Editor: Sue GossPart of the new government agenda is a changed relationship between the state and citizens – making government more accountable to local people. The most important contact that the average citizen has with government is through the staff of public organizations, so that changing the relationship inevitably means changing the roles and behaviours of these public organizations. In a climate where the role and purpose of local councils are changing, many local government managers are experiencing uncertainty and the pressures of overwork. The book focuses on the everyday problems they face and the practical details they need to be effective in their work. It sets out the case for a radical change in the ways that local authorities engage with local communities.
For those not able to get along to the Queen Elizabeth II conference center in London on 26 September to take part in the E-champion conference, all is not lost. They can log in to a webcast and see and hear how e-government is transforming public sector organisations, employment and social inclusion from an international perspective. The first annual conference and exhibition of the e-champions network which brought together councillors and senior council officers responsible for implementing local e-government was addressed by delegates from Italy, Portugal and Ireland.UKCouncil cameras covered the one-day event and made the proceedings available for all to view on the Internet 24 hours later. The conference can be viewed on the Improvement and Development Agency website http://www.idea.gov.uk/events/e-champions UKCouncil is a leading provider of webcasting services to the public sector.
A new group has been set up within the Cabinet Office to steer Civil Service reform. When the Modernising Government White Paper was published in 1999 the task of driving through the changes was given to the Civil Service Management Board, which is made up of the heads of departments. With the arrival of Sir Andrew Turnbull to head the Civil Service, a new look has been taken at the reform programme and how it is to be managed. On his arrival in his new post he said: “Accelerating change in the Civil Service will be my priority over the next three years. We all want to deliver better services to the public”.The Reform Strategy Group will be responsible for defining the overall Civil Service reform strategy and developing the Departmental Change Programme. A top priority of the Group will getting the reform message through to all parts of the Civil Service.