Local Government Management and Organisation
There are two key strands to Localis' thinking on this: Innovation and Leadership. In what is often described as a post-bureaucratic age, public bodies including local Councils, need operate efficiently and effectively in order to deliver what is expected of them. This involves engaging staff at all levels as well as the people they represent in order to engrain a culture of innovation into the operation of the Council. A successful Council also requires strong leadership in order to foster this culture and use it to make strong political decisions. However, we believe that strong leadership can come in many forms, and not necessarily in the traditionally accepted form.
3 Projects
The Future of directly elected Mayors
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England's new mayors prove a force for good[Apr 26, 2012 - Localis In The News]The introduction of mayors over the past decade has been mostly positive, says Alex Thomson.
With the exception of a few notable areas, the chances are that, for many people outside London, their most personal experience of a directly-elected mayor will not be a particularly positive one.
Power shift[Feb 24, 2012 - Localis In The News]In May 10 cities will vote on whether they want an elected mayor. Here Rhiannon Bury finds out what’s at stake for housing, and Localis Chief Executive Alex Thomson is featured in the discussion.
Roles and Responsibilities[Oct 16, 2009 - Localis In The News]London’s governance arrangements may not be the most glaring issue the capital seems to face, but they do need upgrading if other critical challenges are to be met.
Mayors Don't Suit Everyone[Jul 27, 2009 - Localis In The News]Directly elected mayors have made a major difference in some cases and usually have more influence than council leaders but they're probably not the answer for all cities, writes Mike Morgan-Giles of Localis.
Directly Elected Mayors: Are they appropriate?[Jun 10, 2009 - Localis In The News]The debate is ‘not over’ regarding the benefits of Directly Elected Mayors says a new publication by Localis. In this series of essays from key commentators, the debate ranges over a number of topics.
Fostering a culture of innovation within councils
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Putting the Customer First[Sep 10, 2010 - Publications]In this report, we discuss the intricacies and virtues of customer-focused policymaking, and how it applies to local government. We based our findings on an innovative council, Cheshire West and Chester.
Tackling Barriers to Innovation in Local Authorities [Oct 15, 2008 - Publications - Discussion Note]This is a summary of the topics covered at the roundtable discussion hosted by Localis and the Audit Commission on the 15th October 2008, attended by James Morris, Steve Bundred, Greg Smith, Tom Fairhead, Emer Coleman, Prof Jean Hartley, Peter Gilroy, Dr Su Maddock, Crispin Moor, Rhodri Davies, Geor
How to Reduce the Barriers to Innovation[Oct 14, 2008 - Events]We held a joint roundtable with the Audit Commission looking at ways in which local authorities can be encouraged to innovate
Defining a Conservative Council[Jul 2, 2008 - Events]During the LGA Conference, we held an event where attendees were asked to consider 'What defines a Conservative Council?'
1. What defines a Council as a Conservative Council?
2. What 3 innovative things have you done as a conservative Council?
3. What barriers do you face?
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Windsor recycling reward scheme adopted by government[Jun 8, 2010 - BBC]A pioneering recycling scheme in Berkshire has been officially launched following a successful pilot.
Council of the Year: Hammersmith & Fulham[Mar 25, 2010 - Local Government Chronicle]Hammersmith & Fulham LBC is LGC’s Council of the Year - praised by the judges for “doing something very special in challenging times”. The tribute came at the climax of the annual awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Bid costs ‘putting outsourcers off’[May 14, 2009 - Local Government Chronicle]Fresh concerns have been raised over the escalating cost of bidding for outsourcing contracts following a leading company’s decision not to bid for a flagship deal
Local Government Leadership
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Report Launch: Grow Your Own Way[May 23, 2012 - Events]Localis will be speaking at the Local Government Association (LGA)'s Local Growth Campaign - Town Hall Debate in Newton Abbott for the launch of Grow Your Own Way - Taking a localist approach to regeneration.
Let the local authority clamour for more devolved power begin[May 3, 2012 - Localis In The News]After the elections, government in the big cities will undergo major change, while other areas look on with interest says Steven Howell.
What can elected mayors do for our cities?[Mar 29, 2012 - Publications]Localis has contributed to a collection of essays seeking to bring together evidence on what mayoral governance could do for our cities.
Is the bandwagon now rolling for elected mayors?[Sep 19, 2011 - Localis In The News]The Liberal Democrat conference got underway last weekend with a fringe debate on elected mayors. Michael Burton, who chaired the event, reports on the findings.
'Widen elected mayor policy,' Lib Dem urges[Sep 19, 2011 - Localis In The News]Directly elected police commissioners are likely to stimulate the public appetite for directly elected mayors, a leading peer has told a Liberal Democrat conference fringe.
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Clark: not the end of the road for city mayors[May 10, 2012 - Dan Drillsma-Milgrom, LGC]The elected mayoral model for cities is not off the table, local government minister Greg Clark has insisted - despite it being rejected by nine out of the 10 cities voting on it last week. Speaking to LGC in the wake of last week’s mayoral referendums, Mr Clark insisted that with Leicester, Liverpo
Chief of three to go ahead[Mar 12, 2012 - Ruth Keeling, LGC]The first shared chief executive post covering three councils is set to be created in May after councillors backed the cost sharing move last week.
Districts eye shared chief for five councils[Sep 1, 2011 - Ruth Keeling, LGC]A single chief executive could manage as many as five district councils at one time, the leader of Conservatives in local government has claimed.
LGA Conservative group head Gary Porter, who is also leader of South Holland DC and already shares his council’s chief executive with neighbouring Brec
