DMU Politics research being used to champion change in local government

Research by De Montfort University Leicester is being used in a new campaign to raise awareness of public sector innovation among policy makers and politicians.

The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) has teamed up with ITN Productions as part of the drive to celebrate and share best practice in local government.

It is part of APSE’s Promoting Excellence campaign, which highlights examples of innovative and different ways for councils have used to maintain services and engage with communities.

Professor Steven Griggs, Professor of Public Policy at DMU, is interviewed in the programme giving an overview of how the funding picture has changed for councils and the challenges they face.

He said: “Traditionally councils have been seen as enablers, passively providing services. There is now a move towards what has been called the ensuring council, with a more active engagement and works with local communities.”

Prof Griggs has worked with APSE several times, examining the ways in which changes to local government have affected services and staff. He is now part of a DMU-led research project which studies the differing responses to austerity programmes around the world.

Previously his work has uncovered the existence of ‘two tribes’ among local politicians after a modernisation programme split councillors between backbenchers and those in decision-making roles.

The programme, hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky, can be viewed here. It was premiered at the APSE Annual Seminar last month. Dr Griggs also presented an award for best community and neighbourhood initiative at the event.

An APSE spokesman said: “The objective is to heighten awareness among policy makers, politicians and the wider sector about the forward thinking initiatives across the UK which help shape the future of local government and the communities it serves.”

Paul O’Brien, Chief Executive, APSE, said: “At a time when local government faces continuing financial pressures I hope that ‘Promoting Excellence’ will be an opportunity for local government to showcase innovation and excellence in service delivery.

“Collaboration is critical to how we deliver effective services and exploit the latest tools, techniques and technologies to ensure effective and efficient local services that go beyond the basics and help deliver world class local public services that really make a positive difference to our local communities’.

APSE is a not-for-profit local government body which works with more than 300 councils to promote excellence in public services.