Big Ideas: Building on Conservative Fundamentals

Innovation in Local Government

Author: Edited by James Morris and Natalie Evans   |   01/09/2008

The need for innovation in local government has never been greater. Councils are faced with tight grant settlements and unprecedented economic nd social challenges. Council tax bills are the third highest monthly bill after housing bills and fuel bills. As the credit crunch bites and the cost of living rises remorselessly, Conservative councils must deliver high quality local services at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. This report from Localis in colloboration with the Conservative Councils Innovation Unit explores some of the big ideas emerging from Conservative’s in local government and looks to learn lessons from the experience of successful Conservative Councils across the country. The book contains contributions from a range of Conservative Council leaders, policy analyst and perspectives from social enterprises and charities who are currently working with local authorities to deliver services in new and innovative ways.

This booklet by Localis and the Conservative Councils Innovation Unit which aims to highlight some of the good work happening within Conservative controlled Councils at the local level. This publication has contributions from Council Leaders, the private sector and the voluntary sector. In the foreward by Eric Pickles, he says “True localism means empowering our communities by trusting our Councils” and that “Much good work is being done, but we need to accelerate that work and quicken the pace of improvement”. It is in this regard that this booklet, ‘Big Ideas’, aims to uncover good practice and hopefully spread it accross the Country.