By Julia Eadie Reproduced by permission of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. The Public Service Leaders Scheme helps leaders from the Civil Service, local government, the NHS and the Police to work together, learn about different cultures and develop leadership skills. Julia Eadie, Head of the scheme’s secretariat, describes the features of the learning network, which has now reached its third intake of leaders who spend between one to three years honing their skills.

By Duncan Eaton. Reproduced by permission of eGov Monitor Weekly. Providing thousands of suppliers using myriad different systems with the opportunity to trade electronically with the health service is the challenge facing the Purchasing and Supply Agency of the NHS. Duncan Eaton, who heads the Agency, describes how work is going on with pilot supply confederations to give greater leverage to the NHS over quality and service and bring benefits to suppliers.

By Ivana La Valle, Sue Arthur, Christine Millward, James Scott with Marion Clayden. A survey of parents with children under 17 revealed substantial numbers working outside ‘normal’ hours. The authors present the survey findings and policy implications for the work-life balance, the Working Time Directive and childcare provision.

By David Walker. Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. As the flow of announcements about increased freedom to manage public services locally continues, calls for more freedom go on unabated. David Walker argues that the issue is complex and he quotes the views of leaders in different fields who are concerned about getting the right central-local balance.

By Trefor Lloyd Main stream systems do little to prepare underachieving young men in the final school years for the world of work. The author describes how a programme involving classroom work and visits overcame barriers and brought the participants back from the margins. He argues for a more flexible approach by schools and training across the professions involved in the problem.

By David Henshaw - Liverpool City Council Chief Executive. Reproduced by permission of eGov Monitor Weekly. Liverpool is being transformed from sea port to e-port and investment in new technology is helping to drive the change. David Henshaw describes how customer access and customer relations have been revolutionized. He also explains how the know-how is being marketed to generate income for the council.

By Geoff Mulgan. Reproduced by permission of the Centre for Management and Policy Studies. Governments, from early civilizations onwards, have looked across frontiers for ideas about how to govern better. This global trade in policy reached new heights in recent years. From the perspective of Director of the Strategy Unit in the Cabinet Office, Geoff Mulgan looks at the global trade and other drivers of policy innovation including what works in practice and comparisons between organizations.

By Mike Sherratt The line between the financial management processes in the public sector and commercial businesses is beginning to blur. Activity based costing, which has been used by businesses for almost two decades, is now being developed in the public sector as a driver for service improvements . The author explains what it is and how it is being applied in the quest for Best Value.

By Helen Barnes, Jane Parry and Jane Lakey Increasing numbers of people are leaving employment before standard retirement ages. The authors look at their experiences and set out the policy implications relating to employment, information needs, social space and the benefits system.

By Bill Taylor, Chief Executive, West Lancashire District Council. E-Government is too important to be left to the IT department, because it is really about the business agenda. The author looks at the e-agenda in relation to the corporate management framework and quotes success stories in local government.