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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Social Media[Jan 13, 2012 - Work in progress]Given the relevance and importance of ICT technology and corresponding social media strategies, Localis has begun research to explore the use of social media within local government. This work will build on the current local government efforts for policy innovation, and also addresses growing corpor
The Big Society Series[Jan 13, 2012 - Work in progress]Since David Cameron introduced the term ‘Big Society’, there has been a lot of discussion about what it does – and doesn’t – mean. The debate has spent an unhealthy amount of time in the cul de sac of ‘is it just a fig leaf for cuts’. Localis’ research focuses on the Big Society in its widest concep
Shifting from acute to primary and community care [Jan 10, 2012 - Localis In The News]Two thirds of councils see local government as unengaged in shaping health reforms while almost three quarters believe the sector has had little or no influence over them. These are the depressing results from a national straw poll conducted by Localis for the Kent Health Commission – a new forum wh
Roundtable: What makes shared management initiatives work[Jan 4, 2012 - Events]What makes shared management initiatives work (in association with the Local Government Association)
Local government's role in healthcare[Dec 20, 2011 - Localis In The News]One element of the NHS reforms has prompted little conversation – the reconnection of local government to health, says Localis' Alex Thomson
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More than forty commissioning support services proposed[Jan 20, 2012 - David Williams, LGC / HSJ]The 50 primary care trust clusters could set up as many as 41 commissioning support services nationwide, an investigation by LGC’s sister title Health Service Journal has revealed.
Big Society is being hampered by lack of clarity - MPs[Dec 14, 2011 - BBC News]The public and the voluntary sector remain confused about David Cameron's flagship Big Society idea, MPs say.
Public services reform plan delayed[Dec 7, 2011 - By Allister Hayman, Local Government Chronicle]A key plan setting out how the government intends to implement its flagship public services reform agenda has been delayed until the new year, the Cabinet Office has confirmed.
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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LGA demands Whitehall support over climate change[Jan 27, 2012 - Nick Appleyard, The MJ]Council leaders have called for support to help Britain weather the risks posed by climate change at local level. esponding to the Government's climate change risk assessment – published yesterday – the Local Government Association (LGA) underlined the threat posed by hotter summers and more frequen
Ministers ditch 'people power' clause[Oct 26, 2011 - Allister Hayman, LGC]Ministers have ditched a key proposal in the Localism Bill that would have enabled local people to trigger non-binding referendums on any issue.
Speaking in the House of Lords earlier this month, junior communities minister Baroness Hanham conceded that there was “barely a friendly voice” for provi
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.
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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Burstow: No crisis in care funding[Jan 18, 2012 - Dan Drillsma-Milgrom, LGC]Care minister Paul Burstow has insisted there is no crisis in the funding of social care. Giving evidence to the health select committee on Tuesday, Mr Burstow left MPs incredulous after he argued that a combination of government funding and council efficiencies should be able to fill any gap betwee
No 'structural merger' of health and social care, MPs told[Jan 17, 2012 - Steve Ford, LGC / HSJ]There will be no government drive to merge health and social care organisations across the country, health minister Paul Burstow has told MPs.
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
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
