By Jamie Bodley-Scott No longer do public bodies carry out their functions within an area defined by bricks and mortar. Partnership working means operating within other sets of walls. Mobile working means that staff use office facilities from many locations. Electronic walls have had to change to meet the developing situation and the data fence has had to move. The author describes how Watford Borough Council has successfully moved their data fence.

By Frances Crook Some 6500 children pass through various forms of custody each year and half of them require support. Their disadvantages range from mental health problems, drug use, violence at home and sexual abuse. Although legislation requires that support plans be in place before release, frequently the requirement is not met. The author presents the disturbing picture as it is seen by the Howard League for Penal Reform. This article was first published in Public Management and Policy and is reproduced by permission of the Association. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm

A major challenge facing public sector organisations is how to improve energy efficiency while reducing costs and meeting environmental targets. With additional ‘green’ legislation looming, it is vital to know how, when and where energy is being used in buildings. This feature describes how Bristol City Council developed the use of modern technologies to manage energy better.

By Charlene O’Connor The Leitch Review put skills development at the heart of economic success because it is one of the vital pillars supporting economic growth. Scottish Enterprise examined the skills-related challenges faced by employers to find out where intervention would be beneficial and what form it should take. The author describes how from this better understanding it has challenged the training market to match the training needs with targeted and efficient products.

By Des McConaghy Knowledge management plays a crucial part in inter agency joined up working, but information silos still persist. The author reflects on past examples of sharing knowledge and highlights the barriers. He argues that for knowledge sharing to be successful it must be financed. This article was first published in Public Money and Management and is reproduced by permission of CIPFA.

By Martyn Goodhand More than half the UK’s headteachers are now aged over 50, and will be reaching retirement at the same time. With many deputies expressing no desire to move up the ladder action is required to encourage others to take on the role. The author explains the need for succession planning and how on line continuing professional development can play an important role by allowing aspiring heads to evaluate and manage their career more proactively with a clear indication of what is required to progress to the next level.

By David Hinchliffe The author, a former MP and Health Select Committee Chairman, describes a personal experience of the divide between health and social care. The divide is narrowing and he looks to the future where technology could lead to jointly operated telecare monitoring centres and multi-disciplinary monitoring.

By Peter A Hunter Management theories such as Six Sigma and TQM make some contribution to improving performance, but they come and go. An element that is common to most of them is that managers should feel ownership. The author explores the idea of ownership and describes its importance in improving performance.

By Bill Jenkinson Public and private organisations have a need to get their message across to customers, but it can be more difficult in the public sector because of limited marketing budgets compared to commercial brands. The author describes how public sector organisations are making progress in cutting through the fragmented media landscape by embracing the customer magazine, which is currently going from strength to strength.

By Brian Sussex Information is power and giving managers a rich picture of what is happening in the organization allows them to use the levers to deliver better results. Children and Young People’s Services in local councils generate vast amounts of data and the author describes how Devon County Council has worked this goldmine of information to bring widespread benefits.