In response to the profound economic and political changes which have occurred
in recent times, LARCI has commissioned research on four critical strategic questions,
as identified by the
LARCI Strategic Board, specifically:
For each theme, there will be a review of the evidence around the research question
and an in-depth, practitioner led, evaluation of the nature of the evidence and
recommendations for the development of policy and practice.
Co-production of Services
As outlined in the
‘Big Society’ agenda, there is a growing need for people to
work together to achieve the successful reform of public sector services. This report,
commissioned by LARCI, explores the topic of ‘Co-production’ which is essentially
about the delivery of public services being shared between local authorities and
citizens. It introduces the most promising areas for co-production, at an individual
citizen and collective community level, and uses case studies to highlight the potential
efficiency gains that can be achieved. This commissioned work was completed in January
2010. The final report is available below.
View the Final Report
here
View the Summary Report
here
View the Project Details
here
New Horizons in Local Governance
With the impact of
credit crunch and recession and the prospect of sharp reductions
in public spending, what type of local governance arrangements will emerge to deal
with the new circumstances? LARCI's ‘New Horizons in Local Governance’ theme raises
serious questions about challenges for local governance, and how far existing institutions
and practices are best equipped for future needs. Focusing on the medium to long-term,
LARCI is exploring the implications for local governance of scenarios for change
in two main areas: 1) an age of austerity 2) complex challenges for society such
as climate change, the actions necessary to mitigate and adapt to it, and shifting
demography. This commissioned work is on-going. Final output will be available as
a pamphlet shortly.
View the Bibliographic Review
here
View the Workshop Summary
here
View the Project Information
here
View the final report
Integrated Budgeting and Joint Decision-making for Local Communities
The public sector
faces unprecedented declines in budgets and traditional approaches
to identifying and releasing savings are therefore likely to be inadequate. At the
same time, the need for improved local service quality has not gone away putting
Councils under pressure from many directions. One of their responses has been to
align or pool budgets across areas and organisations. This LARCI funded project
is seeking to establish evidence on whether aligning and pooling budgets are effective
in improving services or delivering them more efficiently. This workstream has two
main aims: to establish the costs and benefits of aligning or pooling budgets across
activities, services, and organisations; and to help councils, and their partners
decide on when, and how, to align or pool budgets. This commissioned work is on-going.
Final output will be available in January/February 2011.
View the final report
here
View the Project Information
here
View the Discussion Summary
View the Full Discussion Paper
Managing Risk and Uncertainty in Local Governance
Local government
operates in a complex and uncertain environment, with expectations
that are challenging and sometimes unrealistic. In implementing significant budget
reductions over the coming period, it is vital that Councils understand different
types of risk, and the variety of approaches that they may need to adopt to respond
to such risks. Councils need a two pronged approach. Firstly they need to build
coherent and robust approaches to uncertainty and risk into their decision making
processes. This requires fit for purpose models to guide risk appraisal and consequent
risk management, and an acceptance that risk management is itself a risky business.
Secondly they need to sense opportunities for service improvement and cost reduction,
in the context of uncertainty of finance and service demands. Council leaders need
confidence that their risk assessments are based on sufficiently sophisticated and
fit for purpose models. This commissioned work is on-going. Final output will be
available in February 2011.
View the Project Information
here
View the final report