News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 14th October 2015

If you would like to update your understanding of the implications of combined authority and devolution working, then the new Grant Thornton & Localis practical guide for leaders will interest you.

Making Devolution Work

To quote William Eichler’ article in LocalGov: The report does, however, bring to light several misunderstandings about what central government expects to see. While Whitehall wishes to see ‘innovation’, only one in every nine local government stakeholders interviewed thought local public sector innovation was a vital priority for the government.

Central government also wants to see a unity of purpose between public sector actors in the devolutionary process. But, according to Localis’ findings, less than one in seven survey respondents believe the government view ‘long term collaboration with other public sector bodies’ is of vital importance.

Another misunderstanding concerns fiscal devolution. Almost half (47%) of the survey respondents believe it will happen inside this parliament and a further 33% think it will happen within the next parliament. But the reality is, despite business rate devolution, further devolution of other taxes or tax raising powers is not on the agenda, and councils do not have autonomy to borrow money against anticipated tax receipts to invest in new infrastructure.

Here is the rest of this week’s news, collaborative leadership and transformation events and job vacancies…

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Local Government

District councils should lead the way in the new devolutionary landscape

District councils should lead the way in ensuring devolution delivers improved services and outcomes for people and places through better collaboration, according to a new report. Read more >>>

Cheshire councils take ICT services back in house

Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils have decided to take ICT, finance and HR services back in-house. Read more >>>

Council leaders welcome chancellors devolution revolution but problems remain

Local government leaders are positive about further devolution, but big challenges remain according to new research. Read more >>>

Associations should consider sharing CEOs, says Lewis

Speaking to Inside Housing at the Conservative Party conference on Tuesday, the housing minister signalled he believes the sector has too many chief executives. Read more >>>

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FE/HE

New 'group structure' proposed for universities and colleges in South-East Wales

Universities and colleges in South-East Wales have been asked to consider the development of a new ‘group structure’ bringing together further and higher education in the region. Read more >>>

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ICT

FIELD NATIONAL CONVENTION development company

Increase the efficiency of municipal operations through national cooperation. Get Access to pre-competed, operations support and enhance ICT solutions. Read more >>>

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