These two publications from the Leadership Centre for Local Government mark the end of the pilot phase of total place and the start of transition to the mainstream. Together they chart how the concept of an innovative approach to redesigning services was proved beyond doubt, and where those who want to apply the thinking should start.

Read more on TOTAL PLACE: A LEARNING HISTORY AND PRACTITIONERS GUIDE TO DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY…

By Emma Gorringe

Since the Total Place pilot, partners in Bedfordshire including Central Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Council have been developing more than 50 proposals which aim to cut crime and improve the welfare benefits system in Bedfordshire and Luton.
Central Bedfordshire and Luton have been one of 13 Total Place pilots across the country, set up to transform public services through improved working between central and local government agencies.

Read more on TOTAL PLACE PILOT SUCCESS…

A key feature of the LGA Group’s offer of a deal to the Coalition Government is to find large scale savings from a total place approach across the board. All 13 pilot project reports show clearly that duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy cost money and can be substantially reduced. But big savings demand transformation, not just change. Transformation is difficult to do, as the report about Collaborative Procurement from the National Audit Office and the Audit Commission clearly shows. So what are the prospects for reducing budgets without harming front line services?

Read more on TRANSLATING TOTAL PLACE FINDINGS INTO NATIONAL COST SAVINGS…

The LGA Group, representing local councils, has offered a deal to the Coalition Government that would radically transform public services and save some £22.5 over five years. The deal would involve local government taking full responsibility for delivering more with less and it would include some long standing aims of the LGA such as devolution of power to councils and a reduced burden of inspection.

Read more on COUNCILS OFFER A DEAL TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC SERVICES…

The National Audit Office and the Audit Commission have criticised public services for failing to pursue collaborative procurement. The watchdog’s review found the public sector procurement landscape fragmented and without any overall governance. The report urges public bodies to work together much more effectively than they currently do and calls for a clear framework to coordinate public sector procurement activity.

Read more on WATCHDOGS FINDS PUBLIC SERVICES FAILING TO MEET PROCURMENT CHALLENGE…

The New Local Government Network has urged the Government to continue with the total place projects. It also wants greater budget freedom for councils so that they can realize the full scope of potential efficiencies.

Read more on THINK TANK CALLS FOR COALITION GOVERNMENT TO BACK TOTAL PLACE…