The Total Place initiative has the potential to transform the shape of local public service delivery. It looks at how a ‘whole area’ approach to public services can lead to better services at less cost. This paper summarises interviews with four HR and OD leaders from local authorities involved in the initiative.

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Local authorities are being urged to act immediately to make sure polling stations are more accessible. The disability charity, Scope, has warned that some people may find it difficult to vote in next month’s elections but said it was not too late for councils to make a difference.

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A campaign has been launched to persuade the next Government to make radical reforms to learning in Britain. The Campaign for Learning has issued a series of recommendations to be implemented over the next ten years.

Read more on CAMPAIGN WANTS DECADE OF RADICAL REFORMS IN LEARNING…

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It examines the way mobile computing is increasing the productivity of community and social workers by freeing up time previously wasted on travel and administration for more client visits and better quality services.

Read more on MOBILE COMPUTING TRANSFORMING EFFICIENCY OF COMMUNITY WORKERS…

The Local Government Association has said it will work with Doncaster Council to ensure local people get a better deal after a damning report from the Audit Commission. The Communities Secretary, John Denham, has said he will use his statutory powers to intervene in the running of the authority.

Read more on LGA PLEDGES TO HELP DONCASTER IMPROVE AFTER DAMNING REPORT…

Human resources professionals are warning that a rush to cut the public spending deficit after the General Election could threaten Britain’s economic recovery. The CIPD has also warned that slashing the deficit would risk a sharp rise in unemployment and that one in ten public sector jobs could go.

Read more on WARNING ON PUBLIC SECTOR JOBS IN POST-ELECTION PUSH TO CUT SPENDING…

The survey report presents views on service improvements and outcomes from the Local Area Agreement process.

There was a generally positive response to the survey with at least 90 per cent of respondents reporting progress in delivering service improvements. There was an increased understanding of the barriers to service improvement and many reported the discovery of different ways to overcome the barriers through collaborative action.

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Council regulators say a lack of clear guidance about a good diet for the under fives is the reason why even the best-intentioned nursery schools sometimes give children the wrong proportions of food and nutrients. A two-year study by LACORS, part of the Local Government Association Group, found none of the nurseries which volunteered to be involved were managing to meet all of the current guidelines although many were putting a lot of effort into providing healthy menus.

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Wolverhampton has joined the handful of English local authorities allowing residents the opportunity to petition the council online. The city’s website now enables local people to create their own petition or to add their name in support of an existing one.

Read more on COUNCIL LAUNCHES E-PETITIONS SYSTEM…

This report from Communities and Local Government summarises the evaluation.

Participatory Budgeting helps to improve relationships within communities and between communities and service providers. In addition, the process draws on local knowledge and opinions to ensure resources are spent on what matters to local people.

Read more on PARTICPATORY BUDGETING EVALUATION…