News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 23rd September 2015

Blue light transformation is gathering pace with the announcement by the Prime Minister last week that PCCs may be given the powers to take on fire and rescue in addition to police. Although the idea of a precept raising PCC taking on their local FRS is not new, one of the key barriers has been the lack of primary legislation to make it easier to do. With the 2016 PCC elections next year, this is set to become a hot topic.

We facilitated some of the discussions between Suffolk PCC and Suffolk Council late last year on Suffolk FRS being transferred to the PCC, so have experience in how to lead collaborative discussions in this space. What I found really interesting, was the idea of adding community safety, trading standards and licensing into the PCC’s bag too. Here are two good articles that capture the PCC & blue light transformation story…

Bumpy ride to Blue Light amalgamation

Ambitious plans go beyond past failed shared services schemes. A 20-year-old dream of amalgamating emergency services’ command and control systems… Read more >>>

Cheshire fire and police services consider having joint HQ

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is considering selling its Winsford HQ in a plan that would create a joint police-fire headquarters at the nearby Cheshire Constabulary main base. Read more >>>

Here is the rest of this week’s news, with a number of health and social care issues bubbling up…

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Local Government

Fairer funding and powers will unlock 80bn boost to economy says LGA

Shifting power and funding to local areas will boost England’s economy by at least £80bn, according to council leaders. Read more >>>

Job share for Peterborough City Council’s chief executive moves closer to completion

Cambridgeshire County Council, which wants to share Gillian Beasley with Peterborough for 12 months, has said progress is being made towards a temporary arrangement between the authorities. Read more >>>

LocalGovCamp considers councils' shared platform and data challenges

Saturday's 'unconference' brought together stakeholders from across local central and government to look at direction for specialist digital services and collaboration. Read more >>>

Union and councillors question Adur and Worthing chief executive’s potential £21,000 pay rise

Adur and Worthing councils chief executive Alex Bailey could receive a £21,000 pay rise – bringing his salary to £125,000. Read more >>>

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Health

The fragile care market will collapse unless councils act quickly

In Shropshire and North Tyneside, new approaches to front-end soc older people, people with a learning disability and people with a physical disability. Read more >>>ial care are being tried to reduce the burden on traditional services. Read more >>>

Tricuro social care organisation launched by trio of Dorset councils

The largest of its kind in the UK, Tricuro delivers high-quality care for Dorset residents – including

Is health and care transformation possible? And, if so, what is needed to make this happen?

We need to be more like an iPhone. This bold statement, made with the understanding that other forms of mobile communication device are available, was made at an event we held last week.. Read more >>>

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International

Big Savings from Councils' Co-Operation

Collective local government savings worth millions of dollars have already been achieved, and more will be delivered, through collaborative arrangements between the 12 councils of the Waikato region, says a new report. Read more >>>

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