places of worship. The problem is believed to cost the British economy £700m a year – and it is getting worse – not least because of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT Government plans to impose caps on tax-free income to prevent the wealthy from paying less than low-earners have been strongly opposed by charities that may miss out on donations if this goes ahead. Limiting the level of donations would impact negatively on the vulnerable parts of society such charities exist to support. Yet allowing the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT With the IMF’s warning that there is a bombshell to come in terms of pensions, this may support the Government’s argument for the need to reform pension schemes in the public sector. If governments are underestimating the impact the ageing population will have, this burden will fall on future taxpayers as the country struggles... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT So the Big Society is finally here; Cameron has launched a new fund and some tangible criteria for what it should be used for. Long criticised for being too vague and aspirational rather than pragmatic, the Big Society idea may actually begin to be implemented. However, even with the specifics of helping charities to bid for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT If the Scottish Government is to identify identical responses to its referendum consultation in its external analysis, then why would it allow multiple anonymous responses to be made in the first place? Furthermore, making responses anonymous seems to be placing the process in unnecessary jeopardy. This is not such a sensitive issue... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The National Trust’s new report highlights the importance of nature to children’s development intellectually and physically. Modern day concerns with safety and an emphasis on technology rather than time spent outside mean thatUKchildren spend far more time indoors than previous generations, to their detriment. Playing in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Raising public awareness ahead of a significant change can be beneficial, as it encourages engagement and participation, as well as answering potential queries or confusion in good time. But the elections for Police and Crime Commissioners do not take place until November. Eight months may be considered an overly long period of awareness... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The causes of the riots are varied and deep-rooted, as the new report on these issues suggests. Yet some of the ‘recommendations’ they suggest do not address the real problems that families involved in the riots regularly face. It is too easy to place the blame on parents, or the police, yet this is overly simplistic and a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The revised planning framework is expected to restate its presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’; which has yet to be defined. Environmental campaigners will see some protection for areas of outstanding natural beauty, yet whether this will be enough to placate the substantial opposition to an automatic... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The battle in the courts to prevent the Government from implementing cuts to feed-in tariffs has demonstrated more than just the importance of supporting the growth of solar power. It shows that despite in many cases seeming omnipotent in its decisions, the Government can make serious mistakes, and it can be prevented from attempting to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Members of the Police Federation are currently being balloted on whether they feel they want the right to strike. Whether legislation will follow their decision is another story altogether. It is surprising in some ways that the current system prevents the police from taking industrial action. Of course they are necessary members of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Members of the Police Federation are currently being balloted on whether they feel they want the right to strike. Whether legislation will follow their decision is another story altogether. It is surprising in some ways that the current system prevents the police from taking industrial action. Of course they are necessary members of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The UK’s stubborn monolingualism is limiting opportunities for its citizens, in terms of academic progression, cultural experience and wider values of tolerance and understanding. Our so far half-hearted efforts at teaching children foreign languages simply add to the conception that this is both unnecessary and unachievable for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should the country’s highest earners be given a cut in the rate of income tax that they pay? This is what Chancellor George Osborne is set to announce, as a means of encouraging enterprise and growth, he says. The 50p rate was only introduced as a temporary measure, so in one way it is a move that should not be unexpected But... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT At a time when budgets are being squeezed and cut, allowing fines to go uncollected seems like a poor way to manage finance. The Ministry of Justice has unclaimed fines and confiscation orders worth £2bn – surely spending more time and effort reclaiming this money is a necessary part of their remit. But if the cost of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Home Office has been criticised for the decision to rule out posting details about police commissioner elections to households, leaving people to seek out the information for themselves online instead. According to the Electoral Commission, seven million people could be disadvantaged through this decision, as they do not have access... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT It seems as if the police cannot win, whichever way they turn. Following the summer riots, there was significant criticism against the police for failure to act with enough force and assertive tactics. But the stereotype of police also suggests that they are a violent bunch, with a tendency to overreact and enforce overzealous measures.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The line between pressuring councils to make savings and maintaining the right level of service, thus preventing costs as a consequence, is a difficult one to manage. The Government has come under fire on this issue today, with the Public Accounts Committee arguing that cutting road maintenance budgets will lead to further costs in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The final, final proposals for public sector pensions have now been published. Union executives can take the plans back to their members for consideration, before they are – at least partly – rejected and returned to Government. With neither party allowing much room for negotiation, these proposals are largely the same as the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Public Accounts Committee into the costs of the Olympics has some worrying headline claims, threatening to reignite the widespread cynicism from a few years ago that the whole thing would be an expensive shambles. Those grumblings have faded more recently as things seemed to go according to plan – to time and to (an admittedly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT More nuclear power sites are being planned, in spite of flooding risk and the probabilities of coastal erosion that Defra analysis has revealed. It is true that many of these problems are many years in future, but implementing new plants in areas of high risk completely disregards this warning and simply passes the responsibility to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government’s attempts to implement shared services and save money may be less successful than expected, according to NAO. Initial investment costs were always going to be high, but so far, the promised savings are still some way off. The centres may even need further restructuring to eliminate some of their current... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Two very different public sector news stories today both emphasise the need for incentives. In one case, employers will be paid to employ ex-offenders, and keep them in work – helping reduce both reoffending and the welfare bill at the same time, ministers hope. In the other case, councils are getting paid for improving... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The rise in public service contracts being opened to bids from private sector companies is inviting the possibility of huge efficiency savings, but also the fear of public services being mishandled. We report today on the proposals to privatise some police roles, for example, and also the effective privatisation of the Audit... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT Too often, public sector employees can pass responsibility for trust upwards, placing all their blame on senior leader’s shoulders. New research demonstrates what is essentially an intuitive truth: an organisation’s success, and the quality of trust and relationships that allow businesses to ride out the rocky times, depend on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission has been criticised for its lack of alternative means to improve efficiency and reduce spending. If its original plan – which is risky, and reliant on uncertain estimates, according to the NAO – fails, then there is no form of back-up to salvage its cost-saving plan. With... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT A new group suggests that the best way forward for Scotland is devo plus, with more responsibility and control of finances, but short of complete independence from the UK. There are many benefits to remaining a significant part of theUK, andScotlandmay be wise not to throw these away without a second thought. Devo plus could satisfy... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT With flooding risk set to rise due to climate change, insurance for homes in certain areas will only become more vital, not something that can be eliminated. The Flood Insurance Statement of Principles should be renewed to ensure continued protection for those residents at risk. To meet the challenge of potential flooding, more must... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Could enforcing plain packaging on cigarettes really dissuade the thousands of children who start smoking every year in theUK? Cancer Research UK believes so and is petitioning for the change. Certainly, it can’t make people more likely to smoke, but there are other factors involved with the decision to take up smoking, and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Deputy Prime Minister’s plan to launch a scheme aimed at getting Neet teenagers into work may be a positive step for those 55,000 16 and 17 year olds it is targeting, but it seems that the plan is flawed – what about the rest of the 16 to 24 year olds out of work, education and training? The most recent figures show that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Employing agency staff to fill positions that have just been cut in the civil service seems an extreme example of the Government creating more problems than it solves. If there are necessary roles inWhitehall, then these should not be cut. This is not efficiency; this is overly stringent measures which end up costing more than they... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT University recruitment soared last year as students tried to get in before the tuition fee rises set to come into effect this autumn. This has led to a monumental fine for one university, which did not revise its system in the face of such a surge in demand. Limits are necessary on the number of students each university can take on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The latest ONS statistics demonstrate the need to reform pensions and raise the age of retirement as life expectancy rapidly increases. There needs to be enough people of working age to support such a quickly ageing population, and equally there should be still enough years left for people to enjoy their health during retirement. A... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Evidence on the benefits the FOI Act has brought is mixed, and there are several concerns relating to the lack of public engagement in governance, the cost and time needed to reply to each request and its failure to improve authorities' decision making processes. Campaigners are opposing any changes to the Act, claiming that it allows the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Evidence on the benefits the FOI Act has brought is mixed, and there are several concerns relating to the lack of public engagement in governance, the cost and time needed to reply to each request and its failure to improve authorities’ decision making processes. Campaigners are opposing any changes to the Act, claiming that it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The figures that the TUC has suggested constitute the ‘real’ scale of unemployment include people who are unemployed and have not actively searched for work in the past six weeks, alongside those employed part-time or on temporary contracts and wanting more permanent work. While there are many possible scenarios where these... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT The figures that the TUC has suggested constitute the 'real' scale of unemployment include people who are unemployed and have not actively searched for work in the past six weeks, alongside those employed part-time or on temporary contracts and wanting more permanent work. While there are many possible scenarios where these people really... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Controversy surrounding public sector bonuses continues to grow, with a Coalition ordered review of the payouts, to ensure publicly-owned companies and government departments are paying out rewards based only on success. Although there have been high-profile cases of executives giving up their bonuses, this only scrapes the surface of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Controversy surrounding public sector bonuses continues to grow, with a Coalition ordered review of the payouts, to ensure publicly-owned companies and government departments are paying out rewards based only on success. Although there have been high-profile cases of executives giving up their bonuses, this only scrapes the surface of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT New trials have shown that nudge theory is actually having a significant impact on the public, as councils save thousands of pounds by securing a higher and more accurate return rate on tax claims. Although this will not work in all areas of cost and non-compliance, it does demonstrate that such simple, small changes which recognise... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT New trials have shown that nudge theory is actually having a significant impact on the public, as councils save thousands of pounds by securing a higher and more accurate return rate on tax claims. Although this will not work in all areas of cost and non-compliance, it does demonstrate that such simple, small changes which recognise... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Following the recent pattern of decentralisation, Liverpool has become the first city to sign a deal with Government to devolve powers, create a new investment fund and enterprise zone, as well as schemes concerning welfare and schools. The initiative is based on the premise that city councils will have a clearer understanding of their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Following the recent pattern of decentralisation, Liverpool has become the first city to sign a deal with Government to devolve powers, create a new investment fund and enterprise zone, as well as schemes concerning welfare and schools. The initiative is based on the premise that city councils will have a clearer understanding of their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT As the second phase of consultation for the nation’s wellbeing closes, the Office for National Statistics is set to review the feedback in order to positively influence future policy. The growing recognition that measures other than economic achievement can significantly influence people’s lives means that quality of life... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT As the second phase of consultation for the nation's wellbeing closes, the Office for National Statistics is set to review the feedback in order to positively influence future policy. The growing recognition that measures other than economic achievement can significantly influence people's lives means that quality of life, societal and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should renewable energy sources be a priority at a time when the technology and set-up costs are significantly higher than that of continuing to depend on fossil fuels? Conservative MPs – many of whom never really signed up to David Cameron’s greener agenda in the years leading up to the 2010 election as he sought to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should renewable energy sources be a priority at a time when the technology and set-up costs are significantly higher than that of continuing to depend on fossil fuels? Conservative MPs – many of whom never really signed up to David Cameron's greener agenda in the years leading up to the 2010 election as he sought to 'detoxify' the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Providing staff with motivation to get involved with volunteer work is a great way to improve the community, as well as benefitting the staff with new skills. Voluntary can be a highly rewarding and beneficial exercise, and with cuts across the public sector, is becoming more and more important for keeping vital services afloat. But... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Recent Government proposals could see an overhaul of building regulations meaning that adding construction to individual homes would require homeowners to abide by environmental restrictions. Ensuring all new renovations undertake energy efficiency improvements would allow a huge number of properties to take up the Green Deal, leading to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Recent Government proposals could see an overhaul of building regulations meaning that adding construction to individual homes would require homeowners to abide by environmental restrictions. Ensuring all new renovations undertake energy efficiency improvements would allow a huge number of properties to take up the Green Deal, leading to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Clarity is an essential element of allocating funding to local authorities. If they are not confident about how the money may be spent, they could be reluctant to act, in case of painful financial repercussions in the future. This can sometimes lead to huge underspends, as seen today with the money meant for families struggling with rent... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Clarity is an essential element of allocating funding to local authorities. If they are not confident about how the money may be spent, they could be reluctant to act, in case of painful financial repercussions in the future. This can sometimes lead to huge underspends, as seen today with the money meant for families struggling with rent... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT With the majority of new free schools opening next week, pupils can look forward to shorter summers, longer days and a fiercely strict approach to learning, it seems. One school's leader has stated that children who do not make enough progress each day will have to stay behind later in the day. This seems unnecessarily harsh, and may... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT Flooding is a major concern for the millions of people whose homes are at risk, whilst the Government seems to be dodging responsibility, cutting funding and potentially allowing its agreement with the insurance industry to run out. Climate change means that the risk of flooding is growing and the predicted damage it will cause in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Flooding is a major concern for the millions of people whose homes are at risk, whilst the Government seems to be dodging responsibility, cutting funding and potentially allowing its agreement with the insurance industry to run out. Climate change means that the risk of flooding is growing and the predicted damage it will cause in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT As the new NAO report into police mobile devices suggests, having the latest technology does not always translate into cashable savings and vast increases in efficiencies. Spending millions on shiny new mobile devices has not significantly helped the police forces who received them. This could be due to the lack of management and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT As the new NAO report into police mobile devices suggests, having the latest technology does not always translate into cashable savings and vast increases in efficiencies. Spending millions on shiny new mobile devices has not significantly helped the police forces who received them. This could be due to the lack of management and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT ‘Insufficient’ progress on broadband plans in three areas of England could jeopardise the Government’s larger strategy to provide superfast broadband in 90% of the country. In an information age, life without the internet can be hard to remember for the majority of the population. Yet pockets of the country remain... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT 'Insufficient' progress on broadband plans in three areas of England could jeopardise the Government's larger strategy to provide superfast broadband in 90% of the country. In an information age, life without the internet can be hard to remember for the majority of the population. Yet pockets of the country remain restricted by poor... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Since the Climate Change Risk Assessment report is from a baseline, assuming we make no adaptations for the future, it somewhat lessens the effect of highlighting the negative consequences. Although this method of presentation shows higher risks, these can be more easily discounted by some who do need to change their behaviour but can... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Since the Climate Change Risk Assessment report is from a baseline, assuming we make no adaptations for the future, it somewhat lessens the effect of highlighting the negative consequences. Although this method of presentation shows higher risks, these can be more easily discounted by some who do need to change their behaviour but can... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT There will be further confusion for residents with solar panels on their houses, as the Government plans to cut tariffs have been overturned by a High Court ruling. The tariffs could remain the same until March now, when the cuts could go ahead For the sake of saving costs by offering the reduced tariff from December 12, eleven days... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT There will be further confusion for residents with solar panels on their houses, as the Government plans to cut tariffs have been overturned by a High Court ruling. The tariffs could remain the same until March now, when the cuts could go ahead. For the sake of saving costs by offering the reduced tariff from December 12, eleven days... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT There will always be risks involved in large scale changes, and the ability to measure the success of such projects can only be implemented after the change has been made; and in some cases a lot of money spent. The Work Programme may be an expensive overhaul, but it is set to streamline the process and help more people into work.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT There will always be risks involved in large scale changes, and the ability to measure the success of such projects can only be implemented after the change has been made; and in some cases a lot of money spent. The Work Programme may be an expensive overhaul, but it is set to streamline the process and help more people into work.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Centre for Cities report this morning showing the gap is widening between our best and worst performing cities reiterates evidence coming from other quarters, including research by the Work Foundation, that shows how difficult it can be for some urban areas to encourage growth and prosperity. It is disconcerting to see the top few... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Centre for Cities report this morning showing the gap is widening between our best and worst performing cities reiterates evidence coming from other quarters, including research by the Work Foundation, that shows how difficult it can be for some urban areas to encourage growth and prosperity. It is disconcerting to see the top few... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Eliminating quangos could be more costly than Government originally predicted. However, the Cabinet Office has since amended this estimate and now cites a cost that overlaps with the NAO’s. When making proposals, especially controversial or large-scale new ideas, it is understandable that the Government would posit a smaller cost.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Eliminating quangos could be more costly than Government originally predicted. However, the Cabinet Office has since amended this estimate and now cites a cost that overlaps with the NAO's. When making proposals, especially controversial or large-scale new ideas, it is understandable that the Government would posit a smaller cost.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Achieving a ‘moral capitalism’ in our economy is the current debate in politics, with all main parties seeking to find ways to change the culture of obscene rewards and make finances more transparent. Whether any of these plans will be implemented, and whether they will be enough to radically change our society is a different... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Achieving a 'moral capitalism' in our economy is the current debate in politics, with all main parties seeking to find ways to change the culture of obscene rewards and make finances more transparent. Whether any of these plans will be implemented, and whether they will be enough to radically change our society is a different story. It is... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The news that Ofsted is seeking to change the way it labels the categories for inspections of schools could bring terminology up to date with the meaning it implies. For some time now, ‘satisfactory’ has meant the opposite; not good enough, could do better. To continue using this word is confusing and conceals the true... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The news that Ofsted is seeking to change the way it labels the categories for inspections of schools could bring terminology up to date with the meaning it implies. For some time now, 'satisfactory' has meant the opposite; not good enough, could do better. To continue using this word is confusing and conceals the true performance of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should councils be allowed to fine residents for minor bin collection infringements? The Government is proposing plans to stop people facing fixed penalty notices of up to £110 for putting waste in the wrong bins or for putting the bins out on the wrong day. On the one hand, there is the argument that severe punishment for such... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Should councils be allowed to fine residents for minor bin collection infringements? The Government is proposing plans to stop people facing fixed penalty notices of up to £110 for putting waste in the wrong bins or for putting the bins out on the wrong day. On the one hand, there is the argument that severe punishment for such... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Independence for Scotland is a thorny issue, and agreement on currency, proportion of debt, the armed forces and border controls may be hard to reach, even well ahead of a referendum on the topic. Whether Scotlandwill benefit from independence from theUKdepends on the amount of debt they would be required to take, tricky questions over... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Nick Clegg's social mobility campaign is seeking to improve conditions for young people trying to gain work experience, and those already in internships. Clegg has already come under criticism for using his father's contacts to gain work in the past, as have the Liberal Democrats for using unpaid interns. While this is a blatant instance... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Changes to Welsh constituencies may seek to equalise the numbers of voters within each, but the proposals could lead to great upheaval, and some argue, a diluted Welsh voice in Westminster. If Welsh MPs have less influence on policy making that could detrimentally affect the people living in the country – but some would argue that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT The Government's focus on renewable energy sources such as wind power could be negatively affecting both the environment and users, with higher costs and emissions, new research suggests. Is the importance of appearing 'green' to be valued above real savings? Gaining public approval and abiding by EU policies could conceivably be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT A committee of Lords and MPs have rejected Government plans for reform, especially suggestions to cut the number of peers to 300. How many Lords are needed to scrutinise legislation? And would a larger group allow a greater chance for smaller parties and independent candidates? Many claim that the House of Lords is in serious need of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Under criticism that they should have predicted both the popularity of solar power and the rate at which installation costs would fall, changes to FITs have been moved back again, with the planned start date of December 12 ruled unlawful. However useful it would be if they were, it would be sensible to acknowledge that the Government are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT First it was too complicated, now it's too simple. It seems as if the new planning policy can't do anything right. An overly complicated process, with 1,000s of pages of guidance, has been rigorously culled, replaced by a simple document that aims to promote sustainable development, not hinder it. Yet the framework has come under... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The new report from the ONS suggests both that human knowledge and skills are more valuable than our tangible assets, and that we are failing to sustain this stock. At a time when the true worth of human capital is only beginning to be understood, it seems we must take measures to ensure this decrease can be reversed and we begin to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Plans for an elected upper house could see a new wave of democracy brought to our political system. This has been a desire of political reformers for more than a century, though, and has still yet to be implemented. A joint committee of both Houses of Parliament is currently studying draft proposals, and their motivation for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT By providing a large amount of funding for troubled families, David Cameron gets to look like the good guy, the man with a clear-cut plan to turn around thousands of lives. But since the announcement of the plans, many have criticised the move for giving less than is necessary to implement real change. Whilst £448m seems a huge sum... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Measurement and specific targets are essential in Government to ensure the right groups receive necessary help. Pupils aged 11 are expected to reach level four for English and maths in their SATs, families must satisfy five out of seven criteria to fit the label of 'troubled'. The notion of acting without such categorisation and lists of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT Should the big society focus more on smaller groups that want to be more involved in delivering public services? The programme has been criticised for a lack of clarity, and for prioritising bigger charities and businesses over local voluntary groups in decision making processes. But a truly big society will require participation and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) measure suggests that the UK has the second highest standard of living in the EU. But how accurately does this measure standard of living, and how does that equate into happiness? AIC reflects the amount of goods and services that households actually consume. In our materialistic culture... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT In some ways, giving priority and more benefits to people who give back and make positive contributions to society makes perfect sense. As well as rewarding those who already do good it will act as a motivation for others to get more involved and help to improve their area. To break the 'something for nothing' culture, this requirement... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The inquiry into the claims that examiners are giving teachers specific guidance for future exams suggests there could be a serious case of inequality within our education system. Advice is a tricky concept to regulate, and it can be a case of opinion where to draw the line at revealing too much information. The knowledge that exam... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Work Foundation has highlighted the London-centric perspective of the Government's growth policy, and suggests a more flexible approach is necessary to help other cities to recover and prosper. What works in one area of the country, especially one that is already the focus of so much attention, is not guaranteed to have the same... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT What exactly will the new policing policy review achieve? With huge structural changes planned for police forces next year, it does not seem the most stable of times to make a considered evaluation of what should change. Of course, it could be argued that this is better late than never, as the findings could potentially highlight... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new study on the causes of the riots suggests the answers may be clearer than previously thought, and in contradiction to many assumptions made shortly after the disturbances. At the time, David Cameron stated that there was no political motivation to the riots, and that it was mainly gang-related, spread by social media. However... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT The reduction of solar panel subsidies and extra funding for energy intensive companies, leading to greater pollution, does not fit well with the Government's pledge to be greener, and deliver carbon cutting targets. It makes sense to reduce subsidies now that the price of buying solar panels has fallen, yet this is news that will never... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT It seems even significant industrial action cannot get ministers to acknowledge the impact so many public sector workers can have on society. For weeks before the strikes, Government pleaded with unions to reconsider, warning that the consequences for the public would be terrible. Yet as soon as they take place, the industry action... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT A BBC investigation has reported that six UK police forces have seen their overtime costs go up in the last two years despite Home Office efforts to see the bill reduce over that time. The six – Durham, Northern Ireland, Northumbria, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and Gloucestershire – have given differing responses to why that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT With George Osborne set to make his Autumn Statement this afternoon, we are expecting the confirmation of lower growth and higher borrowing, leading to concern that the target of eliminating the structural deficit by 2015-16 may be unfeasible. Labour, of course, is criticising this admission and is calling the revised predictions a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The new national infrastructure plan could be celebrated for further investment into the UK's roads, rail networks and schools. The extra funding is hoped to kick-start the economy, as growth continues to flat-line, but will it work? In this time of economic difficulty, should we spend more to save more? The Government will maintain... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Cross-party support has enabled the Social Value Bill to pass through the Commons, taking it one step closer to becoming legislation. Enshrining the requirement of social value in law, as opposed to an abstract 'extra' that is valued in an ideal world, if not the reality we live in, would mean a way of working that promotes better... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Nick Clegg's speech on the 'racial ceiling' that still exists in the UK will hopefully bring about real change in banks' approaches to people from ethnic minorities trying to start up businesses. Progress in equality can sometimes be the victim of its own success; since so much change has been achieved, there are many in the UK that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT New research demonstrates that councils lose a worrying amount of sensitive data each year, and not only does this go missing without our knowledge, but without many of these incidents being reported to the relevant authority. This means that the true extent of the problem remains hidden, and steps cannot be taken to rectify the situation... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Today the main political parties will resume the prickly debate concerning funding reform – which hasn't really moved on since Sir Hayden Phillips' report during the last Parliament. With each party solely concerned about the effects that funding reforms and caps will have on their own standing, it seems difficult to envisage a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT With one in five children estimated to be living in poverty at this very moment, it is understandable that commissioners are concerned about how the welfare reforms will affect these people. With stricter regulations, it will be more difficult for people to claim benefits and some people will no longer receive financial help. Welfare... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Research from the University of Sheffield demonstrates the worth of green spaces in the eyes of the public, as well as an economic case for increasing the amount of green infrastructure in our cities. It's one of those common sense results; aside from the physical and mental health benefits of being exposed to nature, people simply like... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT David Cameron's speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet last night suggested that the crisis affecting eurozone countries and the wider EU presents an opportunity for the UK to renegotiate the terms of our membership. Although Eurosceptics will be pleased to hear this, it is still unclear exactly which powers the Prime Minister is keen to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The US apparently feels the need to send over hundreds of its own security staff and FBI agents to protect athletes and diplomats during the 2012 London Olympics. Is this an over-reaction, or simply a necessary precaution to a situation that could present huge danger? It is true that the original number of staff thought to be required has... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The results of a direct access consultation suggest that the public greatly supports the removal of the MP filter on taking complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Eliminating this restriction could ensure quicker resolution of complaints, and many complainants could no longer be deterred from making a complaint. Arguments for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Are we happy to ban non-violent groups because what they do or say is grossly offensive? As has been shown again with Theresa May's decision over the so-called 'Muslims Against Crusades' – an apparent re-branding of previously proscribed groups – the answer seems to be 'yes'. Is it only full-time civil liberties... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Will strike action force a Government re-think on changes to pensions? It's unlikely: ministers and the Treasury are convinced the current schemes are unsustainable and unaffordable in the long run, although the evidence is questionable. But the savings the changes will generate have been mentally factored in already by those in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Just how effective are tougher border controls in actually preventing terrorism, crime, and illegal immigration – and how much is it all for show? The controversy over the relaxation of the more stringent checks – whoever gave it the green light – suggests that even the experts have their doubts. Either that, or a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Many high-profile union strike ballots have their legitimacy questioned because of low turn-outs. This is especially true when politics is involved, as in Unison's strike ballot over the public sector pensions changes, where turnout was 29% – although the resounding 76% vote in favour from those who did participate has given less... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT Fines currently exist to ensure the head of a household registers all voters in their residence. If the voting system is changed to individual registration of voters, this penalty could be attributed to individuals. The ability to vote is a right, and while it is of the utmost importance that the public utilises this right, it is not an... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The new offer for unions on public sector pension reform could avert the strikes scheduled for the end of November. Talks have been ongoing for several months with little progress, and the Government has asserted that there will be no change to the key elements of the offer. Longer-term proposals could be affected, but whether this... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is facing criticism for failing to reduce the number of ministers and aides, many of whom are used more for votes than for any significant purpose, it has been argued. Obviously, at a time where efficiency is paramount and cuts are falling on all sectors, employees in parliament should also be held to account to ensure that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A report has shown the importance of working to keep children out of care unless it is necessary, with cost savings, improved behaviour and health. But should we be focusing on keeping children with their families, perhaps at the expense of spending more time and resources working with those who are currently in care? This approach... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Social value is obviously something to aspire to, and in an ideal world, would always come far higher in priority than getting public services as cheaply as possible. Yet councils and Government currently choose the option which presents the best value for money, as we are under severe financial pressure across all sectors. Can we... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT So the Government won the vote, but at what cost? The massive Tory rebellion has demonstrated that many are unhappy with the current status of UK membership within the EU, and are willing to defy all levels of power – and abandon prospects for future abandonment, at least in this Parliament – to have their voices heard. Two... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Scottish National Party has announced the launch of its independence campaign, with the referendum set to be held towards the end of the five year parliament. Many are criticising the party for waiting so long, and are calling for the referendum to be brought forwards, but the more time the party has before the vote, the longer it has... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that some universities are considering reducing their tuition fees in order to have access to vital student places will no doubt be received with mixed feelings. The fact that students will have to pay less is obviously a key benefit. But the uncertainty surrounding which universities are considering the reductions and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Everything is going online these days, as the rush to get everyone on board struggles to keep up with the constant development of new technology. Providing the universal credit scheme via an online app could be much simpler for claimants to use, as long as their computer literacy allows them to do so. Would this format isolate and thus... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Should the elderly be 'persuaded' out of their family homes by the financial incentives and tax breaks? This is what a certain charity is suggesting, to free up more space for younger people and larger families who would make use of the spare capacity. Many older people will have spare rooms for the rest of their family, who have now... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Planning reforms; the key to economic success, or another opportunity to disregard the environment? The National Trust is arguing that there is no evidence to justify such severe changes, which it says will mean the default answer to planning proposals is always 'yes', threatening our green spaces. Yet they accept that simplification... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The trial of parenting classes to start next year could greatly improve children's life chances, health and education, as well as helping parents to be more confident in their ability. Children's Minister Sarah Teather wants to eliminate the stigma related to asking for help. Parenting can be a difficult task, with little guidance given... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The number of top A-level grades could be limited, meaning students could be given a ranking compared with the others who took the same exam. Because there isn't enough competition between students already. Of course, the more students who achieve 'A' grades make it more and more difficult for Universities to choose effectively... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Again MPs are complaining about the cuts to their numbers and the reshuffling of seats as the Boundary Commission seeks to reduce the size of the UK parliament. In Scotland, seven MSPs will be cut. Although Scotland has fewer representatives than England, this is still a small number of jobs, especially compared will all the cuts seen so... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Planning Policy Framework has been criticised today, for opening the possibility of an increase in poor development. The new proposals would presume to agree to any planning applications, making the rejected developments an exception rather than the majority. Planning must undergo reform in order to increase development, but... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is concerned that the rate of cutting carbon emissions could be undermining the UK industry, as the rest of Europe is moving more slowly to combat climate change. Investment in low carbon industries should be our primary focus, rather than traditional industries which are compounding the problem of climate change and which... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Public sector workers and the Government continue to struggle over talks concerning changes to pensions, with very little progress made. Unison is currently conducting its largest ballot for industrial action which would take place on November 30, if voted through. Both sides seem far too stubborn for any changes to be made, which could... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Providing childcare support for low-income families who work less than 16 hours a week will allow these families to get back into work – slowly – and to supplement their income whilst still caring for their children. Working full time with young children means those families must be able to afford expensive childcare costs. If... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT Further concern over unofficial exclusions of schoolchildren demonstrates that sometimes competition, and the pressure of having to perform and hit tough targets in order to retain funding, support and a good reputation, can actually harm the people it aims to help. If schools are unofficially excluding pupils to limit their affect on the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Health Professions Council's Welsh Language Scheme has been approved, meaning that all public business will now be available in both English and Welsh. This is a great step for the Welsh language, which not so long ago was in real danger of becoming obsolete. As well as preserving the heritage of the country, this move could encourage... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Coalition is under strain again this week, as the Conservatives pull one way with the Human Rights Act, and the Liberal Democrats stretch in the other. David Cameron and Theresa May have stated their wish to remove the Act, replacing it with a British Bill of Rights. The latest news includes proposals to make changes to the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT A former chief inspector of schools has suggested that the leaving age should be lowered to 14 to help less academic students to get practical training and into jobs. It is obviously true that some children are more talented at traditional academic subjects such as English and Maths than others. Pupils who are not interested in learning... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT The carrier bag charge starting in Wales tomorrow has led to a large amount of confusion for shoppers – and quite some opposition. Most people seem to think the money will be going straight to the Government, which can explain some of the reluctance to accept the charge: it's actually going to charitable causes. Yet others were... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that there are more centenarians in the UK than ever before again demonstrates the reality of our increasingly ageing population. While it may be called progress that survival rates for people aged 80-100 have improved with better medical care, housing and general living conditions, it also leads to other problems, including... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ed Miliband is the latest to speak out about the need for a fundamental culture change within Britain. Some MPs are starting to voice criticism of the way our society thinks and acts, and are calling for action to remedy this. But changing a culture is more difficult than changing policy, which is by no means simple. First the Government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Unions have asserted that their members will "never forgive" Labour if they fail to support their strikes against changes to public sector pensions. Ed Miliband has so far maintained that striking is a 'mistake', especially whilst talks between unions and the Government are ongoing. It is unclear how anyone could expect him to behave any... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ed Miliband has stated that if Labour were in power today, a £6,000 cap would be placed on tuition fees for students. But when questioned over the party's commitment to this promise, he was unable to guarantee that this policy would be present in the Labour manifesto in 2015 for the general election. So what is the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The new scheme for processing MPs' expense claims has been proclaimed inefficient, with 38% of claims costing less money than the average cost of processing them. After the MPs' expenses scandal in 2009, a new system was introduced to stop abuse of public money. It seems that while it may be easier to reimburse MPs accurately, the public... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that one in ten parents believes it is appropriate for a child as young as four to own a mobile phone is both concerning and ridiculous. The majority of parents cite wanting to keep in touch with the children as the main reason for purchasing a mobile for their children. Kids under ten rarely go anywhere these days without either... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Principals and the Association of Colleges have blamed a 'slowing' in college enrolment on the scrapping of EMA. Yet it is not even clear that such a downturn exists; rates of enrolment continue to vary across the country, and can be attributed to a whole host of different factors. The new funding replacement for EMA has also been... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Liberal Democrat party conference this weekend has seen the rise of several new fractures within the Coalition Government, and the party president has predicted that an 'inevitable divorce' will occur before the next general election, set for 2015. Disagreements on taxes, riots and EU membership are adding to the pressure as the two... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The results from a new survey on parent and student opinion on the level of discipline teachers employ has concerned human rights groups, with 40% of parents surveyed in favour of re-instigating corporal punishment. The majority believed teachers needed to be tougher when dealing with pupils. Another key finding was the acknowledgement of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT New research shows that parents in the UK are spending money they can't really afford to ensure their children don't face bullying for lacking expensive, fashionable material products. Succumbing to brand pressure means entering an endless battle to keep up with the latest trends. There will always be someone with more than you. There... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT It seems no-one at the TUC conference was listening to Ed Miliband as he denounced the use of strikes as a 'failure' yesterday. The unions have announced that they will be balloting members for coordinated strike action to take place this November. After eight months of talks and negotiations, it is clear that this is no lackadaisical... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The proposed shake-up of MPs' seats has resulted in many angry politicians opposing plans to divide up their constituencies. Reorganising the current system would allow fairer representation for all parties, which would replace seats where it is easier for certain parties to win. The only reason this wasn't implemented from the start... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Civitas' new report shows how pension providers manipulate the ignorance of the customer in charging extortionate fees and hiding this essential information in the small print. Pensions have long been considered boring and complicated, yet necessary due to the guaranteed annual income at the end of it all. Yet the abolition of a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Think tank Reform's assertion that 400,000 public sector job cuts could easily be achieved has been met by anger from trade unions who declare they have no respect for workers, and do not consider the escalating rate of unemployment. Yet it seems that Reform have a point. The Government is not making these cuts to be spiteful. They are... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The use of IT and new technology is highly restricted in the public sector, which experts now say is preventing modernisation. Limits are placed on worker's access to the internet in order to avoid distractions and misuse within working hours. It is very easy for someone to take advantage of free access, waste their time and possibly harm... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new AIA survey shows that 90% of local councillors believe that the condition of their local road network remains an issue in their area and are calling for more funding for repairs. While a third have realised that more money from the Government is unlikely, 44% are insistent the funding should be the Government's... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT Michael Gove's suggestion that the regulation of force in schools should be changed to allow physical contact between teachers and pupils enters risky ground. Many would agree that with 'health and safety gone mad', there is too much restriction on teachers' ability to control children adequately, and concern over human rights has made... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT The number of people who remain unaware of the impending pension reforms need further clarification, and quickly. Over 50% of 2,000 workers surveyed were ignorant of the automatic enrolment that will come into force next year, and the proportion was even higher among the youngest workers. They will be enlisted into a scheme in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Raven reported on June 1 of the 'screening out' of serious crimes that is seemingly becoming routine across Britain's police forces. One of the examples was Devon and Cornwall Police who, a Freedom of Information request found, screened out approximately one in five reported sexual offences, labelling them as needing no further... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that the number of youths not in education, employment or training (the so-called 'neets') is increasing, suggests that perhaps Labour is onto something with their 'jobs for contracts' scheme. With 18.4% of 18-24 year olds officially 'neet', something must be done. Providing incentives (bribes) for large public sector companies... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The delays reported from financial services firms reflect a common human failing. If something is going wrong, we would rather hide our heads in the sand, pretend it isn't happening, and hope for a miracle. The practical path of actually doing something productive to stop or reverse project failure is too much effort, and more importantly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Many schoolchildren only read texts, or websites, instead of novels, a new survey has shown. With the rise of social media and the 'information age', this format's appeal is understandable. However, it is saddening and worrying to realise that so many children are missing out on reading fiction. Reading allows you to learn things... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that many employment organisations could end up completely missing their targets for getting long-term unemployed people into work is obviously disappointing, if it means they fail to invest for the future. Today's think tank research suggests that 90% of the companies involved are likely to fail to hit even the minimum threshold... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Controversy over the Government's plans to undertake a badger cull has emerged with Labour's campaign against it. The longstanding problem of TB in cattle has had farmers calling for a solution for years, yet this is opposed by animal rights and wildlife campaigners, those who are dubious over the effectiveness of the chosen method... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The variation in the sentencing of rioters throughout England has been severely criticised. The Ministry of Justice has asserted that the sentences are tailored individually to each case and are based on different circumstances, leading to the disparities that have been seen between superficially similar cases. Some kind of national... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT A new report highlights the consequences of Government plans to cut the police budget by 20%. Although ministers have repeatedly assured the public that frontline numbers will not be affected, that promise is being severely challenged. With 16,000 police posts cut, it is difficult to see how neighbourhood policing could remain unaffected.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The first petition to gain consideration for debate in the commons has been spurred by the riots. 100,000 people believe those who took part in the violence should lose their benefits. What these people don't seem to have realised is that this is pretty much the system we already have in place. A spokesperson for the Department of Work... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Today's parliamentary debate has raised the issue of social media as a network which helped rioters to assemble. Some have suggested that police should have the power to shut down mobile networks in times of disruption to remove this tool for collaboration. It's true that services like BlackBerry Messenger and Twitter made organising the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT After the news that an extremely experienced and competent officer was stopped from filling the role of Met Commissioner due to his nationality, today we see the police continue to struggle to deal with the escalating riots throughout the country. With fire and violence and crime across our cities, perhaps the idea of having someone... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Carol Vorderman and co have called for maths education to be extended until students are 18 years old, with a split in the curriculum to allow those who excel to study further and let the others gain a fuller understanding of a smaller part of the curriculum. While this may initially sound like good sense – allowing the gifted to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The power of the petition has been let loose today with the Government's new e-programme. Members of the public can create and publish a petition on any topic, and grab the chance to push issues into parliamentary debate. This level of influence is incredibly valuable to our democracy, and so it is a shame to see so many wasting time... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Consultation has begun on the proposal to provide bilingual services in the Welsh Assembly. Since Welsh is an official language of the country, it is understandable that political proceedings should be available in both formats. A large scheme of recent reinvigoration in Wales means that most primary schools now teach in Welsh, signs... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Critics have responded to Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude's release of the £3.75bn in efficiency savings yesterday, claiming it is simply another name for cuts. 'Efficiency savings'- now there's a positive banner to hide behind. It's true that this perky phrase covers all manner of regrettable cuts, to public services... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thousands more civilian jobs are going at the MoD, which has now long held the crown as the most dysfunctional Whitehall department. These are on top of the military jobs already disappearing. It is, of course, purely a financial and cost-saving measure, as in policy terms the MoD is actually rather busy at the moment. The... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Fresh thinking, blue skies ideas, out-of-the-box creativity – a good thing behind closed doors, less good when the world gets to hear about it. Such is Steve Hilton's situation this morning, as he reads mocking newspaper headlines about his very radical suggestions to boost economic productivity that will scare a great many... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Both 'sides' in the debate over employment support and the fitness-to-work tests have valid points to make. Numerous reports from people who have taken the test have noted some of its flaws, with tests sometimes taking only around 20 minutes and ignoring health professionals' advice in the awarding of 'scores' based directly on a series... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Economic growth seems to be seriously stuttering – but we already knew that. Occasional evidence of things turning a corner tend to be drowned out by larger scale examples of something terribly wrong, from the awful consumer confidence numbers to today's miserable quarterly growth figure of just 0.2% - which is being celebrated in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT There were murmurs of surprise – and I think I even heard one whoop of delight – when ministers confirmed at the LGA conference last month that from next year, councils will be able to return to the committee system of decision-making if they so choose. That system, replaced in recent years with ways of running councils that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Opening up public services to competition is not a bad idea in theory, and nor is the idea of allowing mutuals and voluntary groups to take over services if they are able to. The problem is that this aspect of public sector reform is likely to be a relatively rare part of what actually happens, due to the influence of bigger businesses... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Divisions clearly remain at the top of the Coalition over public services reform, with Nick Clegg unhappy at the tone and timing of the launch of the new white paper – if not the general theme of the document. Allies of Clegg's have lost no time in briefing newspapers that his party thinks it is a mistake to enter into a debate on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT This blog usually stands up for local government in the face of ministerial attacks on council culture – but on the transparency agenda, we stand side-by-side with Francis Maude. Some public sector bodies have an admirable record of taking data freedom to heart, publishing information and statistics and records that let the public... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Radical devolution of power and funding to the local level, long a staple of Coalition rhetoric, has never really seemed that way in reality. There have been small steps and sensible decisions on this, and there have been some setbacks and U-turns too. Deputy PM and Lib Dem leader tried to push things a bit further at the LGA... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT It is rare for The Raven to blog about the same issue two days in a row, but then social care is one of the biggest issues facing local and central Government. Colour us disappointed but not surprised that ministers have not rushed to embrace the Dilnot report with open arms. The concern really does seem to be about the cost, with Cabinet... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Action for Children has published statistics that they are using to support a campaign to increase awareness for neglected children during the holidays. They state that almost one in four parents believe neglect increases out of term time; a convincing figure until you discover that nearly two thirds believed the time frame had no bearing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government says the core of its agenda – cutting the deficit – is to boost Britain's long-term stability and growth prospects. But 'sorting out' social care is vitally important, and must not be pushed down the priority list simply because of the price tag at a time of austerity. It will end up being more expensive and in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT Many speakers noted an atmosphere of positivity and get-up-and-go at the LGA conference. Ministers may be expected to say such things – it casts their decisions in a better light to see optimism everywhere rather than perpetual doom-and-gloom at cuts to services. But many senior council figures said similar things. They are not... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT It's a common political tactic – pretending to want to calm tensions while actually making very contentious proposals. It always makes the argument sound more reasonable. This weekend, Education Secretary Michael Gove said he did not want to "ratchet up the rhetoric" against the unions, but then did just that – saying that the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The young Labour leader of York City Council has asked for an advance on his wages because he is feeling the fiscal squeeze. Taking the job on May 26, he was not to be paid for those five days in May until the end of June. The authority has taken pity and given him £200. The politician in question, James Alexander who, at 29, is one... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The list of new sites for power stations has been released by the Government. These are the first to be issued since the disaster in Fukushima this March. Although it is a controversial topic, ministers are keen to push ahead with the new building plans. A government report has found that nuclear energy is still safe in this country... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government's been accused of making another U-turn, this time on the forthcoming Sentencing and Legal Aid Bill. It is the latest Coalition proposal that has found itself somewhat altered prior to making it to the House of Commons: the decision not to sell off the nation's forests and the NHS reforms are two such other... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Unions have a duty to represent their members' interests, and there is no doubt that for many in the public sector, their interests are about to come under severe pressure. So, many will happily march out on strike, if only to express the depth of their anger and frustration about changes to pensions, but also the background concerns over... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The much-delayed open public services White Paper will be out within weeks, Government sources have said – but it is still unclear how much it will reflect David Cameron's earlier desire to open up all public services to private and voluntary sector providers. Most of the current content reflects an acceleration of existing policies... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The open public services White Paper apparently will now appear after all – perhaps as soon as next month. But there are strong indications it has been much watered down, no doubt by people in Government with one eye on what has happened to the NHS reforms and the other on the sheer number of fronts on which ministers and the public... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT On the day Education Secretary Michael Gove sets out proposals to turn the worst performing primary schools into academies, a Premiership football club has expressed an interest in opening a free school. The charity arm of Everton Football Club has submitted an expression of interest to the DfE to run a school that would use sport to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT At the same time as union after union is lining up to tell the nation its members are going on strike, a little corner of the West Midlands is seeing sensible proposals from parts of the public sector that can be viewed as working with the Government, not against it. West Mercia Police and Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The BBC seems to have been briefed that ministers have conceded that councils should be able to make their own policy on waste collection. The reasons given are both the £100m cost, and the localism agenda – but it's not hard to guess which of these was the bigger driver of this decision. If ministers cared that much more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT If any other part of the public sector claimed it could save £100bn by 2015 without massacring services, ministers and the Treasury would beg to know more. But that claim, made by the LGA, has been floating around for nearly a year, and this week they've made it again, showing that the Government has hardly rushed to incorporate the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The changes to funding for solar power means that large scale installations now receive far less subsidiaries, as the Government seeks to encourage smaller projects. While it is important for individuals to make use of solar power, there is more potential in larger installations which can help a wider community of people. How many... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thomas Spielhofer, author of the report which justified the Government's axing of the EMA, has protested that his results do not signify a lack of financial difficulty for those who received the allowance. Others argue that the Government only based this move on a single percentage from a single study, making it difficult to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The list of Government U-turns has grown rapidly in the past few weeks, to the extent that it's hard to think of many departments that have avoided having to slam the breaks on. The latest two – on reduced sentences for those who plead guilty early, and large swathes of the NHS reforms – are examples of the two main types of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The IMF has welcomed Chancellor George Osborne's austerity measures. At least, that's how George Osborne is seeing things. Predictably he glosses over concerns about rising unemployment and inflation and the surprise contractions in growth predictions. His shadow, Ed Balls, however, is much keener to emphasise the negatives and gloss... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Coalition has proudly stated on a number of occasions that the war on the motorist is over. Local councils seem to think differently. Bristol has 'pedestrianised' two key roads in the centre of the city. No they haven't; they have closed them to private vehicles so taxis, buses and delivery vehicles will still be able to use... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) has issued a report suggesting that the value of nature and green urban spaces in the UK is currently undervalued. This stems from the fact that we find it incredibly difficult to accept the significance of resources and concepts that are not easily measurable. Numbers and rates and price tags... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The way we police in the UK is becoming a rather fascinating, maddening and downright disturbing subject. At roughly the same time as a Detective Superintendent investigates whether Energy Secretary Chris Huhne tried to pass on speeding points to someone else, an FoI request reveals police forces routinely screening out thousands of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT The House of Lords is up in arms. Peers from across the political spectrum are threatening to fight the Coalition over planned reforms of the upper chamber. Reduce our numbers, they cry, but don't make us campaign for our seats. The usual claims will be dragged out: they don't work hard enough, theirs in an unwarranted, undemocratic... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Audit Commission's report on road maintenance highlights something interesting; namely road repairs are around 50% more expensive (after inflation) than ten years ago. Some of the blame can be levelled at oil prices that have risen hugely since 2001. But a closer look at the report reveals some of the cost is also down to 'demand from... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT It has emerged that a Kent woman has been 'politely' sent packing from an A&E department after she sought treatment for a broken fingernail. Six months ago another woman, coincidentally also from Kent, rang police to report the theft of a snowman from her front garden. It is a fair point to say that it is not always apparent what... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Already the Government are set to fail. Promises made by Prime Minister, David Cameron to end the "injustice" of low-paid lone parents losing out by working extra hours have been criticised by the think tank Resolution Foundation. Their report shows that changes to childcare tax credits, due to come into force in 2013, could leave some... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT New Labour was often mocked and criticised for 'initiative-itis' – the need to be constantly seen to be launching new schemes, in response to this or that newspaper story or think tank study, which disappeared from sight within a few months. The Coalition, however, is in danger of saddling itself with the opposite problem:... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Liberal Democrats famously claimed the Labour administration of Tony Blair had introduced 3,000 new laws. They were, as usual, derided. The staggering thing is that the claim came in 2001 - before Blair had completed a single term. I wonder what total had been reached by the time he stepped down six years later. A decade on and one of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Tim Wills, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate was quoted as saying "There are many lines of inquiry to be taken" with regards to an ongoing investigation. And quite right too; we want our senior police officers investigating serious crimes – the public need to be protected from the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Justice Secretary's comments on rape and reduced sentences for those who plead guilty have caused outrage from rape victims, the Labour Party and the media. Clarke admitted that it had been a 'wrong choice of words', but appeared to be misinformed about several aspects of rape and sentencing which are integral to the debate. He... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Environmentalists have been cheered this week by the news that ambitious proposals to halve emissions by 2025, based on our carbon output in 1990, have been enshrined in law. It took weeks of complicated wrangling, with Cabinet splits along departmental, rather than party, lines. As always, most greens wanted things to go further. But... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is striving to become more family orientated as their new modern workplaces consultation plans to improve employment practices in the UK making them more flexible and family-friendly. The proposals aim to bring benefits for employers as well as employees, by increasing participation in the labour market while also helping... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Departmental 'business plans' have been a qualified success for transparency that the Government can justly point to as giving the public more insight into what it is up to behind the scenes. Inevitably, most attention has focused on the delays, slippages and problems rather than the rather larger number of successes and achievements:... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The news that more graduates than ever are getting stuck in low-skill jobs is disheartening. After leaving university, 40% are underemployed, in jobs they could have got without three extra years of education. Now more than ever, university is becoming a huge investment, and the benefits of higher education should be evident in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Once again centre-right commentators and politicians are attempting to justify their attacks on public sector pay and pensions. Right-of-centre think tank, Policy Exchange, which has strong links to the Conservative Party, has pitted the private sector against the public sector in its report contesting that public sector workers are 40%... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT It is revealing that the LGA focuses on potential cash savings when trying to convince ministers to get off the backs of councils, rather than invoking the spirit of localism. Although Baroness Eaton does make reference to the importance of local decision-making, money is at the heart of their call. Many of the suggestions and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 09 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Counting has started in the AV election referendum at 12 locations around the UK. Polls before the referendum predicted a landslide win for the 'No' campaign, who argued strongly for sticking with the status quo. After months in which the campaigns were roughly neck-and-neck, the decisive intervention of David Cameron and Conservative... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT The voting system for the future is being decided today. Results will show whether we stick with the first-past-the-post system or change to alternative vote. The difficulty this has placed on the Coalition has been evident. With the Conservatives opposing reform, Prime Minister David Cameron has stated that AV would be a 'disaster' for... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Outside observers can hardly be blamed for confusion over public sector reform when it seems clear the Government itself is still fighting over the issue. There was a widespread feeling that David Cameron's policy prescription in February – opening up the whole of the public sector to the private and independent sectors – may... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Environment Secretary Chris Huhne has, apparently, tackled the Prime Minister and Chancellor over the tactics used by the No to AV campaign ahead of this week's referendum on the voting system. No surprise there. But what is surprising is the fact that the Liberal Democrat Huhne decided to challenge the Conservative David Cameron and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 03 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Recent figures suggest that 75% of benefit applicants either drop claims before they can be completed or are found fit to work. These figures demonstrate a need for the Government to encourage these people to get up off their sofas and do some decent work for a change. The ESA is there to help tackle inter-generational poverty by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Readers may be prone to believe UK economic growth has gone down instead of up if key Labour party members like Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, are to be believed. When GDP figures were released this morning, he argued: "These figures show an economy that has flatlined since the autumn. By making a political choice to cut further and faster... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The LGA says botched road repairs carried out by utilities companies are leaving local authorities out of pocket. Given that it comes at a time when potholes caused by 2010's severe winter weather are still awaiting repair and still causing misery to the country's motorists, the LGA hopes this attack will find some resonance. How can... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Gordon Brown based his political credibility on his economic nous. Tony Blair famously described his long-serving chancellor as the 'big, clunking fist' that would sort new Tory upstart David Cameron out. Then came two years of dire economic catastrophe, despite Brown himself proclaiming he had 'saved the world' during the global... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The promise to have a referendum on the Alternative Vote system of electoral process was a key plank of the Coalition Agreement that saw the Liberal Democrats form a government with the Conservatives. Almost immediately Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg outlined the importance of AV to his party. Almost as quickly, Conservative... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT It is with some delight that we hear the High Court has judged the police's use of the controversial protest containment tactic of 'kettling' at the 2009 G20 protests as unlawful. The New Labour years will be remembered for many things and the erosion of civil liberties is high on the list. The creation of the kettling tactic, the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT It is estimated that 1.3 million pensioners are living in poverty in Britain. That is a shocking statistic. Although rising energy costs and inflation have contributed to this sorry state of affairs, there is money offered to help that is not being utilised. Full benefits are claimed by only 22%, while the rest get less than... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The inquest into the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson during the London G20 protests in 2009 has heard why a pathologist amended the wording of the original post-mortem after two other pathologists subsequently disagreed over the cause of death. But that is not the headline. Instead it appears that tests show the newspaper... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT I note with sadness the death, at the age of 49, of Sir Simon Milton who had a transformative role in local government during his life. His roles at the LGA, the Mayor of London's office, and Westminster City Council are festooned with admiring friends and colleagues who speak of the "unbelievable" things he achieved. LGA chair... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Are local authorities barriers to localism? Government ministers usually seem to think so; for all the talk of devolving power, it is only community groups or else individuals with executive powers, like directly-elected mayors or police commissioners, that they seem to be interested in handing power down to. They are much more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT Over the past few years the Conservatives seemed to stall at 'Broken Britain' when it came to law and disorder. Yet very suddenly it appears to have become core blue territory once again. Party co-chair Sayeeda Warsi has said society has lost its habit of demanding social responsibility. David Cameron has chimed in saying he wants to give... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT As more and more universities raise their tuition fees to the maximum limit of £9,000 per year, many students will be forced to wave goodbye to their chance of a university education. Although it remains a debt to be paid only when the graduate is earning enough to be able to afford it, the dramatic figure of £27,000 is enough... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT It's not the politics, it's the reporting of it. Anyone sitting down to watch the news on any of the major broadcasters last night will be forgiven for having no idea what Nick Clegg's going on about. But they will know he is apparently a 'hypocrite' who benefited from a friendly word from his own father, and who did not pay an... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT There are ways to give people on sickness benefits positive help to get back into work without treating every person as if they were a shirker. The Government's ambition to reduce the unsustainable, multi-billion pound welfare bill through targeted help is admirable and long overdue, but testimonies from those who have been involved so... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT It seems the state pension is to rise, up from £132.60 to perhaps £155 by 2015 or 2016, accounting for inflation. A BBC report suggests the Coalition is to go further than its previously mooted £140 figure and a simplification of the pension rules should make it easier for pensioners to receive what is truly entitled to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT The shortfall in the nation's road maintenance budget has been highlighted again today. Is it a political own goal for the Government, which should realise how unpopular terrible roads are with the voting public? Or else, is there a slightly cynical realisation that the public is more likely to blame local authorities, who tend to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The funding decisions for the arts today have hardly suggested that a devastating scythe is being taken to the sector, as some commentators seemed to believe. Maybe those hearing good news are just being more forthright in coming forward, and we know that more than 200 organisations across England are going to have to find new funding... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Yes campaign for the Alternative Vote system got underway in earnest today – without its most recognisable proponent. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, it has been alleged, was asked not to appear at the launch because his name is mud with voters still angry over tuition fees. And it's also alleged that the request came... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT At least 250,000 people are believed to have marched through the centre of London this weekend protesting at the Coalition Government's cuts to public services. That so many attended the TUC-inspired 'March for the Alternative' and the fact that so many of them were well behaved and caused nothing more than a little traffic disruption has... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT How much will enterprise zones really drive growth? It was a curious tactic by this government to choose a name that so consciously echoed the 1980s, an era that most of the party leadership try to publicly distance themselves from. The evidence is at best mixed that enterprise zones worked in that decade – how well the new... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT There is, as always, a lot for the public sector to digest in the Budget. One of the most potentially radical proposals is the 'land auction' pilot scheme, which could revolutionise the planning process and boost council coffers. However, the details remain key – many communities will be unhappy at potentially losing their voice in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Outsourcing is about to take off in an even bigger way after a change in pay rules. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said the current legal protection for new employees at private firms who have taken on former public sector workers were 'bonkers' and discourage job creation. Until now, such employers have had to take on new employees... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Are the plans for radical changes to public service delivery, bringing far more private, voluntary and charitable sector groups in to run services, being watered down? The Prime Minister generated a lot of interest with his proposals last month to offer virtually all public services to independent providers, excluding things like defence... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The very fact that the Taxpayers' Alliance can compile an in-depth report into senior pay at councils shows that it is a relatively transparent sector. More executives than ever are taking home more than £100,000 in total remuneration, the Taxpayers' Alliance says, despite the general public sector downturn. The LGA says a lot... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Good to hear councils getting a bit of praise on the radio this morning, thanks to an innovative tie-up with Lloyds TSB to help a few more first-time buyers clamber onto the housing ladder. The buyer puts down a minimum 5% deposit, and the local authorities taking part in the scheme provide a cash-backed indemnity of up to 20%. The buyer... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT First thoughts on Will Hutton's public sector pay review – some good ideas; will probably never happen. He is right to try to link salary with performance, but doing it in a 'negative' way as he suggests, with cash withheld if targets are missed, will surely result in legal problems and acrimony. Public sector performance is not... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Doctors may be on their way to becoming managers, but councillors will become health overseers. That is, if policies demanded by the Lib Dems are accepted by their Conservative Coalition colleagues. The party's policy following its conference in Sheffield at the weekend is now for at least half of the members of GP commissioning... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Councils are sitting on a debt mountain of more than £1bn in unpaid council tax, according to some of our more excitable newspapers. Ministers were quick to blame the 'worst-offending' councils – all Labour-run urban authorities with high levels of deprivation – for cutting services rather than making more of an effort... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Chancellor George Osborne may have been shrewd to appoint a former Labour minister to review public sector pensions, meaning no one Coalition minister can act as the figurehead for discontent over the inevitably radical suggestions the report has come up with. The unions are predictably outraged – as they have been, give or take... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Would councils be freezing council tax without the cash incentives being offered by the Government? It's another localism question, ultimately, and while this year the £650m hand-out has prompted most councils to see which side their bread is buttered on, who knows what will happen next year. Ministerial threats over bin... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Sticking by promises made in the heat of election campaigns is particularly difficult for governments once they get to know the workings of Whitehall. Not just on big policy items and spending decisions, but on the day-to-day operations of government, have ministers realised that many things are easier said than done. From open data... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Was the war of words between the Government and local authorities an inevitability as soon as the cuts to their funding were announced? Councils, especially those run by Labour, were never going to let ministers get away with handing them responsibility for the cuts to services and jobs they are making, while ministers always had an easy... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT There is something almost noble about the ideas coming out of some councils to strip themselves of their purpose in life. Few people or organisations so willingly consider making themselves virtually redundant as those looking into becoming 'enabling' councils – commissioning, rather than providing, their services. It's not a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The savings having to be made by Birmingham beggar belief – but then, so does everything about scale of that particular city council. The budget-setting season is nearly over, but this will hardly be a relief to the councillors and officers who have had to find millions in savings across the nation's local authorities. From April... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT More foreign aid will be going to countries that could impact the terror or security situation in this country, and less to more 'stable' countries, under new plans. Is it a case of getting better value for money from our aid budget, in using it to further non-aid objectives – those of the Foreign Office or MoD or BIS, for example... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT Is the LGA whistling in the wind with its demands for other parts of the public sector to be opened up to public scrutiny to the same extents as its members? Most likely it is, although the department responsible for upset councils, CLG, has made a number of attempts to stave off such 'hypocrisy' barbs by publishing spending data and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Will the 'free councils' idea increase inequality? If local authorities keep more of what they 'earn' in revenue, rather than funnelling it off for redistribution by Whitehall, will that mean richer boroughs getting richer and poorer ones losing out? Or will it leave central government, with lower administration costs, able to focus... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Can there be any real argument with communities minister Bob Neill's letter to councils urging them to further open meetings to public scrutiny and allow filming of public discussions? Many are already admirably open, and have embraced 'webcasting' – with some surprising results showing there is more interest in some meetings... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT So, councils' pothole budgets will have a smaller hole themselves thanks to a £100 million Government cash injection. The non ring-fenced money, which was also paid out last year because of the scale of problems caused by the winter weather, will go some way to assuaging concerns over cuts to highways budgets. But considering... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Ministers probably feel they are standing up for householders when they criticise councils for implementing or considering fortnightly waste collections. They have described weekly collections as "a right" and seem determined to bring pressure to bear on councils to get into line. Hardly localism in action – but it's an obvious... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Thousands of people – ordinary people, not just politicians and public sector workers - took to the streets in Liverpool over the weekend to protest at the damage they say is being done to the city by cuts. Thousands of people – ordinary people, not just politicians and public sector workers - took to the streets in Liverpool... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT London was a hefty omission from the list of local enterprise partnerships – so it is great to see it finally join the LEP party. When LEPs were first announced, there was a collective cynicism about their potential – they were seen as a cut-rate replacement for RDAs. But since then, the very process of local authorities... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT When listening to the electorate is it a refreshing change or a sign of weak leadership to amend or even completely U-turn on policy proposals? At Prime Minister's Questions this week, David Cameron gave the broadest hint yet that the controversial national forests sell-off will no longer go ahead; he said 'no' when asked if he was happy... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT When does the good news begin? Or is the only good news on the economy that things aren't even worse? The job market is recovering more slowly than most anticipated, inflation is at 4%, we recently had awful economic growth figures mired in negative territory, and swathes of redundancies and reduced amounts of business because of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Has the Government used a sledgehammer to crack a nut over council newspapers? Clearly, very few people in the independent media industry liked the idea of taxpayers subsidising competition-killing newspapers and magazines, but for all the bluster these were actually incredibly rare, especially outside of London. Most were much less... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Long-heralded plans for a merger of many services in three London boroughs unsurprisingly come with job losses attached – but long term the plans will safeguard jobs and services. Hammersmith and Fulham, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster councils are hoping to save a combined £35m by merging key... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Councillors may have a few good points to make in their battle with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, but demanding to bypass him and speak directly to Cabinet Office ministers and Deputy PM Nick Clegg risks making them look petulant. Labour councillors and Richard Kemp, the Liberal Democrat who helped organise yesterday's letter to The... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The scathing letter from Lib Dem council leaders, while ostensibly aimed at Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, is really a shot across the bows of party leader Nick Clegg and an early indicator of party tactics ahead of May's local elections. They must know by now that Pickles is not the sort to let criticism of his decisions change his... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT They're at it again – blaming councils for the cuts. High executive pay at local authority level certainly is an issue worth examining, but ministers have once again been taking to the airwaves using it as a distraction tool from the Government's own spending decisions and to shift the blame decisively from Whitehall onto town halls... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government, like its predecessor, has talked a lot of good talk on housing – but is there much actual evidence of building work in our towns, cities, and (whisper it) the countryside? Many councils have been so desperate for so-called Section 106 payments from developers to cover revenue shortfalls elsewhere that some of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT There may be 'no Plan B' for the economy, but the number of individual proposals coming out of this government only to be scrapped or watered down after protests show that some of the old ways of doing things are still alive and well. Anti-cuts protestors will be emboldened by the Government's apparent willingness to rethink some... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is a much more welcome face in local government circles than his counterpart at CLG. Capital spending on transport is still happening and funding decisions are still being made – providing jobs, boosting growth and increasing convenience for passengers using public transport as well as motorists.... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT The commentators most supportive of the Government's deficit reduction plans are suspicious about the victims affected by the cuts. Elderly bus users, children in care, community crime prevention projects; the suggestion is out there that some councils are deliberately threatening vital services with the axe, even though they could... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Plans to devolve road classification to local authorities are another welcome symbol of localism in action. But symbolism cuts both ways – any major change still needs DfT approval. Whitehall can just not let go. Government likes transparency, we hear, so councils are forced to be transparent. Government dislikes council tax... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Is there a "culture of excess" in our local authorities – or is this just Eric Pickles council-bashing once again? The Communities Secretary was speaking primarily of expenses and foreign travel, as well as the cost of things like awards ceremonies. He knows well that any such excess is of an entirely different magnitude in the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT Will localism bring more opportunities for economic growth as businesses and councils are freed from the shackles of regulation and central control – or will more power locally mean more power to block unwelcome development and business opportunities? Ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government have certainly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Department for Communities and Local Government is among the brashest of them all when it comes to cuts – no doubt the influence of Eric Pickles at the helm. Liverpool is the latest to announce huge job cuts – 1,500 posts are to go – but once again the CLG response is to tell councils to "share back-office services... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The debate over council newspapers gets to the heart of what local authorities are for and how they work. Many of them do not feel any particular need to be 'held to account' by the local press, which hard-working council staff often feel to be overly negative and sensationalist, underplaying the day-to-day good work done by thousands in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT For every council posting job cut notices these past few weeks, not many of them seem to be seriously considering shared service options. This blog has looked before at some of the more innovative ideas, in Kent, Berkshire, Hampshire and fire services in the north-east, for example. They do often mean job cuts, but they can save a lot of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Centre for Social Justice says billions of pounds have been spent on 'vague hopes' of improvement rather than clearly defined objectives. It is an easy to charge to make when it comes to handling such massive budgets, but is there really anything in it? The think tank gives the example of £1.2 billion spent on problem drug... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Another 13 councils have abandoned weekly bin collections – eight of them Tory-controlled – which raises questions about the Government's localism agenda. Giving councils more powers over how to run services in their areas, and more responsibility for how to pass on budget cuts, means there will inevitably be decisions made... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Crime is down again, we are told – except sex offences. Which, of course, is thanks to more reporting by victims, rather than more sex crime, say police. Murder and manslaughter are at their lowest level since 1997, and the risk of being a crime victim is at 21.4%, a 30-year-low. Some people will never believe the official... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT With great power comes great responsibility, according to the superhero comics - and the Department for Communities and Local Government. If local authorities are to face the consequences of EU directives demanding limits on emissions and waste going to landfill, it is right the Government fulfils its localism promise and takes a proper... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Parenting lessons may be a good idea – even if they are the most literal example of the nanny state at work. But can a public education programme on the scale suggested today really be taken up by the Big Society? It's a good test of the concept – there should be plenty of people and organisations with the motivation and... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Today's report on PFI projects surely tells us a lot of what we already knew – that it became 'the done thing' even when it did not really offer better value. Done well, and in principle, the scheme has obvious merits – but the last Government completely failed to keep a lid on costs, demand compensation for delays or use its... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Will students really stay home from college if education maintenance payments are withdrawn? Clearly, in rural areas, some students will be affected by the scrapping of the EMA grants, but two facts spring to mind – students coped before the EMA was introduced, and colleges themselves offer financial help. Students who... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT A pleasing number of councils, fire services and police authorities are now realising the potential benefits of shared services. Such schemes were less common in the boom years, when sovereignty mattered more, but now that so much cash needs to be saved so fast, they suddenly look very tempting. Few authorities are looking at full... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Was it a coincidence that the decision to axe 2,000 jobs on Manchester City Council was announced on the day of a close by-election in a nearby constituency home to many of those workers? It probably was, but it highlights the year in store for the governing parties as the cuts turn from rhetoric to reality. Manchester is right that it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Long-term plans to amalgamate benefits into a universal single credit were never going to be simple. The latest Institute of Fiscal Studies research into the reforms coming out of the Department for Work and Pensions suggests a confusing mix of winners and losers and costs and savings. But a bit of confusion at this stage is worth it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Do prisons need more staff? Of course, following the violent scenes at Ford prison on New Year's Day, it is in the Prison Officers Association's own interest to blame staffing numbers rather than the professional abilities of its members. But the figures it has presented are stark – 17 trained prison officers and 26 support staff... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The police are accused of spending £2m and seven years infiltrating a group of climate protestors – before the trial collapsed anyway when their undercover mole 'went native', taking on board the eco-warriors' concerns and offering to help their defence. Their lawyers say the police have serious questions to answer –... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The resignation of the head of Northern Ireland Water over the water crisis there should prompt senior directors at all sorts of public organisations to think carefully about resilience. As so often, at the heart of the concerns of Laurence MacKenzie's accusers' were communication failures and the organisation's interaction with the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is right to strike a populist note over rubbish collections. It has been wrong more than once in publicly attacking local government chiefs, but this is one occasion when going 'over the heads' straight to the public makes sense. Despite the myriad services offered by modern councils, waste collection remains one of the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Around half a million people may have been chucked off incapacity benefit incorrectly over the past 15 years, a new study shows. The Government is right to be shaking up the welfare system to try to get more people languishing on long-term benefits back into work, and many of them will appreciate the chance to do so, given the right help... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Government is right to extend freedom of information laws. Many of the organisations currently exempt are public bodies in all but name and should be made subject to FoI provisions in the interests of public trust, transparency and accountability. Nick Clegg is clearly being given 'positive' announcements to make to shift the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Almost all councils tried to prepare for the icy weather this year, announcing a series of measures over the summer designed to avoid a repeat of January's chaos. It made a lot of sense – measures taken up by various councils have included mini-snow ploughs for pavements, more money for pothole filling, better multi-agency... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The much delayed Localism Bill is due to be published today. The Bill will devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities control over housing and planning decisions. This will lay the foundations for the much vaunted 'big society'. The impending cuts to council funding will mean the 'big society' will need to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Committee of Public Accounts report on the financing of Private Finance Initiative says that alternatives to the high cost bank finance were not properly explored during the credit crisis and accuses the Treasury of not adequately exploring how lower cost finance sources such as life insurance and pension funds could be encouraged to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The government has announced changes to legislation to tackle tax avoidance which are expected to raise over £2billion in additional revenue during the course of this parliament. About time, too. Perhaps we are all in this together, after all. Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT A new report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows the number of children living in poverty in working households has increased to 2.1m – the highest on record – and that by 2008/09, 13m people were in poverty. Of these, 5.8m were in 'deep poverty', the highest proportion on record. What a marvellous testimony to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The UK fell from 17th to 25th for reading and from 24th to 28th for maths in performance tables published as part of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), behind pupils from Estonia, Lichtenstein and Slovenia. A sad indictment of 13 years of Labour's education policies. Tell us what you think – have... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Over the recent spell of wintry weather, more than 60 offenders have been working with The Highland Council social work staff to clear snow and grit paths and roads and helping vulnerable members of the community. What a great way for offenders to pay their dues to society and for the community to benefit. I hope this is being replicated... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT There is clearly a link between family income and underachievement but there are many other factors which have been understated which Frank Field's review into poverty, The Foundation Years emphasises such as the importance of children's early years and the health and well-being of babies and toddlers. Children from poor families may... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whenever heavy snowfall and icy conditions disrupt transport services, there is one question which can be guaranteed to be asked by the media - why can't the UK be more like the Scandinavian countries which cope so well with heavy snowfall. The simple answer is that the Scandinavians know that they are going to get heavy snow more or less... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The Hutton Fair Pay Review says that the public sector should be cautious about simply adopting best practice from the private sector, as private sector pay practices and corporate governance have not delivered proportionality in pay. Over the past decade the top one per cent of earners have seen their incomes grow much faster than other... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT The White Paper, Healthy Lives, Healthy People sets out how funding from the overall NHS budget is to be ring-fenced for spending on public health and how most public health services are to be commissioned by local authorities from their ring-fenced budget. Councils can help people improve their health in ways that the NHS can't and by... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Adverse weather conditions have been fostering a spirit of co-operation in Surrey. An army of 35 farmers and a 4x4 vehicle owners club have been enlisted to help lay salt on the roads throughout the county.whilst residents of the London Borough of Sutton have been offered free supplies of grit to use on footpaths and roads outside their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Job satisfaction has shown a surprise increase across UK workplaces during the autumn, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's quarterly Employee Outlook survey, suggesting that the 'fixed grin' phenomenon identified by the survey during the recession has returned. The survey of over 2,000 employees represents... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT The government has launched the debate on well-being to provide a fuller picture of 'how society is doing' than is given by economic indicators such as GDP The National Well-being Project will no doubt tap into research which has been done in other countries. It's not as straightforward as it sounds. While most people would rather be rich... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ofsted has reported that the quality of teaching in schools and colleges is still too variable. Its latest Annual Report shows that teaching is still no better than satisfactory in half of secondary schools, 43% of primaries and 43% of colleges that were inspected this year. Let's hope the White Paper to be published today will strengthen... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Having saved itself £570,000 in postage costs since January 2009, Birmingham City Council is now enabling other public sector bodies and potentially local businesses to benefit from its Royal Mail contract. The contract with Royal Mail is the only one of its kind for a local authority and gives the city council a major discount on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Some councils in England and Wales have been lobbying the government for the right to increase the amount they can charge motorists in parking fines. Penalties outside London currently have an upper limit of £70. The British Parking Association is also calling for an increase. The right balance must be struck. Whilst illegal parking... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am glad to see that the government is spreading the 'wealth' so to speak with councils, by letting them charge infrastructure levies – for too long developers have been able to build inappropriate developments without thinking of the consequences on local facilities and communities. Obviously we need to develop our communities... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Casting my eyes across the headlines this morning I cannot help but notice the arrogance of some councils which believe that they can cut front line services – but not their management costs. There is no point having management if they have no-one to manage and I fear that for all their fine words about saving as many jobs as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT It is incredible to see how wasteful some processes in the public sector really are – and how laid back people are about getting anything done. I was chatting with a press officer recently who had just begun a job at a public sector organisation, who commented that the pace of work was dramatically different from that which she had... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT So it appears that Cameron's coalition is trying to get down with the kids and launch their new citizen service. Right, where do I start? Well, I suppose the ghastly name would be as good place as any. What on earth were they thinking? National Citizen Service – it sounds like some kind of Soviet youth movement from the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Now that councillors will be given more freedom around the matters on which they campaign, they will need closure supervision by the public and press to ensure that they are behaving. Whilst I am up for local leaders being given more power, that power must be wielded responsibly. This is why we need a strong and independent local... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT There are some very challenging times ahead for local government officials. We live in a divided and almost bankrupt country where tensions between different groups are running high. We can no longer afford the 'luxuries' which the country has enjoyed for many years – and many feel that this is grossly unfair. And they have a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Yesterday's protest should have been a dignified display of defiance against swingeing public sector cuts. However, all I saw was a group of people endangering the lives of others and throwing their own lives down the drain to boot. The police should have handled the situation better but those in charge of the demonstration should... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT It does not surprise me to hear that many ministers do not understand the concept of a Big Society – being so detached from reality, I am surprised that they can comprehend anything at all (the current argument over the expulsion of a certain Labour MP is testament to that). Big Society is about bringing people together and saying... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am sick to death of every organisation under the sun constantly complaining - or as they call it 'issues a warning' - that their particular service will be adversely affected by the cuts. Well, I have news for you – we will all be affected by the cuts, whether we like it or not. Now is not the time for complaining, because no... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Thank goodness that our politicians have finally seen sense and decreed that everyone who can work – will. Our country has been blighted by a sense of laziness and entitlement for far too long and now it is good to see the government doing something about it. On a practical note, there has been much talk of public sector cuts... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Councils have been moaning a lot recently over having to cut services - so why not put it to the public and ask them which should be cut. They could hold a vote - after all, isn't that democracy? This would also take the pressure off councils - and their elected leaders – because the electorate will have made the choices... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Universities in England will be able to charge students tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year from 2012. This will have both positive and negative consequences. Whilst it will deter some from less well off backgrounds from going to university, it will also result in a huge reduction in the number of graduates employed by call... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT It strikes me that the reforms which are needed to make society work more effectively are only being blocked by those without inclination to accept that change. There also needs to be proper public auditing of accounts – as a recent journalistic investigation has showed – whilst councils moan that they do not have enough cash... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT I was horrified – but not surprised – to hear that council officials have been spending hundreds of millions of pounds over the last few years on pay-offs, jollies and other extravagances. I wonder how these people dare face the public and moan about having to cut spending to their services - luckily councils will now have to... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst many people - especially in Labour Party and union circles - have tended to focus on the cuts which the government has made, I wish more light was being shed on the work which is going on to put control back into the hands of local people. By allowing councils to be rewarded for their hard work in attracting businesses to their... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT I cannot believe the uproar over the government's cap on housing benefit of £400 a week. If you are being given a house essentially for free there are limits to what you should expect. There are millions of working families out there scrimping hard to pay rents which are half that amount and going without luxuries just to do so... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst I feel that much is being done to tackle the subject of benefit fraud, I feel that far more needs to be done to get people off benefits totally. If as much effort was put into creating job opportunities as is put into paying people benefits to live off the state, then everyone involved would be a lot happier, healthier and more... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst I believe that the pay of senior management within local authorities should reflect their performance and not be excessive, I also believe that councillors need to stop playing politics with their management. Far too often councillors will come into a new role, only to fire the incumbent chief executive, just because they worked... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT At the moment it may seem strange that the government is willing to spend public money on anything, but spend it must. It just has to be sensible spending – the right amount in the right places. Given that the UK has no real industry to speak of, it is important that it develops areas like high-technology, along with other... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT It appears that the ball is now firmly in the salt suppliers' court following comments made by council leaders which questioned their ability to deliver the required amount. I for one challenge the suppliers to provide the required stocks and prove these early predictions wrong. It would be a great example of how the private sector... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Council tax payers will be overjoyed to hear that their council tax will be frozen for a year – councils less so. The government has to strike a balance between helping tax payers whilst reducing public spending, but councils will need support too. And a lot of it, at that. Tell us what you think – have your say... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Now that the CSR is over, the hard work will begin. All over Britain, councils will have some very hard decisions to make and no-one doubts that scale of the task ahead of them. For the scale of saving which the government expects to be made effectively and safely, many councils will have to lose staff. Some have already begun discussing... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am not a financial expert but I am slightly confused as to why local government bodies need to borrow as much as they do. When many have such huge reserves of tax payers' cash stashed away – and with interest rates as low as they are – would it not be a better idea to spend that money in paying off council debt – or... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am rather concerned about the attitude which some sections of the public sector seem to have towards their local press. Whilst I can totally sympathise with councils who do not want to spend their funds inappropriately, I still believe that the local press are indeed a 'public service' worth paying for. Who is it that often roots... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT There seems to be a new appetite for less paper work in councils. Whether it be less health and safety mumbo jumbo or just less boxes to tick people seem to have finally woken up to the idea that all of these burdens are simply not necessary or can be drastically cut back. If only this had happened thirteen years ago and we wouldn't... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Four million pensioners could lose two thirds of their cold weather payments because the Government is considering cutting the emergency weekly payments from the £25 it has been for the past two years to £8.50 a week for this winter. Not only will the government save £16.50 for each pensioner. They will also save on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am afraid that commissioning endless surveys to try to convince central government to give councillors the power to decide where cuts are made might not achieve much. The government is committed to drastically reducing spending in local government - just as in every other corner of society and so trying to emotionally bribe them through... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Councils are going to have to cut their spending to a bare minimum - this means that every penny which can be spent on the front line needs to be spent on the front line. If this means a fairly comprehensive reorganization of the way in which councils operate then so be it – providing top class services is the only thing that... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Why doesn't the government chase the tens of billions of pounds in tax revenue that never gets to the Treasury's coffers. It appears that whilst the government seems very willing to take money off ordinary folk, they don't seem to keen to cause problems for their better off friends in business. Whilst I agree that all non-jobs should... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am always glad to hear of more red tape being cut. It is of course very important that things are done properly, but processes within government must be effective. I bet if you began applying lean principles to much of local (and central) government you might find many examples of unnecessary process, ready to be cut. Tell us... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT The public sector is at risk of losing all of the public's sympathy if you react sadly over Lord Hutton's recommendations on pensions. These 'gold plated' pension – as they have been labelled by the media – are a source of much discontent within the private sector. This means that you all have to maintain your focus on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst it might not be ideal to have council posts reduced, at least if it is done through natural wastage no workers will actually lose their jobs. All this talk of civil unrest by public sector workers over staffing numbers and pensions will only serve to alienate everybody else in the private sector, who has already felt the pain of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Isn't it ironic that at a time when councils are complaining that they do not have enough money to maintain front line services, that they can find it to launch legal action against the government. Whilst I have sympathy for those councils who have already spent a large amount of money on these projects, the simply case is that there isn't... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT Does anybody else feel that some councils are not exactly relishing the thought of having to be truly accountable to their citizens? Despite a number of assurances from places like the LGA, I still get the feeling that this is something which they really wish they didn't have to do – I mean, surely if they wanted to do it, they... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT January 2011 will be a significant month in local politics because now members of the public from all over the country will (or should) be able to analyse all of their (or anybody else's) council's spending for items over £500. This is a big step forward. I wonder whether there will be any scandals in a similar vein to MP's expenses... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT First of all, well done again to Mr Pickles for banning lobbyist use by councils. It is unfair and undemocratic. However, I was under the impression that councils were organisations put in place to carry out the decisions of their political masters, meaning that anything done by a council should be at the behest of democratically elected... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT I have to say that the vitriol aimed at Eric Pickles over his new rules on council newspapers yesterday made me chuckle. One example which I thought was particularly ludicrous was the idea that councils need their own newspapers to tell local people about the good work they are doing – they shouldn't need a paper for this, it should... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I have no time for council newspapers – I find the whole concept incredibly Orwellian, especially when you consider the effect which they can have on the real local press, which is having a hard enough time as it is. Whereas council newspapers provide those in power with the opportunity to spread whatever propaganda they wish, the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am glad to hear that councils are launching public consultations into how their services will be cut back. Given that local people pay for those services, it is only right that they should have a word in how those services operate. For too long the state has dictated to the public, but now it should be the public's turn to take the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT So Ed Miliband has won, has he? Well, whilst the unions may be laughing themselves to sleep tonight, they may have just witnessed the election of a leader who will ensure that Labour stays in opposition for a very long time. While many in the Labour camp seem to think that much of the public's anger is aimed at bankers, it is in fact... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT This was the question which I put to one local authority chief executive yesterday and their answer was no – they even offered to let people shadow them for a week to see if they would want to do their job. After seeing the hard decisions which chief executives have to make, this one told me that very few people would want the job... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT It was hard for me to contain my laughter whilst reading through the details of John Denham's complaint about the politicisation of some press releases which have been issued by the DCLG since the election. Whilst Irene Lucas has graciously apologised to Mr Denham, I still can't believe that such an issue has been made of it anyway. I... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Now, I know things are bad at the moments but let's not get carried away and start selling off the 'family jewels'! Although rumours of assets being sold off by Birmingham City Council have been strenuously denied, it is still worrying that people are even considering this as a possibility and I applaud the council for putting these... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I have a problem with those who say that the public sector needs to match the private sector in terms of wages just to get the best talent. It seems to me that this is exactly the same argument applied to MPs whenever any reductions to their pay and expenses are suggested, but I simply do not think that this is true. There are plenty... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT At the moment the public sector in Britain faces the greatest challenge it has come up against since the winter of discontent. So surely that means that we have to work together and not just keep arguing about what is going to happen? We all know that cuts have to be made, so surely both management and front line staff need to be... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT There is no doubt that local government is going to have to share some of the pain resulting from the economic crisis. The announcement by the Local Government Association that councils face overall shortfalls of up to £20 billion stands as testament to this. But what is important is that all workers within the public sector... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Forget using consultants who cost the earth to design community services – why not just ask local people what they want? Not only will this be much, much cheaper, it means that people will actually get the community services that they desire. That means happier people and more money. Could you ask for more? Tell us... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I fail to see why how the unions dare make mention of the transgressions of bankers, when it is the government - along with the wider public sector - which is as much to blame for Britain's current financial malaise. And the public know that. Whilst the banks have been bailed out - costing the tax payer potentially hundreds of... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT There has been a lot of talk about how public services need to be protected. And they do. But that doesn't mean that the government should pay for staff or services which are simply not needed. Whilst I can see how upsetting it must be for some who face losing their job because of cut backs, I also detest the way in which the... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I was disappointed, but not surprised, to hear all of the sabre rattling coming from the public sector unions. What the country needs to be doing is concentrating on improving our productivity as a nation, which will in turn allow for higher public spending. Encouraging individuals to run around in fancy dress costumes causing a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I think that the public will find it quite hard to stomach the idea of paying more for services when they know that their hard earned cash is being spent on union representatives for the staff who now want more public money to provide services which many won't even use. Councils are here to provide core services and if there is not enough... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Isn't funny how when in the past it was the public who were having their phones tapped, many Labour politicians came out in favour of such measures, mostly citing the needs of national security. Did Gordon Brown call for listening devices in lamp posts once. But now that it has emerged that a couple of reporters may have been bugging... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am glad to hear that Sir Bob Kerslake has been given the job of permanent secretary to the Department of Communities and Local Government. After achieving much both during his time in local government and at the HCA, Sir Bob's experience of local government will prove invaluable to the DCLG. Let's hope that he keeps up the good... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Voters should now be under no illusions as to what to expect from the Labour Party from now on. Their union masters have made it very clear that if the party does not bend to their whims, then the funding goes and so does the Labour Party. Although, perhaps if the unions were required to pay the wages of their council representatives... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Much has been made of David Cameron's use of this phrase – a multimillionaire telling this to a bankrupt nation was never going to go down well. However, considering that many council bosses earn far more than Mr Cameron and are currently sacking thousands of council workers, I am surprised that we have not heard similar drivel... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Along with being greatly amused by some of the suggestions which have been posted on the website, I have begun to think that Treasury's Spending Challenge website - where the public are asked for ideas as to how the government should save money - is an idea which could be rolled out to councils. At the moment there seems to be an almost... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst the Labour party leadership candidates are busy squabbling over who can wear the reddest tie, the coalition government was busy giving back rights to the people. However, although I feel that it is a good idea to get rid of silly and outdated local laws - such as the regulation of fish frying "and other offensive trades" in... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Last week David Miliband was caught out whilst trying to bolster support for his leadership campaign with the party faithful. As a transparent attempt to curry favour with his supporters in Norwich council, he said that he was backing the council's bid to become a unitary. All well and good. However, when asked whether he would make it... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT Whilst this is a question which many of us have asked ourselves in our more contemplative moments, it is a question which is now going to have to be asked by councils throughout the land. Reading a report this week which said that councils were worried about a lack of attendance at libraries made me think – if no-one wants to use a... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT The government's announcement that councils are to be put in charge of service improvements has stirred mixed feelings in me. Whilst I am very happy that local people will be able to make local decisions, it was this specific line in the government's press release which worried me: "Under new proposals, the Local Government... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT I was utterly disgusted to hear talk of public sector strikes over pension payments. If you are a public servant, then you must act exactly in that way - it means putting the needs of the public before your self. It is simply part of the job. Public sector workers have enjoyed many perks over years including key worker discounts on... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT One might have thought that given the current economic situation that local authorities might have actually been working to bring employment to their areas. Given that regional development agencies are soon to be disbanded, one might have imagined that councils would have been falling over themselves to make their areas as attractive as... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT I had to chuckle when reading David Prentis' response to the Knox D'Arcy report on public sector productivity. To claim that public sector productivity has been rising since 2006, when the government's own figures directly contradict that statement, was indicative of the kind of blasé attitude which many in the public sector... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT It’s more than 100 years since Friedrich Engels wrote about the poverty and squalour in which many inhabitants of Victorian Manchester were living in The Condition of the Working Class in England and twelve since an IRA bomb exploded outside Marks and Spencer. The bomb did not quite rip the heart out of Manchester city centre, but gave... http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/ 452 http://www.publicsectorexecutive.com:80/ Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT