Councils are being invited to join a scheme to help them use design techniques to improve the services they offer.

Design in the Public Sector, developed by the Design Council and funded by the Local Government Association (LGA), supports teams to explore the needs and wants of their residents.

Participants will develop key skills and capabilities to embed new ways of working across the sector in a sustainable and long-lasting way.

Peter Fleming, chairman of the LGA improvement and innovation board, said: 'Councils are best-placed to deliver and lead on services.

'Design in the Public Sector equips councils with design skills and techniques to apply to their toughest service challenges.

'Working with Design Council, participants refocus their challenge around the resident and as a result are more likely to develop more user appropriate systems and services.

'Despite losing 60p from every £1 in Government funding since 2010, councils continue to demonstrate initiative and efficiency to deliver excellent and essential services to their residents.'