Up and down the country councils are changing the way they “do” services and as importantly their relationship with the public. Drivers of this change are:
- The way the public live has shifted considerably – far more people are used to self service using digital tools or solving their problems through their networks online… Whether emergency babysitting, finding their pet, or understanding their consumer rights..
- The funding situation for councils is beyond bleak. I will amazed if several don’t go technically bankrupt – not because they are badly run but for the simple reason that demands are increasing and funding has been slashed. Those of us thinking we had a plan are now returning to the drawing boards having had the business rates rug pulled from under us by Osborne. We have no more jobs that are “spare” with most of the most expensive or purely back room staff involved in income generation, the only option is radically changing how we deliver for our communities.
- Lack of trust and value in local democracy and what local government does. We are amazingly bad at ensuring that communities know the good things we do and how much impact we have on their lives. We have tended towards a corporate model which excludes people and communities from both decisions and delivery. Sharing those means sharing resources but also responsibility. We cannot ignore the anti Politics message leading to the rise of fringe candidates and single issue campaigners, with party politicians seen as childish, selfish and out of touch. Not characteristics I recognise in my colleagues of any party actually. I see many selfless, inspiring, talented , enterprising and deeply values driven people.
The role of the Neighbourhoods committee and the proposed new director will be to steer this structural, cultural and democratic reform.
- Developing the role of ward councillors in decision making with their communities.
- Integrating services so that people aren’t passed from pillar to post however they access our service – online or into a neighbourhood hub
- Driving a collaborative culture with communities, not making the council the solver of every problem or challenge
- Increasing volunteering and the power of volunteering
What is the problem with how things are?
The current model depends on finding the right person to deal with the issue you have, or the right page on the website. Call centres aren’t connected with social media in a consistent manner although the City Clean team are a lovely example of using Twitter effectively to take reports. Your tenure affects which person might deal with your issue so neighbours with the same issue might go down different access points. Councillors are often navigators for their communities rather than advocates.
The current model is under significant financial stress and there are structural perverse incentives to raise the bar to access services rather than to take a preventative approach with early intervention. Although again, the sheer dedication of staff and some excellent projects mean that within directorates there are blooming brilliant examples. We need this to be broader …to develop these services across directorates effectively where they are shown to work well. This means leadership and governance that is 100% focused on this role.
Next steps
We have to spin another plate though now. And look to refresh how we work or people will be left exhausted internally and unable to deliver a good service to the public.
Some good examples of councils who have achieved this transformation are Oldham, Stoke and Edinburgh Solihull have also looked in a very different way at how they do business. The point is that this level of change and reform is plan a and b because the alternative is paralysis in the face of cuts. Impotence. And letting down the public.
The citizen is at the heart of this vision. That’s not ideological or political game playing. That’s the right values for local government fit for not just today but tomorrow too.
We hope that all parties support this whole heartedly as now is not the time to be timid but to act, to prevent need rising beyond what the council can deliver and to make the most of our crown jewel as a city, our fabulous and talented residents.
CllrEmmaBlogs 
Firstly Emma, many thanks for taking a chance in writing this and asking for feedback. I hope that you will see this as a positive response. I have written before in various settings that Councils across the nation need to be willing to see a greater level of diminution of the gap between the Council run services, the services run by Charities and businesses and creative ways in which the local communities can work together in running services for themselves. A classic example of good practice is the opening up of the cafe in Hollingdean Childrens Centre at weekends, but it was not an easy path to travel at times. Such ideas need to be welcomed and indeed applauded rather than resisted by those who see their role to limit risks. The biggest risk in the current climate is carefully managed decline.
I would like to hope that your comments about ‘fringe’ candidates and single issue campaigners are not in any way negative. If we are to find a new way of doing democracy, we will need to explore all of these avenues and find others too. I find it disturbing that whatever you views, that far too many Cllrs and MPs are willing to rubbish such approaches and then turn around and ask the same people to re-elect them as though nothing has happened. I agree that many of your colleagues are dedicated and several of them possess the skills and qualities you list. However on a bad day some of the same people together demonstrate the sense of childishness and out of touchness that some of us do witness from time to time.
It is painfully clear to me that unless you can persuade colleagues in the Conservative and Green Parties to find areas of common endeavour, as well as clarifying where such an approach is not possible, that local residents etc will struggle to understand why they should work alongside neighbours, when things get difficult.
Finally on a personal note, I am still unable to follow Warren on Twitter even though he is the leader of the Council and uses his account to make many official announcements. The only possible reason for his decision is because I was persistent in my challenge over the appalling way in which Penny Thompson was treated by your Council within days of you all taking office. I was not offensive or critical of anyone personally (if I had been I would have understood his decision) and I know that many other people strongly disagreed with the decision over Penny and the lack of openness about a matter which has cost many of us dearly. It is time for all of you to deal with such trivia as who follows who in a grown up manner. Matters are either serious or they are not!
It’s great to see political leadership on the cultural changes needed at Bhcc to develop more empowered communities, increase collaboration and support volunteering. It’s always a challenge to cede control and take risk and that positive behaviour needs nurturing at all levels at Bhcc. Also the need for all our political leaders to look at their common ground and lead change to build community capacity. Thanks Emma for articulating your vision and values