Improving the Reputation of SY Local Authorities
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Workstream:
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Corporate Improvement and Value for Money – Business Transformation
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Title:
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Improving the Reputation of SY Local Authorities
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Scope:
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Sub-regional South Yorkshire
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Funds awarded:
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£80,000
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Lead contact:
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Iain Thomson
Tel: 01302 862364
Email: iain.thomson@doncaster.gov.uk
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Background:
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This application supports the development and delivery of reputation management plans for each local authority within the sub-region of South Yorkshire. This programme will utilise quality research specifically commissioned within the sub-region to develop a methodology to use as the basis for the plans. This methodology can then be used by other local authorities within the wider region to form the basis of their plans. |
The programme directly links to the aim of the Corporate Improvement & Value for Money board in attempting to transform the public perception of authorities in the region. Current levels of satisfaction with each authority in the sub-region, based on the results of the 2008 Place Survey, remain poor, with no authority recording a satisfaction level of more than 40% - significantly lower than the national average. This correlates with an even poorer perception of the value for money that each authority offers. This acts as a significant hindrance the delivery of priorities that rely on the public working with us (e.g. Community Assemblies, Community Justice, and Community Cohesion). This perception also detracts from the public making the link between their neighbourhoods being better places to live and the improvements ostensibly made in service delivery.
a) A body of research to guide future working on reputation. Using a variety of proven research methods of more intrinsic value than postal surveying, this research will highlight, for each area and the sub-region, the key drivers for satisfaction and a comprehensive picture relating to existing strengths and weaknesses.
b) A methodology to use as the basis of future plans. Based on common elements within the research, this methodology will be used as the starting point to cover major elements within any reputation plan.
c) Improved thinking relating to reputation management. Senior officers and Members will benefit from this knowledge in aiding their understanding of what matters to residents.
d) Greater co-operation between South Yorkshire local authorities. By using existing sub-regional structures to drive the programme, this augments existing working and will encourage the authorities to work more closely in other areas in the future.
e) Reputation Plans for each local authority and for the sub-region. This programme commits all four local authorities, and the sub-region, to develop effective, fully resourced reputation plans. The programme will also, via sub-regional governance arrangements, require local authorities to regularly update progress and to seek the views of the public on a far more frequent basis than what currently exists.
• Local PI: Satisfaction with the way the Council runs things (Ex-BVPI 3)
• Local PI: Agreement that the Council provides value for money
• NI 4: % of people who feel they can influence decisions in their locality
• NI 140: Fair treatment by local services
If reputation plans are developed and implemented effectively, this improvement should also be matched with an improvement in NI 5: Overall/general satisfaction with the local area. This will demonstrate that the public surveyed would make direct links between improvements felt in neighbourhoods with the efforts put in by local services. Each area would also see improved democratic participation, as more residents would feel that the Council considered their views in meeting their needs.