News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 9th September 2015

Just to remind you of the combined authority calendar, all submissions had to be in last Friday (4^th Sept), with announcements of successful proposals (roll of drums, followed by a tense pause) in the spending review on the 25^thNovember.

This following article speaks volumes about the complex, devolution decision-making in localities on the border of two or more potential combined authority deals. Harrogate in Yorkshire is in that dilemma. Do they join the Leeds City Deal (offering shiny new transport systems and new adventure), or an East Yorkshire Regional deal (offering close family ties, Yorkshire tea and beautiful scenery)?

Yorkshire Devolution: Everything you need to know about Harrogate’s dilemma

As the deadline looms for Yorkshire’s devolution proposals, the Harrogate district looks set to be choosing between the big city region of Leeds or the rural North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire region. Read more >>>

You can read a detailed background to the devolution activity at www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN06649.pdf   

Hundreds of collaborative transformation project managers will be required to roll out the combined authority/city deals and Collaborative Transformation Practitioners - CTPrac™ and Collaborative Transformation Architects - CTArc™ will have the toolkits to deliver. Below the news are the dates of the next practitioner programmes to turbo-charge your CV.

Here is more news on the public sector world of collaborative transformation and shared services…

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Local Government

Deadline looms for devolution deals

Councils are today submitting their devolution plans to the government ahead of the Treasury’s deadline for proposals. Read more >>>

Call for new approaches in devolved transport decision making

New and more flexible approaches are needed in the way decision makers assess transport infrastructure plans in the light of devolution, a new report has suggested. Read more >>>

Scottish councils submit £1bn city region deal

The proposals aim to secure £1bn of funding and boost the local economy for the region. The councils aim to grow on current strengths, in the knowledge economy, culture and technology. Read more >>>

Warwickshire County Council rejects combined authority

Warwickshire county councillors have voted against joining the West Midlands Combined Authority. They have decided to continue to explore a closer working relationship between the council and Coventry. Read more >>>

West Yorkshire council leaders agree on devolution bid

George Osborne’s plans for a networked “northern powerhouse” of English city regions have received a boost after council leaders in West Yorkshire said they would bid for Leeds to join Manchester as having devolved economic powers. Read more >>>

Councils warn of reaching financial ‘tipping point’

Councils across the country have warned they must make savings ‘significantly’ more than originally planned, and are bracing themselves for further cuts following the upcoming spending review. Read more >>>

London boroughs plan joint ICT service

Two London boroughs have announced plans to launch a shared ICT service, under proposals meant to save £4m a year. Read more >>>

'Team North Wales' can help region to thrive

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) believes that working on a regional level is key to unlocking the area’s potential. Read more >>>

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Housing

I really like this announcement for what it seems to imply, but doesn’t say…

Merger Discussions Paused

In February 2015, we announced we would begin exclusive talks with Symphony Housing Group to investigate the possible advantages of a merger. Read more >>>

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Blue Light Transformation

Councillor demands answers on emergency services' shared headquarters proposals

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service’s decision to look at a shared headquarters with the police force has been scrutinised by a Winsford councillor. Read more >>>

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News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 26th August 2015

After a summer break I am back with more collaboration news headlines to support your learning in collaborative working in the public sector.

Over the next five years, combined authorities, city deals, health & social care, CCG restructures, blue light integration, academy partnerships and shared service working will require thousands of leaders and project managers with skills in collaborative leadership and collaborative transformation.

SSA is at the heart of all those activities and will continue to support you in developing your skills to deliver on collaborative working, through our learning programmes, accredited recognition and online tools, templates and techniques.

Here are relevant headlines from the last couple of weeks; learning events to improve your CV and job adverts…

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Improving your collaborative leadership

Are you a collaborative leader?

Collaborative leaders have vision, commitment and confidence. They’re traits that foster high achievement, says William Buist. Read more >>>

Great Leaders Don't Have Followers: They Collaborate

I was asked recently about my leadership style and what makes a great leader. As Peter Drucker said years ago, stable times require excellence and good management. Read more >>>

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Blue Light Transformation

South West could see police and fire services under PCC control, as ministers move forward with plans

New Government proposals could see South West fire and police services sharing vehicles, offices and response efforts as they come under the joint control of police chiefs. Read more >>>

Southern police forces to offer shared £120m ERP opportunity

Proposed ERP platform could replace existing Oracle ERP system in Surrey; SAP in Sussex; and a mix of systems in Thames Valley Police. Read more >>>

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Local Government

Councillors clash in heated debate on outsourcing Worcester bin collections to private firm

Warring city councillors clashed during a heated debate on the planned outsourcing of bin collections across Worcester to a private firm. Read more >>>

Coventry chamber backs new West Midlands combined authority

Plans for a new West Midlands Combined Authority have been backed by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. Read more >>>

Scottish councils urge businesses to back £1bn City Region bid

A £1bn City Region deal is being developed for Edinburgh and South East Scotland in a bid to accelerate economic growth in the region. Read more >>>

West Suffolk councils launch commercial joint venture

Two West Suffolk councils have set up a new joint venture company to deliver facilities management services. Read more >>>

This next item makes for an interesting read as a shared service is curtailed and brought back in house by a district council. Divorces do happen…

Tunbridge Wells taxpayers hit with £150k bill for 'farcical' council u-turn

The deputy mayor of Tunbridge Wells has said a borough council U-turn over its planning services is a "farce" which cost the area's taxpayers £150,000. Read more >>>

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News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 1st July 2015

What are you doing at 5pm on 21^st July 2015?

If you are free, you and colleagues are invited to the London launch of the Postgraduate Certificate in Collaborative Transformation by Gary Porter, the new Chairman of the Local Government Association and Rob Whiteman, Chief Executive of CIPFA. The first module is underpinned by our Shared Service Practitioner three day programme.

The nice thing is that Cllr Porter, Leader of South Holland District Council, was one of the first students to graduate from the Postgraduate Certificate in Shared Services (PCSS), the forerunner of the new Postgraduate Certificate in Collaborative Transformation (PCCT).

Gary is also an SSA fellow for his contribution to building the body of knowledge on shared service and collaborative working in local government.

If you would like to join us, or find out more about the Postgraduate Certificate in Collaborative Transformation, please email wim.van-vuuren@canterbury.ac.uk. Wim is the Programme Director and will respond to your email.

There is no news update over the next couple of weeks whilst I am on leave. Here is this week’s news and comment…

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Improving your collaborative leadership

The practice of system leadership | The King's Fund

System leaders often do not see themselves as such, believing that any successes they achieve are due to working behind the scenes rather than leading from the front. But given the unprecedented challenges facing the NHS, the system needs leaders who can motivate staff and managers to work differently, across service and organisational boundaries. Read more >>>

How HR can develop 'systems leaders'

Public sector leaders have traditionally adopted a ‘heroic’ approach to leadership. Think of ‘super heads’ tasked with turning around a failing school. Read more >>>

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Collaborative Health

Health secretary can overrule devolved health and social care decisions

Decisions made by Greater Manchester under their devolved health and social care powers could be overturned by the Health Secretary if he disagrees with them, according to a government minister. Read more >>>

Mental health workers protest at move to integrate clinic with jobcentre

Mental health workers and their clients marched on a jobcentre in south-west London in protest at a scheme they say frames unemployment as a psychological disorder. Read more >>>

Report: £5.2bn needed to overhaul health and social care system

The Government has been urged to divert £1.3bn a year into a transformation fund to help the shift towards a new prevention-focused health and social care system. Read more >>>

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Blue Light Transformation

Collaboration takes next step to meet £56m funding shortfall

Two collaboration projects between three forces are being progressed following a meeting of chief constables and police and crime commissioners this week. Read more >>>

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Local Government

Councils face £3.3bn cut in funding

The Local Government Association warned that councils will have to make "significant" savings on top of previous spending cuts. Read more >>>

Review into government shared services – 480 jobs safeguarded and better value for Victorians

The Andrews Labor Government will implement a new approach to the establishment and management of shared business support services in the Victorian Government, which includes the saving of 480 CenITex jobs. Read more >>>

Hertfordshire County Council launches library mobile app

Hertfordshire County Council has launched a smartphone application for the county’s library services so that residents can keep up to date with local services. Read more >>>

London Roadshow showcases Home Office Xtreme Agile Delivery

Public sector organisations are under pressure to accelerate digital transformation, improve citizen experience and make services more efficient, all within a climate of financial austerity. Read more >>>

Wandsworth and Richmond to merge staff

Wandsworth and Richmond Councils have unveiled a new single senior management team - the first major step in plans for a shared workforce serving both boroughs. Read more >>>

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