http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/index.aspx?NewsListingOrigCol_SyndicationType=1 Contensis: http://www.contentmanagement.co.uk http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/doing-politics-differently/ For the second time in as many years, the south Manchester neighbourhood of Levenshulme where I live, has faced the closure of vital public facilities. This time, the library and swimming pool have been targeted. Both these facilities are community hubs which bring people in a diverse, and in many ways disadvantaged, community together. Written by Catherine Durose. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:00:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/doing-politics-differently/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/women-and-politics/ EHRC research exploring the under-representation of women and other groups protected under the Equality Act (2010) has been used to support a call for the Coalition to act to address the issue of women's representation in Parliament. Women from the Political Studies Association's Women and Politics group challenge the government to accept the logic of sex quotas and introduce legislation for elected institutions in Great Britain. Written by Catherine Durose. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:14:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/women-and-politics/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/council-tax-the-new-poll-tax/ The Poll Tax riots in 1990 famously brought down Mrs Thatcher and led to the hasty introduction of the Council Tax. Twenty three years later are the reforms to Council Tax (due for implementation in less than a month) about to bring the Poll Tax back from the grave? Written by Martin Stott. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:20:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/council-tax-the-new-poll-tax/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/local-democracy-makers/ To what extent does the lack of training and development of senior officers at local councils impact on the practice of local democracy? Can 'democracy' even be taught? It's a question that has been with me for a while. I have no answers but can offer some personal reflections following research I undertook into the role of senior officers in managing local democracy. Written by Philip Lloyd-Williams. Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:35:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/local-democracy-makers/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/leadership-developmen/ The question of how we play a part in encouraging future generations of leaders has never really been more acute than at the present. The question has been around for quite a while now but perhaps never really satisfactorily answered. Some years ago a PhD study looked at the career paths of Local Authority Chief Executives and the startling conclusion appeared to be that actually wanting to be a chief executive was the only real common feature. Written by Ian Briggs. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:17:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/leadership-developmen/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/greens/ An unambiguously positive title, I trust you'll agree – not least because I plan to stick a gentle boot in later on. We must start, though, with full credit where it's due. This weekend, the Green Party of England and Wales celebrates its 40th anniversary – a remarkable achievement indeed for a party that, in its own folklore anyway, owes its origins to a guy in Coventry picking up a Playboy magazine. Written by Chris Game. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:20:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/greens/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/horse-meat/ A recurrent theme of the political rhetoric from successive governments in recent times has been 'deregulation', 'cutting bureaucracy and red-tape'. Indeed the notions of 'Smaller Government' and of 'curbing the nanny state' have been key elements in the present Coalition Government's programme since the outset in 2010. Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:28:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/horse-meat/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/activating-coproduction/ Recently we have been publishing the findings of an in-depth statistical analysis of user and community co-production, based on responses to a survey of 5000 citizens in five EU countries in 2008, funded by the French Presidency of the EU. Written by Tony Bovaird Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:30:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/activating-coproduction/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/birmingham-second-unequal/ Google "Birmingham – Britain's second city" and you get 110,000 results; for "Birmingham – Britain's third city" just three – all ignorant, obviously prejudiced, or both. By contrast, "Manchester – Britain's second city" gets 895 results, only just outscoring "Manchester – Britain's third city" with 866. QED – unofficial as the title is, if there's going to be a second city, it's Birmingham. Simples! Written by Chris Game Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:40:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/birmingham-second-unequal/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/beyond-the-state/ Community organising and co-production can shape public policy making and service delivery in new and creative ways, providing an alternative to privatisation and the outsourcing of public services. This is the claim made in our new pamphlet, 'Beyond the state: mobilising and co-producing with communities'. Written by Catherine Durose, Jonathan Justice and Chris Skelcher. Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:31:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/beyond-the-state/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/in-favour-of-the-mundane-citizenship-testing-and-participation/ This weekend saw the announcement that the Government has completed its revisions to the 'Life in the UK' citizenship test, refocusing the questions on British culture, history and sport. According to the Government, there will be no more 'mundane' questions about water meters, job interviews, the internet and public transport. Written by Katherine Tonkiss. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:44:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/in-favour-of-the-mundane-citizenship-testing-and-participation/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/last-chapters-localism/ "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance", George Bernard Shaw once wrote – it seems to sum up some extraordinary lessons that the recent winter weather is offering us. What really gets people off their backsides and make representations to local councils are things that affect them immediately. Written by Ian Briggs Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:30:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/last-chapters-localism/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/councillors-engage/ This month saw the 'Communities and Local Government Committee' release its report on the role of the modern councillor. Focusing on the impact of the Localism Act (and associated developments in recent years), Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Committee, suggested that local representatives are now spending less time in council and more in the community. Written by Karin Bottom, Catherine Mangan and Thom Oliver. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:49:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/councillors-engage/ Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2013/01/quangos.aspx Quangos, non-departmental public bodies, or arm's length bodies (ALBs), as they are variably termed, are a category of public organisations that operate with a degree of independence from ministers. These bodies have become an established feature of government, created to deliver policy, offer expertise and regulation (among other functions). Written by Katherine Tonkiss and Katharine Dommett. Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:47:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2013/01/quangos.aspx Blog INLOGOV insitute of local government studies Katherine Tonkiss Katharine Dommett http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/local-politics-essential/ I always struggle when local Councillors say to me that they are 'not political'. For me politics is part of everyday life as well as life in local government. To some extent I cannot see that we can operate without it and perhaps it's like the cod liver oil mother used to give me – it's not very tasty but good for you. Written by Philip Lloyd-Williams. Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:45:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/local-politics-essential/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/silos-joint-commissioning/ I heard it again - in a discussion on last Tuesday's BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Nick Herbert's piece about the civil service - the problem is that silos remain. Written bu Stephen Jeffares. Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:43:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/silos-joint-commissioning/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/neighbourhood-governance/ In the UK, the deprived neighbourhood has long been a site and scale for intervention and action, giving rise to a variety of forms of neighbourhood governance to achieve a range of purposes. The four predominant rationales for neighbourhood governance are defined by Lowndes and Sullivan (2008): the empowerment of citizens and communities (the civic rationale); partnership to take a holistic approach to an area (social); government through new forms of representation and participation (political); and management in terms of more effective local service delivery (economic). Written by Madeleine Pill Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:17:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/neighbourhood-governance/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/you-couldnt-make-it-up-except-dclg-just-did/ Did you see manager Arsène Wenger's explanation of Arsenal's feeble performance against Manchester City last Sunday? While most players are galvanised by home supporters and see playing at home as an advantage, Arsenal's apparently are scared by theirs. "They have a great desire to do well, so maybe they're a bit too anxious that they don't respond completely to the expectation level of the crowd." Written by Chris Game Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:34:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/you-couldnt-make-it-up-except-dclg-just-did/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/pccs-appointment/ This week, the news media is full of concern for certain newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) making personal appointments to their staff. At face value it does seem rather strange that we are replacing one partially elected body with a handful of appointees with another, but perhaps a more serious issue does sit behind this rather ticklish situation. Written by Ian Briggs Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:11:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/pccs-appointment/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/city-deals/ Today is the deadline for the submission of the second round of 'City Deals'. Twenty cities and city regions are putting proposals to DCLG based around four ambitious objectives. Written by Martin Stott Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:25:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/city-deals/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/jo-moore-was-right-councillors-pensions-finally-are-bad-news/ There's an album track by the heavy metal band, Skyclad, inspired by the most infamous civil service email ever – the 'good day to bury bad news' message by Jo Moore, special adviser to Local Government Minister, Stephen Byers, at 2.55 p.m. on September 11th 2001, an hour after al-Qaeda terrorists crashed their hijacked jets into the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center. I'm no metalhead anyway, but there are two things about the track that especially grate. Written by Chris Game Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:32:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/jo-moore-was-right-councillors-pensions-finally-are-bad-news/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/profit-public-purse/ By 1830 the East India Company had grown in size and influence to be a government in all but name. It had control over a population that was at the time ten times greater than that covered by the British Crown and amounted in economic terms to over one third of the then British economy. The power of the company was such that it has led to a deep seated suspicion of the profit motive in the private sector and individuals that has remained in national and local government ever since – whichever political party has been in control. Written by Ian Briggs Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:29:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/profit-public-purse/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/disability-hate-crime-statistics/ One thing about the BBC that really irritates me - up there with its inane Diamond Jubilee reporting, expensively inept management, and the Today programme's 'Thought for the Day' – is its pathetic practice of basing programmes on what it claims are new, exclusively revealed and/or cunningly researched data, when in fact they are nothing of the kind. Written by Chris Game Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:27:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/disability-hate-crime-statistics/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/welcome-to-the-neighbourhoo/ Earlier this month, a group from the Birmingham Social Inclusion Process (People Key Line of Inquiry) held a one day workshop with representatives from across the voluntary and community sectors in the city, to explore the notion of 'welcome'. As part of its Social Inclusion Inquiry (Giving Hope, Changing Lives), the partnership is considering options for making local communities more welcoming to new entrants (anyone moving into a neighbourhood), in a drive to improve levels of social inclusion. Written by Katherine Tonkiss Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:33:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/welcome-to-the-neighbourhoo/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/george-ferguson-bristo/ The ultimate Zombie Idea of Local Government lives on in the West of England but will budgetary and party political challenges spell an end for the directly elected mayoral model? Written by Thom Oliver Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:18:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/george-ferguson-bristo/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/wenger-on-west-somerset/ In her recent blog on financially distressed councils in general and West Somerset DC in particular, Catherine Staite suggested that we should be talking more about "streamlining the machinery of local government … merging smaller councils", and in effect institutionalising some of the multiplying numbers of apparently cost-saving shared service and shared staffing arrangements. Written by Chris Game Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:36:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/wenger-on-west-somerset/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/making-ends-mee/ Last month West Somerset District Council sent up a distress flare. They can't make ends meet and it is only going to get worse. At the other end of the scale, the Leader of Birmingham City Council has announced £600m of cuts and declared that the changes which are coming will be 'the end of local government as we know it'. LB Barnet's 'graph of doom' demonstrates how rising social care costs will eat up their resources until there is no capacity to do anything else but social care and emptying the dustbins. Written by Catherine Staite. Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:26:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/making-ends-mee/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/bristol-independents-revolutio/ As the only city to hold a mayoral referendum last May and vote in favour, Bristol confirmed its reputation as a city that marches to the beat of a different drum. The mayoral election in November reinforced this maverick status with electors decisively (albeit on a turnout of only 27.9%) electing Independent candidate George Ferguson as Mayor. Post written by Martin Scott. Fri, 23 Nov 2012 17:06:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/bristol-independents-revolutio/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/elected-mayors-problem/ Only one eligible voter in every three participated in the local elections in May 2012, the lowest turnout since 2000 and despite a context of austerity and swingeing public spending cuts. The recent elections for Police and Crime Commissioners saw turnout slump to a record low for a national poll, averaging at 15%. To quote a Guardian editorial, 'lack of engagement is the most eloquent of all the political messages… Blog post written by Catherine Durose. Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:40:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/elected-mayors-problem/ Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/11/who-will-really-commission-the-police.aspx By the end of this month, 41 newly elected Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales will be facing the challenge of filling their diaries with appointments to help them get to grips with a role that is both new and controversial. Whatever their mandate from the electorate, their role will open up some very interesting possibilities around public involvement in policing. Blog post written by Ian Briggs. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:24:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/11/who-will-really-commission-the-police.aspx Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/equal-pay/ You probably caught Monday's headlines: "Country's largest authority hit by £757 million equal pay bill"; "Birmingham taxpayers face massive service cuts to pay for growing compensation bill"; "Council bankrupt if Government withholds borrowing permission". Written by Chris Game. Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:46:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/equal-pay/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/what-difference-might-police-and-crime-commissioners-make/ The elections on 15th November 2012 of 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) for the police force areas of England and Wales (outside London) represents the start of one of the biggest experiments in democratic governance. The new office of PCC, for which there is no known precedent in policing around the world, surely represents the most significant change in at least fifty years in how the police in England and Wales are governed and held to account. Written by john RAine and Paul Keasey. Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:41:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/what-difference-might-police-and-crime-commissioners-make/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/muscular-liberalism/ I noticed recently that, among the links on the right-hand side of this page, we still listed the We Love Local Government blog – which, despite its having been wound up, in characteristic style, several months ago, rather pleased me. It deserves to live on, and, should its belatedly unveiled authors, Glen Ocsko and Gareth Young, happen to see this blog, they may take it as a small personal tribute to them and their … I was going to type 'baby', but that would make them filicidists … creation. Written by Chris Game. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:26:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/muscular-liberalism/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/can-i-vote-please-councillors-budgets-and-illegality/ This week, there is plenty of news about granting 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote. You may therefore be surprised to learn that another group may have their right to vote withdrawn. Okay, I am being slightly flippant here, but there is a potentially serious oversight on whether councillors should be allowed to vote at the full council budget setting meeting. By Philip Whiteman. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:41:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/can-i-vote-please-councillors-budgets-and-illegality/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-council-tax-freeze-part-3-wholl-be-on-this-years-roll-of-shame/ East Cambridgeshire, East Hampshire, East Northamptonshire, South Hams, South Ribble, West Devon – anything you reckon they might have in common, apart from 'compass point' names that for most of us require translation to make much sense: Ely/Newmarket, Petersfield/Alton, Rushden, Totnes, Leyland, Tavistock/Okehampton, if you were wondering. By Chris Game. Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:38:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-council-tax-freeze-part-3-wholl-be-on-this-years-roll-of-shame/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/local-government-and-the-democratic-mandate-an-outdated-model/ Local government could never be described as fashionable, yet today there is more talk than ever about the importance of 'the local'. However, this has converted into less, rather than more, freedom to act locally. Written by Martin Scott. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:10:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/local-government-and-the-democratic-mandate-an-outdated-model/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/ukip-councillors/ One of the minor hypotheses in Chris Game's general theory of local elections concerns the correlation between a party's rating of its own current fortunes and the accuracy of its councillor listings on its national website. In brief: the greater the optimism, the greater the accuracy. Written by Chris Game. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:07:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/ukip-councillors/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/strawberry-tasting-chief-exec-gets-top-civil-service-post/ UK local authorities are among the largest in Europe, spending billions of pounds annually on hundreds of diverse services. Yet it is the fate of some to be associated in the public consciousness, almost solely and seemingly forever, with a single image. Written by Chris Game. Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:14:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/strawberry-tasting-chief-exec-gets-top-civil-service-post/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/roaming-buffalos-high-speed-trains-and-localism/ As the government seeks to develop measures that stimulate the economy through the relaxation of the local planning processes, should we stop for one moment and think about some pretty fundamental issues about the relationship that we, as citizens, have with the locality where we reside – issues that localism may be ignoring? Written by Ian Briggs. Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:46:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/roaming-buffalos-high-speed-trains-and-localism/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/nothing-to-declare-a-troubled-time-for-parishes/ Philip Whiteman writes about Chaddesley Corbett Parish Councils decision not to sign a declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and how it could affect other small parish councils. Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:02:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/nothing-to-declare-a-troubled-time-for-parishes/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/facing-the-future/ To face the future is no easy task for local government. There are deep uncertainties in society challenging government generally. The unknown impact of continuing austerity, the revitalising of the economy barely begun, the neglected issues of climate change and growing inequality all demand a response from government in what could be an increasingly troubled society. Written by Professor John Stewart. Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:04:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/facing-the-future/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/having-a-holiday-may-deliver-more-than-you-expect/ "It is surprising what a holiday can do for you" started the telephone conversation with a senior manager this week. Written by Ian Briggs Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:21:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/having-a-holiday-may-deliver-more-than-you-expect/ Blog INLOGOV institute of local government studies http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/police-and-crime-commissioner-elections-where-the-18-5-turnout-figure-came-from/ Getting exciting, isn't it? Just 78 days and 21 hours (at the time of typing) till polling stations open for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections on 15th November. At least, that's what Birmingham City Council newsroom's dedicated website says - It's been running for nearly three weeks now and, given the dearth of information emanating from the Government, is well worth a visit. By Chris Game Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:01:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/police-and-crime-commissioner-elections-where-the-18-5-turnout-figure-came-from/ Blog INLOGOV institute of local government studies http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/whose-budget-is-it-the-mayors-or-the-councils/ Earlier in the year, during the mayoral referendum debates, I remember using the example of North Tyneside to illustrate how the constant attempts to compare our elected mayors with those in the US were seriously misleading, as ours had and would have considerably more constrained powers than their American counterparts. Written by Chris Game. Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:21:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/whose-budget-is-it-the-mayors-or-the-councils/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/the-lga-are-right-in-the-team-benchmarking-stakes-residents-panels-dont-even-medal/ Credit where it's due – in this case to the Local Government Association's recent decision that data gathered from local residents' panels about their views of and satisfaction with their councils cannot be used for benchmarking purposes. Written by Chris Game. Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:21:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/the-lga-are-right-in-the-team-benchmarking-stakes-residents-panels-dont-even-medal/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/tax-collection-rates/ Council tax collection rates have become an annual Commons ritual, pleasingly coinciding with the first week of Wimbledon. Party whips select a tame Government backbencher – the parliamentary equivalent of a first-round loser – to lob up a couple of juicy written questions for the high-seeded Communities and Local Government Minister to smash away, adding for good measure some unsubtle party spin. This year, though, there were a couple of interesting variations... Written by Chris Game. Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:09:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/tax-collection-rates/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/the-new-virtual-town-hall/ They wear tweeds, ride fold up bicycles and have a strange obsession with bandstands, they are often viewed as being at the fringes of society – a minority interest group with a small but powerfully loyal following - they are those who hold dear to their hearts that our 19th century heritage should never be lost. Written by Ian Briggs Fri, 29 Jun 2012 09:26:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/the-new-virtual-town-hall/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/chapman-chief-executives/ Written by Councillor Graham Chapman. It's not only clothes and pop music which are subject to the vacillations of fashion. They affect the more mundane world of local government too. Elected mayors for example are a fashion of the 'naughties', when larger-than-life bankers, entrepreneurs, football managers, celebrities of all types were supposed to provide solutions to a whole range of problems by dint of pure charisma and personality. Even the staid role of the chief executive is subject to fashion. Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:30:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/chapman-chief-executives/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/mayoral-recall/ Chris Game - Visiting Lecturer at INLOGOV. We'll never know, of course, whether a well publicised mayoral recall provision could have swung some of those lost referendums. My own view is that, with a half-decently organised Government-led Yes campaign – detailing the 'city deals' that mayoral cities could expect, and confirming that mayors elected by voters would be recallable by voters – several additional referendums, including Birmingham's, were comfortably winnable. Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:09:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/mayoral-recall/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/managed-difference-local-solutions-market-forces-anything-but-postcode-lotteries/ It was over six years ago that Sir Michael Lyons launched his campaign to abolish 'postcode lotteries' from the local government lexicon. As he wrote in his 2007 report, "I would hope to see debate about postcode lotteries being replaced, over time, by discussion of 'managed difference' – recognising the right and ability of local communities to make their own choices, confident in their own competence, and in the knowledge of their own preferences. Tue, 29 May 2012 09:40:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/managed-difference-local-solutions-market-forces-anything-but-postcode-lotteries/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/barnet-graph-doom/ A recent SocietyGuardian article on the impact of demographic change on local authority service provision by David Brindle, the paper's Public Services Editor, produced considerable social media comment, but not apparently any actual sighting of the item that kicked the article off: the so-called Barnet Graph of Doom. Time, therefore, for an unveiling, and some demystification. Fri, 25 May 2012 11:03:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/barnet-graph-doom/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/no-vote-birmingham/ What a relief to wake up on Friday morning, 4 May 2012, and know that Birmingham will not have a directly elected mayor. It was a most ill-informed referendum. The media, the business community (both Birmingham-based and national) and the government campaigned in favour. But the case against was hardly made at all until very close to the referendum, so there was little real discussion of what the new post would actually involve, or its advantages and disadvantages. Fri, 18 May 2012 12:11:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/no-vote-birmingham/ Social Sciences http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/briggs-bottom-councillors/ Given last week's frantic media interest in the local elections and the Mayoral referenda, some will find it quite remarkable as to how quickly the events have become old news. Rose Garden 2 has come and gone and even the Queen's Speech outlining the forthcoming legislative agenda has quickly gravitated to the inside pages; yet, for many of the newly elected councillors – over 500 in total – the real work has just started. Most will now be sworn in, horse trading for positions of prominence will be at fever pitch and senior officers and managers will be thinking of ways to develop new working relationships with fresh councillors and new administrations. Mon, 14 May 2012 17:17:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/briggs-bottom-councillors/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/hilary-benn-game/ Chris Game is a Visiting Lecturer at INLOGOV interested in the politics of local government; local elections, electoral reform and other electoral behaviour; party politics; political leadership and management; member-officer relations; central-local relations; use of consumer and opinion research in local government; the modernisation agenda and the implementation of executive local government. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:04:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/hilary-benn-game/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/mayoral-_power_battle/ There was no camouflage flak jacket, no ceremonial mace to brandish, no Downing Street front door through which theatrically to exit a ministerial career, but who needs props, if, like Michael (now Lord) Heseltine, you're one of the great headline-makers of your political generation. He managed it again at last week's University of Birmingham Mayoral Debate, and against the odds. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:32:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/mayoral-_power_battle/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/leadership_programmes/ From the late 1980's a new sub industry emerged in the UK public sector, mass sector wide leadership development programmes. The Health sector was well and truly into this game by this time with huge programmes developing future leaders and the local government sector followed swiftly behind. The very best of these programmes were based upon... Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:59:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/leadership_programmes/ http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/winterval/ The last Valentines have been sent, the last Chinese New Year firecrackers ignited, the last pantomime cast dispersed – even from Bradford's glorious Alhambra, where Robin Hood was outlawing away well into February. In short, Winterval is indubitably over, and here in Birmingham, just possibly, over for ever. Not, please note, over for good – not as far as I'm concerned, anyway. PR disaster though it became, I liked Winterval. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:11:00 GMT http://inlogov.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/winterval/ Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/02/localism-public-health.aspx The plan to impose regulations on local authorities about the employment of Directors of Public Health (DPHs) is wrong on so many levels. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:21:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/02/localism-public-health.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/02/steep-fall-in-uni-application-rates.aspx I shouldhave gone to Ladbrokes and put money on it. I used to do undergraduateadmissions, so I know these things – and I'd have cheerfully bet 50 quid that,come the end of January, there'd be fistfuls of stories headlining howuniversity applications had plummeted this year, "in the face of the hike infees". And of course there were. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:56:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2012/02/steep-fall-in-uni-application-rates.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/12/transgender-councillors-other-census-findings.aspx When survey researchers report to clients, they are often asked about their least surprising finding. If those from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) were asked such a question by the LGA commissioners of the recently published National Census of Local Authority Councillors 2010, they would surely have found it hard to resist their discovery that "the majority of councillors reported that their gender identity was the same as they were assigned at birth" Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:32:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/12/transgender-councillors-other-census-findings.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/12/council-reserves.aspx My keyboard is having some difficulty typing this, but, after much contemplation and inner torment, it reckons – and I do follow its reasoning – that, on the vexed topic of council reserves, Eric Pickles was not all wrong. Partly wrong, yes; needlessly provocative, of course – with his headline-seeking remarks last November, on the eve of an eye-wateringly tough finance settlement, about councils hoarding reserves and turning town hall vaults into Fort Knox; but yes, he did and does have a point. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:12:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/12/council-reserves.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/reflections-localism-act.aspx On 11th November INLOGOV held a one day conference, chaired by Professor Tony Bovaird, on the implications of the Localism Act for local government and the communities they serve. Speakers included Paul Rowsell (insert job title) from CLG, who has overseen the progress of the Bill through Parliament, Gavin Jones, Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council, Ed Hammond of the Centre for Public Scrutiny and Catherine Staite, Director of INLOGOV. Four workshops in the afternoon explored the issues around elected mayors, the Big Society, the future role of scrutiny and referendums. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:31:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/reflections-localism-act.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/elected-mayors.aspx There are usually two reasonable expectations of Bills introduced by governments with safe parliamentary majorities. First, there won't be many significant changes or concessions, especially to any bits known to be personal enthusiasms of ministers. Second, there will be fewer uncertainties at the end than at the beginning. On both counts, the elected mayoral sections of the Localism Bill/Act have proved exceptional. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:51:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/elected-mayors.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/lies-damned-lies-hackney.aspx As you'll have noticed, it's National Adoption Week. It's also Get Local Councils Week, but, given that it's roughly the 44th of these this year, it may have escaped your attention. Still, you'll no doubt recognise the formula. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:53:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/11/lies-damned-lies-hackney.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/local-authority-chief-executives.aspx Last week brought the news that yet another chief executive role is being abolished – this time it's LGC's mystery columnist. This follows plans by Wiltshire and Hastings to get rid of theirs. What can be driving this? Not performance, surely. Cost perhaps – but the chief executive's salary is a drop in the ocean in terms of what many councils need to save over the next three years. What then is going on? Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:04:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/local-authority-chief-executives.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/citizenship-survey.aspx You may have seen the headline in the LGC: 'SURVEY SHOWS RECORD HIGH TRUST IN COUNCILS' (lgcplus, September 23), and the explanatory opening sentence: 'The last-ever government survey of public attitudes towards citizenship has found trust in local government at a record high.'... Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:07:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/citizenship-survey.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/eric-pickles-rubbish-views.aspx Back in June, before Eric Pickles had, as one DCLG civil servant put it, 'raided every biscuit tin in the building' to find his £250 million to help councils retain or restore weekly bin collections, I wrote a blog on AWCs (Alternate Weekly Collections and other rubbish thoughts). It was not a topic in which previously I had had more than a mild consumer curiosity, but, as often happens, after writing about it my interest increased. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:04:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/eric-pickles-rubbish-views.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/you-cant-mandate-collaboration.aspx Local and national government in Wales have collided over an attempt by the Local Government Minister to require local authorities to work together to deliver public services. The Minister's proposals aligned groups of local authorities with the seven health boards with the aim of improving co-operation across councils and with health boards to generate more efficient and effective delivery of local public services. Welsh local government and the WLGA objected to these proposals and have refused to implement them. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:15:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/10/you-cant-mandate-collaboration.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/09/core-cities-amendment-mayoral-implications.aspx However sceptical you (or I) may be about the House of Lords' vaunted ability subtly but significantly to amend government legislation, when a normally thwarted Opposition Spokesperson describes one of these amending sessions as 'an almost biblical experience', it at least arouses your curiosity. After all, you don't get many ABEs down the corridor in, as they insist on calling it, 'the other place'. And indeed, the amendment in question – albeit potentially and allowing for a bit of baronial rhetoric – is quite a biggie. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:09:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/09/core-cities-amendment-mayoral-implications.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/08/norwegian-democracy-stoltenberg-bertelsmann.aspx One can only speculate about the words other recent Prime Ministers or their spin doctors might have come up with, faced by the tragic events in Oslo on July 22 2011. Those, however, that seemed to come instinctively and personally to Norway's PM, Jens Stoltenberg, within hours of having himself been the main target of the initial car bomb, were as remarkable as they were memorable: 'We will retaliate with more democracy'. Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:21:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/08/norwegian-democracy-stoltenberg-bertelsmann.aspx http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/08/county-flags-coats-of-arms.aspx Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, is flying England's county flags in weekly rotation, to celebrate the counties' importance in the nation's cultural heritage and government. Last week was Warwickshire's turn, and the flag hoisted was the one most county residents would probably recognise: bright red and yellow, three complicated crosses known as cross-crosslets, and the well-known 'bear and ragged staff'. Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:20:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/08/county-flags-coats-of-arms.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/06/alternate-weekly-rubbish-collections.aspx There are moments – perhaps a minute or two a month – when I almost wish our local government was fractionally less, rather than immensely more, localised. Last month's moment was about AWC – Alternate Weekly Collection of domestic refuse – which, coincidentally, featured prominently in the local elections exactly four years ago, in May 2007. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:34:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/06/alternate-weekly-rubbish-collections.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/05/ultimate-pivotal-voters-ramsbottom.aspx Some of my social science colleagues, being both concerned citizens and mathematically inclined, spend sizable portions of their academic lives investigating why some of us bother to vote and others don't. Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:24:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/05/ultimate-pivotal-voters-ramsbottom.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/05/big-society.aspx The impact of local authority spending cuts on the voluntary sector has provoked demands from the sector for special treatment and exhortations from the Secretary of State and his ministers for councils to cut their own 'bureaucracy' before cutting funding to voluntary bodies. Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/05/big-society.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/04/council-tax-recovery.aspx If you're fed up with football, why not kick local government? Anyone can play. In February we had a BBC 'investigation' discovering that 'cash-strapped local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales failed to collect £530 million in council tax in 2009-10'. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/04/council-tax-recovery.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/04/conservative-labour-councils.aspx When I used to teach undergraduates, one way I'd introduce the really basic stuff about council tax would be to have them Google 'Conservative councils cost you less', then 'Labour councils cost you less', and get them to explain how both claims were true and, on their own, almost equally meaningless. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/04/conservative-labour-councils.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/03/too-reasonable-for-television.aspx Imagine my excitement when INLOGOV was approached by researchers for a television programme about selling public assets. The format was to be a panel debate. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/03/too-reasonable-for-television.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/03/elected-mayors.aspx Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/03/elected-mayors.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/community-rights.aspx The government has been calling on local authorities to offer a greater role to the voluntary sector in the provision of its services, not least because David Cameron sees the voluntary sector as a crucial mainstay of the 'Big Society'. The importance which the government ascribes to the voluntary and community sector is evident in the Localism Bill. Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/community-rights.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/knitting-boxing-gloves.aspx Without the support of local government there will be no Big Society. Using centralist means to achieve a local Big Society is like knitting in boxing gloves - doomed to failure. Sun, 27 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/knitting-boxing-gloves.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/building-local-government-capacity-big-society.aspx Academics at the Institute of Local Government Studies are currently involved in a topical and exciting study to find out what is enabling or blocking the development of 'Big Society' ideas in different communities. Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/building-local-government-capacity-big-society.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/centralist-tendencies-of-the-localism-bill.aspx INLOGOV's new publication on the Bill ('The World will be your Oyster': Perspectives from the Institute of Local Government Studies on The Localism Bill), in thirteen short chapters, provides a comprehensive analysis of the main provisions in the Bill – explaining what is intended and what the provisions are likely to mean. Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/centralist-tendencies-of-the-localism-bill.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/health-social-care-bill.aspx David Miliband said in his speech in the House of Commons on Monday 31 January 2011 that the Bill is not a 'curate's egg' with some good bits and some bad but rather is wholly bad. But is he right? Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/health-social-care-bill.aspx Social Sciences http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/local-authority-chief-executives-endangered-species.aspx Chief Executives pay has been the focus of much attention in recent weeks. Ministers say they must take a cut in pay or spread themselves across several authorities - apart from those cities where there will be an executive mayor, in which case those chief executives should simply fade away. If such things were done, the ministers argue, the impact of central government cuts would hardly be felt at the frontline. Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/government-society/departments/local-government-studies/news/2011/02/local-authority-chief-executives-endangered-species.aspx Social Sciences