cadence comments about innovation

2 Jul 2010

Not all cuts are the same

There is no disagreement that there needs to be cuts to public spending, but that is where the agreement stops. What to cut, when to cut it and why to cut are all areas of conflict across and within political parties, the media and institutions like think tanks. We have discussed here in the past the dangers of cutting without understanding which bits of a system help and which hinder. The new government, understandably, talks about cutting out the waste that the last government created. Nobody can argue with cutting waste, but defining what is waste is not easy ... more

17 Mar 2010

Total place, consultation and 3rd sector projects

Cadence have recently started 3 new pieces of work which refllect how our approach works across a number of different areas. One bit is looking at the implications of the Total Place initiative. We have been following TP since our work on innovation ... more

4 Feb 2010

More to easyCouncil than name suggests?

The idea of local authorities adopting a budget airline, no frills approach has been around for a year or so now and originates from Conservative controlled Barnet. It's been labelled easyCouncil and the image that conjures up is not exactly positive, particularly for anyone interested in making the business case for local government (Work Cadence are involved in for LGYH). A profile of the ex-Leader of Barnet in the Society section of the Guardian this week made good reading, because the shorthand has perhaps masked some of the more interestng features of the approach. While the 'relentless drive for efficiency' is what one might expect to see, the focus on families with multiple needs catches the eye. The article goes on to highlight some problems Freer faced as Leader that demonstrate that nothing is ever that easy in local government ... more

21 Jan 2010

Place-based innovation report launch

The Whitehall Innovation Hub is launching a report called ‘Place- Based Innovation' in February 2010. Cadence have helped with this work over the last couple of years. Irene Lucas, Director General for Local Government and Regeneration and the report's authors will outline the main findings from the publication detailing why place based innovation is so significant at this present time. Professor Sue Richards, Director of the Sunningdale Institute, will host the launch ... more

6 Jan 2010

Let it snow?

How does a decent snowfall change behaviour? It does seem to liberate adults to play with their kids. Sledging and snowballing are things the whole family can enjoy. People are walking who never normally do, are they enjoying it? For once children are allowed to play on the road. The Prime Minister has called for neighbours to look out for each other ... do they really need asking ... more

4 Jan 2010

2020 about 2010

Over the festive season the media is full of reviews of the previous year, which morph into predictions for the coming year as the holiday progresses. Some revisit previous predictions and admit that their visions for the year were somewhat less than 20:20 ... more

25 Nov 2009

Rewarding risk and collaboration?

The Guardian public service awards have been announced today. The whole tone is that innovation is the key to 'coming period of belt-tightening'. The overall winner is a partnerhsip between Birmingham's council and PCT, where they gave out cards offering free use of civic sports facilities, in return for attending four time a month. The aim is to reduce health inequalities and is attracitng interest form those responsible for ensuring a London Olympic legacy of participation in sport ... more

5 Nov 2009

Innovation Charter ?

A joint ippr/RSA event 'After the downturn' took place in Newcastle this week at the The Pukka Pie Arena or whatever St James' Park is called this week. Speakers John Tomaney, Deborah Jenkins, Sir George Russell all had interesting things to say, but it was Matthew Taylor of the RSA who shook things up. He descirbed the final report of the Commission on public sector reform 'a decent bit of work', but that it had a 'if only feel to it' ... more

2 Nov 2009

Public service paradox

ippr north has published the final report of the Commission on public sector reform in the North East. It is called Public service paradox ... more

30 Sep 2009

It'll look alright when it is washed

There is a barber in Liverpool with a sign above his shop that says 'it'll look alright when it is washed'. How will local authorities look in a few years after their cuts? How are local authorities preparing for cuts in their budgets? How should they prepare and is there a smart way to make cuts? Should departments be selling themselves and making sure everyone knows what great work they are doing ... more