Laura Sharman 06 October 2020

Councils need 'right culture, skills and systems' for commercial strategies

Councils must have the right culture, skills and systems to unlock the benefits and mitigate the risks of commercialisation, a report has concluded today.

Published by the Auditor General for Wales, the report identifies the seven building blocks for an effective commercial approach

This includes agreeing what commercialisation means for the council, evaluating their current performance, and understanding the impact of commercial choices on residents.

The report states: ‘If the approach to commercialisation is not well managed or does not deliver what is intended, it can also place the council’s financial health at risk. And the more a council adopts a commercial mind-set, the more it pushes beyond its comfort zone and management of risk.’

Auditor General, Adrian Crompton, said: ‘Should councils decide to invest in commercial opportunities, they need to be clear what the benefits are for the council, local people and the wider community. Being open about where money is being invested and the benefits this will bring is essential to get buy in from stakeholders.’

The Auditor General for Wales has also published a report today examining how local government finances have coped with the pandemic.

It found that Welsh councils have coped well so far partly due to the level of reserves held, but there is future uncertainty on how the financial challenge will be met in the future.

Making payment processes smarter  image

Making payment processes smarter

It can be challenging to find the right software to streamline payment processes. Lewis McKenna-Crisp argues SmarterPay has the ideal solution for councils.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner