How can we really listen to public problems?
How can we really listen to public problems?
Leading-edge technology presents an opportunity to not only hear what residents are saying, but to really listen
I love local government, and I’m really looking forward to attending the LGA conference this week in Bournemouth – catching up with old friends and colleagues, meeting new people and learning what’s new.
I’ll particularly be looking out for signs of life in the debate on sector performance. Since first launching the IMPOWER INDEX – our benchmarking tool which grades councils on productivity, meaning outcomes per pound spent – back in 2017, we have been working hard to deepen our perspective on performance. We have met with hundreds of people – directors and chiefs in local government as well as officials from the LGA, MHCLG and DfE, and sector influencers such the IFS, the NLGN and CIPFA and used the INDEX to discuss productivity and what ‘good’ looks like for local government. Apart from the fact that people are really enthusiastic about what we’re trying to do in this space, we have also learned that:
This is a huge problem for the sector, because – make no mistake about it – there are huge opportunities for improvement still waiting to be seized. While these remain untapped, the outcomes for vulnerable people are worse – and spending higher than they need to be. For councils who want to seize the available opportunities, knowing where they are currently and where they are aiming for is fundamental.
Despite the fact that continuing to drive improvement is clearly in everyone’s best interests, this remains a tricky space. Why? The bottom line is that none of the key players have a clear incentive:
The sector needs to own its own performance – it can and should do better overall; and more importantly those authorities who are doing brilliantly need to be properly celebrated by the sector.
If you’re going to be in Bournemouth and have a view on any of this, do get in touch.