Reform and Personalisation of Public Services
Achieving significant change in public services is one of the most significant barriers to reform of the political system. People expect public services to be publicly funded, and they expect that there is equalisation in the provision of those services. One observation however, is that over many years the productivity of public services has reduced, and the cost and level of public expenditure has increased. Localis argues that there are fundamental reasons why this is the case, and that we need to explore other politically feasible options for the reform of public services. One option is to explore the idea of community ownership of public services. Another option is to create public services which place the end user in charge of the services they use. We believe that this can only be achieved through choice of service providers and freedom to choose through individual budgets. Localis also argues that the traditional commissioning role of Councils needs to be challenged - and need to work in new and innovative ways which deliver value for the community, not just value for money.
6 Projects
Localising the benefits system
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Localised Benefits[May 26, 2010 - Publications - Policy Platform]In this Policy Platform we discuss how a localised benefits system could work, and what positives and challenges it entails.
Localised Benefits: A viable alternative approach?[Feb 2, 2010 - Publications - Discussion Note]This is a note following a roundtable discussion hosted by Localis and Essex County Council considering the merits of the current benefits system and the potential alternatives. Lord Hanningfield, Strategic Leader of Essex County Council, introduced and concluded the session, with a wide ranging dis
Sutton, E-Benefits[Dec 2, 2009 - Toolkits]The London Borough of Sutton seeks to transform the housing and council tax benefit claim process through e-enabled claiming only. Sutton wishes to help customers access housing and council tax benefits by removing the need to complete lengthy complex application forms and by offering a choice of a
Should benefit rates be localised?[Nov 30, 2009 - Events]This roundtable discussion considered the merits of the current benefits system and the potential alternatives. It was held jointly by Localis and Essex County Council
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Plan to set local benefit levels[Sep 6, 2009 - The Guardian]Controversial plans to decentralise the welfare state by giving councils the right to set their own regional levels of benefit rates are being considered by the Tories
The total approach in the delivery of public services
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Strategic Commissioning Is The Future[Oct 12, 2011 - Localis In The News]A vast majority of councils in England and Wales are looking at the strategic commissioning approach - its not just outsourcing - but an opportunity to support the third sector and cooperatives.
Whilst the recent constraints on government finance have attracted much attention, there is broad consen
Pledging support[Oct 6, 2011 - Localis In The News]I could not choose a ‘best’ example of localism in action from across the UK – there are so many – but the London Borough of Barnet’s PledgeBank is as good as any.
PledgeBank is an online facility that allows residents to pledge support for local initiatives, such as helping to clean graffiti off
Commission Impossible?[Sep 28, 2011 - Publications]Localis in association with Mears and Essex County Council have produced a report on the future role of councils as strategic commissioners.
Majority of councils adopt strategic commissioning role[Sep 28, 2011 - Localis In The News]More than 80% of councils are planning to take on a strategic commissioning role for the delivery of local services, according to Localis.
Future of Local Public Services[Sep 28, 2011 - Localis In The News]80% of councils are considering taking a greater strategic commissioning role in the delivery of local public services in the near future, in order to meet the challenges of unprecedented financial squeeze faced by English local authorities, according to a report published by Localis, in partnership
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PM to 'end state's monopoly' over public services[Jul 12, 2011 - Polly Curtis, the Guardian]David Cameron has unveiled plans to end the era of "old fashioned" delivery of public services by allowing almost all of them to be opened up to competition from the private and voluntary sector.
Sector confidence over services improves[May 6, 2011 - Allister Hayman (Local Government Chronicle)]Councils’ assurance that they can safeguard their key services has improved significantly in recent months, LGC’s latest confidence survey has found.
Local pilots explore potential of cross-sector collaboration[Nov 11, 2010 - James Illman, Local Government Chronicle]A group of councils is to submit radical proposals to the Treasury detailing how a shake-up of capital spending rules and estate management could save some £50bn across the public sector.
Community ownership of public services
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The Icing on the Community Cake[Oct 20, 2011 - Localis In The News]The Big Society means different things to different people. Many stress its civic activism, others the 'nudges' the Government may have to make to facilitate its successful execution while some have concentrated on how it will play out in times of constrained financial circumstance.
Community ownership must be the focus of Miliband’s Labour [Oct 10, 2011 - Localis In The News]Consensus is building that Labour needs a policy hook beyond “too far, too fast.” It is clear what they are against – be it perceived excessive privatisation of the NHS, swingeing spending cuts across the board, and specific reforms in areas from pensions to planning – but not yet clear what they st
Barnet Banks on Big Society[Jun 16, 2011 - Localis In The News]London's 'easy council' Barnet has set up a Big Society Innovation Bank and is inviting residents and not-for-profit community groups to bid for funding local projects.
The 'Big Easy' - Barnet's Big Society[Jun 16, 2011 - Localis In The News]The Big Society has garnered more than its fair share of headlines over the last couple of years, but what does it mean for local government? In the first of a series of pamphlets, Localis is publishing ‘Barnet’s Big Society’.
Barnet's Big Society[Jun 16, 2011 - Publications]Localis have published the first in a series of pamphlets on the Big Society. Barnet's Big Society: a practical perspective from local government, a collaborative effort between Localis and Barnet, outlines Barnet's interpretation of the Big Society and what it means for local government, and highli
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Cameron in bid to defend Big Society[Feb 15, 2011 - Local Government Chronicle]David Cameron has attempted to breathe new life into his much-criticised Big Society initiative, declaring that it is his “mission in politics” to make it succeed.
DCLG unveils ‘local budgets’ pilots[Oct 26, 2010 - James Illman, Local Government Chronicle]Twenty areas are to investigate the scope for “budgets focused at a very local level” and community-designed-and-delivered services, ministers have announced.
Four councils pilot community-based budgeting[Oct 6, 2010 - Sarah Townsend, Regen.net]Government's Big Society adviser Lord Wei reveals that community-based budgeting is being piloted in four council areas
Customer driven public services
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Helping Problem Families[Feb 15, 2011 - Publications - Policy Platform]A pivotal aspect of a shift to genuine localism, or ‘Total Place Lite’? The contributions to this Policy Platform by Peter Martin, Leader of Essex County Council, and Chris Williamson, Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, outline both views on the Coali
David Cameron adopts Localis idea of using measure of wellbeing to steer government policy[Nov 17, 2010 - Localis In The News]The government is planning to use a happiness index to steer government policy, a move Localis has advocated in past publications including 'Small State, Big Society'
Family Recovery in Westminster City Council[Aug 7, 2009 - Publications - Discussion Note]This is a note following a roundtable discussion hosted by Localis and Westminster City Council looking into improving joined-up action and early intervention for ‘families at risk’. Colin Barrow, Leader of Westminster City Council, introduced the session, which was followed by a wide ranging discus
Family Recovery[Jun 2, 2009 - Events]
Allowing Children to chair their Statutory Reviews[Mar 17, 2009 - Toolkits]Improving the involvement of Looked After Children through chairing their own statutory reviews—helping to develop a sense of self worth.
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Cameron pledges public sector sell-off plans[Feb 21, 2011 - Local Government Chronicle]Almost all public services could be opened up to private companies under plans being put forward by David Cameron.
Government care ‘vision’ underscores commitment to personalisation[Nov 16, 2010 - Jim Dunton, Local Government Chronicle]The government has set a target for councils to offer personal budgets to one million social care service users by 2013 as part of its vision for social care, unveiled today.
Maude launches pathfinder mutuals[Aug 12, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]A dozen ‘pathfinder mutuals’ in which entrepreneurial public sector staff take control of local services have been announced by Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude.
Reform of the Adult Social Care System
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Care will be free under plan[Mar 30, 2010 - The Times]Elderly people who have been in residential care for two years will have the costs paid for the rest of their lives under Labour plans to reshape the welfare state, The Times has learnt
'Trailblazer' councils named[Feb 25, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]Eight authorities - or groups of councils - have been named to take part in the next stage of personalised budgets for disabled people. The ‘trailblazer’ areas will be testing the Right To Control initiative which aims to give disabled adults more choice and control over the state funding they rece
Councils weigh in on care[Feb 16, 2010 - Daily Express]Councils yesterday stepped up opposition to the Government’s promise of free care at home for the elderly. The surprise pledge made by Gordon Brown last year was criticised for cutting across efforts to find a way of funding elderly care, which have sparked fury by raising the prospect of a so-call
Reform of the education system and services for young people
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Investing in Young People[Oct 8, 2010 - Publications - Discussion Note]This discussion note follows a panel event and workshop organised in conjunction with the Prince's Trust about the future of services for young people.
Shaping a Modern Education System[Jan 27, 2010 - Events]This roundtable discussion focussed on the role of local authorities in a modern education system. The discussion focussed on the current problems and what the ideal secondary education model should resemble.
What role should Councils have in the school system?[Dec 19, 2009 - Localis In The News]Cllr Andrew Povey, the leader of Surrey County Council, makes the point that often when we talk of "choice" within the current system we mean "preference.
Local Government and Schools[Dec 18, 2009 - Publications - Policy Platform]In this edition of Policy Platform we discuss what the future role of local government in the education system should be. This is a topic which has divided opinion in the past, so we have assembled three leading thinkers in this field to discuss the topic to establish what the fault lines are, and h
Wayout in Gateshead[May 7, 2009 - Toolkits]Way out in Gateshead (WinG) trains young people to become voluntary instructors in outdoor settings - contributing to all five ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes.
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Councils' education merger is hailed a first[Jun 29, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]Two London councils are to merge their education services departments in the first deal of its kind in the country.
Scrap education quangos and save £600m[Aug 13, 2009 - The Guardian]More than £600m a year could be shaved off England's schools budget by scrapping some of the biggest education quangos, the Centre for Policy Studies has calculated.
School place lotteries could be scrapped [Mar 2, 2009 - Daily Telegraph]Admissions lotteries being used by some of the best schools in the country could be scrapped after being criticised as "unfair" by the Schools Secretary
