One of the biggest challenges facing public service planners is forecasting the future. A new pamphlet by Bob Tyrrell, former head of the Henley Centre for Forecasting, offers some pointers to the forces that will influence change over the next twenty years.Among the light-hearted predictions is the resignation of Tony Blair as Prime Minister, exhausted and seemingly broken by seven years in office. 

Optimists may well see the effectiveness of the best value initiative demonstrated in latest performance indicators on public services.The Audit Commission’s annual report on English councils, and on English and Welsh police and fire services, shows some narrowing of the gaps between best and worst performers.
Where small improvements overall are seen, it is because poor performers are catching up.
Best Value is a concept which has stretched to most parts of the public sector. 

Mahoney RThe Learning Organization, (UK), 2000 Vol 7 No 5
Start page: 241. No of pages: 3
Argues that leadership must occur at all levels in an organization if it is to be a learning organization, and that all employees must be encouraged to comment on and participate in decisions.