Beyond Sharing

Beyond sharing, post public sector reform and with the "Big Society" operating what will the new sustainable model of local government in district councils look like? What's the end game? Where are we aiming to get to? The LGID assembled a small group of district council chief executives to explore both how we are preparing for the immediate future but also the longer term. Here are some of the issues we touched on:

• Opportunities to generate income (including return on investment of funds)
• Creating a culture of innovation
• What is / will be the acceptable cost of democracy
• Creating "super" districts - by agreement , hostile takeovers
• How far can we / do we want to move towards self service on line - "Amazon Council"
• Workforce planning for this new vision for districts
• "Franchise Council "

The unattributed quote of the day " don't make your services too efficient if you want to outsource them as the private sector will not be interested" Amongst many present there was a real appetite to take on the private sector and not just hand over rich pickings.

The LGID are preparing a pamphlet, based upon interviews with us and covering some of the transformational things that are happening now, which they hope to publish shortly.

As always I'd like to hear views - please post your comments particularly on what you think district councils will be like in 10 years time.