Paul Wheeler 27 September 2009

Soap Box

Local government can be proud of the interest shown in the Total Place project by the wider public sector.

The desire to influence how the totality of public spending impacts localities is a long-standing one. Indeed, Blackburn can take justifiable credit in raising this issue almost a decade ago.
There is also a body of evidence which already exists on the potentially-huge financial and service benefits of cross-sector working. So let’s use the next six months to focus on key issues
The language of the last 12 years has been about partnership, but we need to recognise that we have created substantial institutional and professional barriers to effective partnership working. Powerful local organisations in health, housing and economic regeneration with direct funding streams from Whitehall departments have little incentive to work together. So how do we provide the incentives, and how can local organisations retain any savings made locally on a far greater scale than currently available. At a time of public austerity, the only hope for high levels of public service is through ruthless concentration on joint working and delivery, with clear and effective local political leadership.
And that is what will differentiate the Total Place project from all previous initiatives. Hard as it is after a decade of partnerships and executive programmes, we have to stop calling managers leaders with consequent confusion about accountability, and recognise that decision-making at this level is a political process.
This is not to denigrate the contribution that senior managers make. It is more that we have to recognise that decentralisation of power is a political struggle.
Over coming years, the public will want to know what they are getting for the levels of public spending that the Total Place project research reveals, and how they can influence choices made. It will require a huge cultural and political change to encourage political parties to select local political leaders capable and willing to take the decisions needed to make Total Place a reality.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner