Rob Whiteman - Learning Pool Conference

Public Sector Learning Conference 12 May 2010

The importance of collaboration in 21st century government

Rob Whiteman, MD of IDeA

The next 3 years in local government will be characterised by the following…..

Massive budget cuts

Downsized councils in terms of headcount won't get you very far

A real need to do better for less

Efficiencies can only get you so far...

Innovation = change = collaboration.

Why collaboration?Collaboration between councils isn’t optional any more.  Why?

1.       Lack of money

2.       Effectiveness

Why collaboration?

3.       Service improvement

4.       Engagement with citizens, partners, service providers

Collaboration really works!There are three elements to councils collaborating:

- internally between departments- externally between several councils and/or other local partners- with citizens

Example of internal collaboration:

Devon County Council piloted the use of social networking technology within the organisation

to see what efficiencies could be produced

several departments were involved in the trial

Results of internal collaboration:

email traffic for those involved was greatly reduced

less interruptive and more efficient method of communication

Example of partnership working collaboration

Safer Sutton Partnership (SSP)

was the first partnership to create a fully integrated police and local authority team under single line management.

Results of partnership working collaboration

led to better performance management

big savings

SSP was awarded national Beacon status

Example of citizen collaboration

Kent Country Council and Medway Council

project called Transformed by You

which saw citizens suggest ideas for improving local services using the internet

Results of citizen collaboration

Prototype services by volunteer developers with input from non-techy attendees

Projects to be assessed by the councils as to how they can best be taken forward

Results of citizen collaboration

Prototype services by volunteer developers with input from non-techy attendees

Projects to be assessed by the councils as to how they can best be taken forward

The IDeA’s role in this

• Knowledge Hub• Sharing best practice• Using technology• Other relevant IDeA initiatives

Where does Learning and Development fit in?

Our modern councils are about improving our people so that we can meet challenges through

Smarter recruitmentTalent management

Questions

Public Sector Learning Conference 12 May 2010

The importance of collaboration in 21st century government

Rob Whiteman, MD of IDeA