Just as tacking on extra memory to computers cannot work forever, so councils, too, need to review their systems says Stephen Weigel

Like me, many people in the UK have a computer at home and at work. This has become an essential and integral part of my working and home life, with the ability to communicate with family and friends across the world.

Over time, my home PC has gradually taken longer to boot up, runs more slowly, and has more error messages. Do I upgrade or get a new computer?

By far the best option has to be to invest in a new system – a totally new PC with a far more efficient and faster processor, and the latest software which is more compatible with new hardware.

So, why am I writing about computers?

I recently attended a round table panel meeting where chief executives from the South East region met to consider the future of local government in the context of shared services and budget savings.

Strangely, the debates and comments on the future of local government and what I was thinking about doing with my personal computer seemed related.

Until now, many of us have managed our councils with the support of councillors, residents and businesses in the same way a computer is maintained – we have implemented continuous upgrades and improvements, although retained the system.

I cannot help, but think this time round, with cuts of 27% or more being proposed over four years, it is time for a radical ‘upgrade’ to achieve a far more efficient and effective local government, fit to deliver the quality and types of services needed in future.

Just as upgrades require research about what to buy and how much to spend, we need to consider what is best for our local services

While local government has a good track record of delivering quality services and efficiency, our history of shared and integrated service delivery is perhaps not as impressive.

Now is the time to up the stakes and consider a new approach to the delivery of local government. As with my PC, if this radical approach is not taken, I fear local government will have reduced support and credibility and even worse, miss this opportunity in a way that puts the organisation at risk of surviving the future.

Stephen Weigel is chief executive, Tandridge DC