Mark Whitehead 10 August 2017

Funding announced to foster innovation in public services

A community gardening scheme, improvements in ambulance services and a plan to tackle the effects of climate change are among projects aimed at fostering public sector innovation in Wales.

Local innovators are to be funded from a £5m Innovate to Save fund to tackle 'pressing social challenges' and save money.

It is run by innovation foundation Nesta, Cardiff University and Wales Council for Voluntary Action and funded by the Welsh Government.

The Grow Cardiff project will help local people engage in community gardening to support their health and well-being, while a collaboration between the Welsh Ambulance Service, local authorities and other public bodies in North Wales will aim to streamline non-emergency patient transport.

A community interest company will be set up in the coastal village of Fairbourne in Gwynedd, which is at risk of flooding caused by climate change, to examine new ways of using housing stock.

Welsh minister, Mark Drakeford, said: 'At a time of reducing budgets, we must all think and work differently if we are to maintain the level of public services people require.

'These eight projects will receive support through our Innovate to Save fund to collaborate with other organisations and bring forward innovative pilots.

'Not only will these generate savings which can be re-invested but they will improve services and outcomes for people across Wales.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Market Quality & Sustainability

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£67,290 - £70,710
Royal Greenwich Integrated Commissioning are looking for a skilled and experienced leader Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Programme Officer - WMF1088e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£35,745 - £36,648
The Capital Programme team is responsible for the core delivery of the Council’s c.£60m/year Capital Programme Cumbria / Countywide
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Asylum Lead Officer - WMF1080e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£33,945 - £34,834
Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to supporting asylum seekers Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Locality Officer Level 3 WMF1091e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£32,076 - £33,024
Westmorland and Furness Council is an ambitious authority. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Head of Commissioning Management

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £59,559 - £65,327
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.