News

April 22, 2010 - article from Cllr R Stone published in LGA First magazine

Local Authorities in Yorkshire and Humber are leading the way in developing sector led improvement by providing peer support and challenge across political and geographical boundaries throughout the region.

Local Government across the country is facing some of its biggest ever challenges with public sector spending cuts and efficiency targets changing the way in which local authorities and their partners have traditionally operated. Across Yorkshire and Humber we are embracing these challenges through sector-led improvement and cross-partner collaboration and support. This is creating real efficiencies and delivering better services for local people, proving that for Councils in Yorkshire and Humber citizens are at the heart of what they do.

Local Government Yorkshire and Humber (LGYH) and YoHr Space both work closely with the region’s councils and their partners to support this collaboration.  LGYH is the regional partnership of local authorities, including fire, police and national park authorities and YoHr Space is the Improvement and Efficiency Partnership for the region, hosted by LGYH. Both are sector-led organisations made up of Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives as well as representatives from the wider public sector.

As Chair of both LGYH and YoHr Space I have met with each of the region’s local authority Leaders and Chief Executives to encourage open discussion, collaboration and challenge.  These meetings were to build strong cross-party support which is fundamental to sector-led challenge. The regular one-to-ones are a strong example of regional commitment to sector-led improvement.

The region’s authorities recognise we are responsible for our own improvement and realise that this can best be achieved by working together. The Mutuality Statement and Improvement Framework we have developed sets us apart. The 22 local authorities that make up LGYH are committed to working together by offering and receiving support as well as providing peer challenge.  Importantly this commitment is being extended to the Police, Fire and Rescue Service and Health authorities. This wider public sector commitment in the region will better equip us for taking on future initiatives such as Total Place and Total Capital.

Through the Improvement Framework, YoHr Space, the IDeA, Local Improvement Advisors and our councils are able to offer help, advice, guidance and practical support. For example, the regional network for Directors of Children's Services is providing peer support for Authorities that are facing particular performance challenges in children's services.  The network is currently working with the Yorkshire and Humber RIEP to develop a peer support package focused on improving children's safeguarding services across the region.

The first CAA results have identified that over 90% of Yorkshire and Humber local authorities are performing well or adequately. In the region local authorities were awarded seven green flags, from which learning and best practice is being shared. However the region also received a number of red flags highlighting services requiring action to improve.  The Improvement Framework is a way for councils and their partners to promote excellence and tackle areas requiring additional action, through a comprehensive framework of support including peer to peer exchanges and Local Improvement Advisor assignments.

The framework follows the development of a 12 point Economic Pledge in 2008 by LGYH Members, that demonstrated our economic leadership. This demonstrated the flexibility and responsiveness of each local authority to offer housing, jobs, cash flow and contract opportunities to the region’s residents and businesses, focusing on those most in need. Amongst its measures, the Economic Pledge confirmed the commitment of all local authorities in Yorkshire and Humber to pay providers and contractors promptly; use procurement powers to benefit the local economy; notify Jobcentre Plus of council job vacancies; and bring forward capital spending programmes to stimulate local economies.

Strong leadership is essential to the success of regional collaboration. LGYH and YoHr Space have both identified this and support Member Development. Examples of this include Lead Member Support and Development for Children and Adult Services; tailored support for Member Development Officers; and working with West Yorkshire Police Authority and Fire and Rescue Services’ Member Development. 
We know our local authorities overall are improving well, however we recognise that we still face challenges that will become more acute over the coming months and years as pressure on the public purse increases.
Both YoHr Space and LGYH are committed to the concept of sector-led improvement. Together we will continue to work with councils, their partners and other support organisations to ensure that our sector-led improvement support is able and flexible to respond to the challenges our authorities face.

Cllr Roger Stone
Chair of LGYH and YoHr Space
Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
 

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