News Item: : Protect and survive
(Category: Misc)
Posted by Paul Kelly
Monday 01 March 2010 - 23:31:18
Communities Secretary John Denham (pictured) today set out ways that local government can protect its frontline services.
The report “Putting the Frontline First” was drawn up by Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham. It identifies ten things that councils must do to protect frontline services (see extended post for details).
Commenting on the report, John Denham said "Councils have some tough choices in the next few years as things become tighter. But that is no reason to lower their sights on the service quality people rightly value. Government is working hard to make sure councils have explored every possible option before resorting to wholesale budget cuts that will affect frontline services and jobs."
The ten steps recommended in the “Putting the Frontline First” report are:
1. Council services must be focused on the customer. They come first.
2. Take a Total Place approach to frontline services
3. Make services more efficient - cutting out waste and unnecessary duplication. Especially in two tier areas.
4. Check performance against others and learn from who is doing it better.
5. Buy goods and services in groups and use that buying power to create local benefits and involve the third sector
6. Reduce the number of council buildings by locating more services together.
7. Motivate staff to help to perform to the best of their ability.
8. Make managers leaders of innovation to improve services.
9. Streamline management. Consider splitting senior posts with other councils or PCTs.
10. Share professional expertise and ensure council staff are able to be flexibly deployed
The report can be downloaded from: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/puttingfrontlinefirst
This news item is from nalgao
( http://www.nalgao.org/news.php?extend.75 )
(Category: Misc)
Posted by Paul Kelly
Monday 01 March 2010 - 23:31:18
Communities Secretary John Denham (pictured) today set out ways that local government can protect its frontline services.The report “Putting the Frontline First” was drawn up by Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham. It identifies ten things that councils must do to protect frontline services (see extended post for details).
Commenting on the report, John Denham said "Councils have some tough choices in the next few years as things become tighter. But that is no reason to lower their sights on the service quality people rightly value. Government is working hard to make sure councils have explored every possible option before resorting to wholesale budget cuts that will affect frontline services and jobs."
The ten steps recommended in the “Putting the Frontline First” report are:
1. Council services must be focused on the customer. They come first.
2. Take a Total Place approach to frontline services
3. Make services more efficient - cutting out waste and unnecessary duplication. Especially in two tier areas.
4. Check performance against others and learn from who is doing it better.
5. Buy goods and services in groups and use that buying power to create local benefits and involve the third sector
6. Reduce the number of council buildings by locating more services together.
7. Motivate staff to help to perform to the best of their ability.
8. Make managers leaders of innovation to improve services.
9. Streamline management. Consider splitting senior posts with other councils or PCTs.
10. Share professional expertise and ensure council staff are able to be flexibly deployed
The report can be downloaded from: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/puttingfrontlinefirst
This news item is from nalgao
( http://www.nalgao.org/news.php?extend.75 )