Think-tank predicts fundamental change in local government
Author: Information Daily |
Local government is about to undergo a drastic change in the way it operates, according to the think-tank Localis.
The local government think-tank has produced a report titled ‘Catalyst Councils’ arguing that councils will become less centralised. Localis thinks that councils will now work alongside a network of bodies from the public, private, and third sectors.
Alex Thomson, chief executive of Localis, said, ?This report describes some of the innovative approaches councils are working on and highlights some barriers to success that need to be tackled.?
The report was jointly produced with Capita Symonds, and finds that more than a third of council leaders and executives believe that a third party could deliver local services without there being any disruption.
‘Catalyst Councils’ also reveals that more than 65% of councils have said that they work with third parties because they have benefitted from external expertise.
That local government is recognising the importance of working with third parties is sure to change the way in which they operate. The report argues that this will in turn change the very nature of service delivery in the UK.
The study demonstrates councils’ two-fold need for skills ? with more than two thirds of council chiefs saying that making use of external expertise and skills was a major reason for working with partners. However, councils have also indicated that they would like to expand their commissioning skills to effectively build up a network of service providers.
Hence, the report calls for the Government and the LGA to establish a ‘Commission on Better Commissioning’ which could close the commissioning skills gap across the public sector by training up public service commissioners, and helping them to understand what they can and cannot do with regard to e.g. EU procurement directives.
Christian Rogers, director of Capita Symonds, said, ?This research provides a template for the future of public service delivery. It demonstrates how councils can use innovative models to respond to – and solve – the myriad challenges they face in these difficult economic times.?