Technology has increased the ability to harvest, process and store information, but the ability to manage, control and exploit it has failed to keep pace. The tendency of public sector organisations to overlook the management of its information, and the training of managers and staff in how to handle it will compromise their ability to deal effectively with the current crisis. This is the conclusion of a report from the Society of IT Management.

Read more on MANAGING INFORMATION; MANAGING THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE ORGANISATION…

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It looks at the findings of Socitm’s ‘Twitter Gritter’ report on how councils used internet sites to inform citizens about service disruptions during the bad weather conditions this year.

Read more on SOCIAL MEDIA FOR COUNCILS…

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It looks at meeting the challenge of national environmental targets in a tough financial climate.

Read more on PARTNERSHIPS THE ANSWER TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE…

This report from Communities and Local Government present findings from a survey of attitudes across policy areas.

The survey found variations in levels of trust across different areas compared to 2005. Trust in parliament was down from 37 to 34 per cent. Trust was highest amongst 16 to 24 year olds, 47 per cent, with all other groups showing lower levels of trust in parliament ranging of between 27 and 40 per cent.

Read more on EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES – SURVEY REPORT…

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It reviews the implications of the new Digital Economy Act and the measures to increase broadband speed and coverage. In an interview, former Digital Britain Minister Stephen Timms, argues that councils need to play a key role in encouraging their citizens to use online services.

Read more on CALL FOR COUNCILS TO BACK DIGITAL INCLUSION…

This report from Communities and Local Government describes how expenditure of all public bodies in an area was assessed and used as a basis for the work of the Total Place pilot projects. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of spend counting.

Read more on TOTAL SPEND COUNTING ANALYSIS…

This report gives insights into the experiences of regeneration practitioners working in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. The New Deal for Communities Programme is designed to narrow gaps between the 39 most deprived localities and the rest of the country.

Read more on EVALUATION OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RE-GENERATION…

Mental health is intrinsic to well-being. There is a clear association between well-being, good mental health and improved outcomes for people of all ages and social classes, across a number of domains. These include longevity, physical health, social connectedness, educational achievement, criminality, maintaining a home, employment status and productivity.

Read more on CONFIDENT COMMUNITIES, BRIGHTER FUTURES – A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING WELL-BEING…

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It describes how the innovation of smarter procurement tools can help meet efficiency targets and greater outsourcing requirements.

Read more on BOOSTING EFFICIENCY THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROCUREMENT…

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…