News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 7th October 2015

Devolution is getting a bit serious, now that the Sheffield agreement has been signed. The Chancellor’s agenda wanders into uncharted collaborative territory and there is huge responsibility sitting on the shoulders of the councillors and mayors who will be steering these multi-billion pound, combined authorities juggernauts.

Academic and practical experience indicate that it will be much easier for them to go wrong, than be successful if collaborative behaviours are not fostered.

That is why they will need you as a collaborative transformation professional. This could be the moment for you, as an SSA, or CTArc or CTPrac, to step forward and volunteer for a once in a lifetime, roller-coaster opportunity to lead, or work in, a collaboration project.

In that context, you may want to reflect on these news items…

New devolution deal for Sheffield

A new devolution deal has been signed with civic leaders from South Yorkshire as part of the government’s Northern Powerhouse plan. Read more >>>

Caring for Greater Manchester together - Power plan for Greater Manchester's health devolution

Major step forward for Devo Manc: Greater Manchester announces shared plan for £6 billion health and social care funding. Read more >>>

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Local Government

Tories call for referendums to decide council mergers

Councils would only be merged in Wales if residents approved plans in a local referendum, under plans launched by the Welsh Conservatives. Read more >>>

Report proposes shared commercial waste service to increase market share

A report to be considered at the city council’s Environment Scrutiny Committee on 6 October outlines how Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District working together could improve the service for recycling customers’ business waste and become more competitive to gain market share. Read more >>>

West Suffolk Councils outline savings to fill £2.96 million budget gaps

Two councils which have combined ‘usable reserves’ of £58.37 million have outlined savings to help meet their £2.96 million budget gaps for the next financial year. Read more >>>

 

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Blue Light Transformation

Assembly rings alarm bells over Met outsourcing

Metropolitan Police plans to contract out services to the private sector present huge risks, the London Assembly warned today. Read more >>>

Cheshire fire service to vote on police ICT link-up

Constabulary and fire and rescue bodies may approve full governance strategy for single back-office support functions including HR and ICT by year's end. Read more >>>

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