Small is beautiful claims thinktank report
Author: Local Government Chronicle - May 19, 2010
Massively reducing the size of the public sector in the face of the nation’s economic challenges does not have to spell doom for services orsociety, according to a new collection of work commissioned by thinktank Localis.
It’s Small State, Big Society collection contains a selection of essays offering alternative visions for the public sector – including work from Kent CC leader Paul Carter, Vanguard Consulting’s John Seddon, and Birmingham City Council’s Tony Smith.
While they explore the potential for better, more efficient services in Britain through local solutions and Total Place-style efficiencies, experts from around the world espouse views on the role of the state, the private sector and non-profit bodies in their homelands.
Among them Swedish political commentator Johnny Munkhammer argues in favour of the rollbacks seen his nation’s welfare state.
Localis policy and research director Tom Shakespeare said the collected works showed that a smaller public sector did not equate to poorer services or a damaged society.
“What these essays successfully demonstrate is that the Small State, Big Society approach is not just a good idea – it is an approach that has been shown to work. It offers the only real solution to the many multi-dimensional challenges we now face,” he said.
“This absolutely must be the shape of things to come.”
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- "Localis offers a great blend of a passion for innovation, grounded practical ideas and unswerving belief in the possibilities of local governance"Derek Myers, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
