Newsletter, April 2009
Please let us know what you think of this Newsletter, feedback is always very welcome !
Squeeze on public spending
The squeeze on public spending from 2011 looks certain to lead to shortfalls in local councils budgets, leaders have warned.
April’s Budget estimated that growth in public spending will fall from 2.1 % cent to 0.7 % in real terms from 2011-12 to 2014. The Local Government Association, which represents more than 350 councils in England, warned that the spending slowdown would lead to tough choices for councils, which had funding increases below other services such as health, education and transport in the last three-year spending round.
Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “A future squeeze in public spending risks jeopardising local services.
“Vital frontline services to local people could be affected unless councils are able to take the best decisions for local people. They must have greater freedom to decide how best to spend scarce resources for the benefit of local people.
“Just as households are doing across the country during the recession, we all have to tighten our belts, but Ministers should realise that they can only keep on squeezing out savings for so long and that further efficiencies will not solve the pressures caused by cuts in funding.
“Local government is already the most efficient part of the public sector, achieving well over a billion pounds of savings over each of the last few years and consistently outperforming government targets. Councils will continue to be as efficient as they can, but any decision to cut budgets further will leave them with difficult decisions about priorities at a time when there is ever greater demand on services.”
Recession proof your website.
The IDeA is urging councils to recession proof their website to ensure that key information and essential resources reach their residents and businesses. At this time of uncertainty and acute financial pressure, effective signposting of support – advice, guidance, financial and other – could help employers, employees and residents survive these times of difficulty. The IDeA have created a good practice resource which is designed to help local authorities and their partners refresh their websites in response to the challenging economic climate.
For more information about this resource click here
60 Seconds with East Herts District Council
East Herts District Council has recently begun offering ModernCouncillor to its Councillors. Read what Councillor Deborah Clark thinks of the e-learning service provided by Learning Pool.
Where did you hear about Modern Councillor?
The Democratic services department of my council made me aware of the service. I was given the log-in and website details of Modern Councillor and I first started using the service at home, after work.
What courses have you looked at?
So far I have looked at the Overview and Scrutiny, Your Role as a Councillor and
Community Leadership courses but I have also had a quick look at other courses.
What do you think of the courses?
I believe the courses were well worded and thought out. The courses explained their given topic brilliantly and I believe the principle of the service is very good.
In your opinion does this form of training have any benefits over classroom training?
Yes, it gives councillors training when they want, at their own pace and training which fits into their schedule, not the other way around! Unlike classroom training you can return to the training at a different time or day, which allows the courses to be used as an information source as well as a training tool.
This month’s Featured Course
Community Leadership
Focusing on Understanding Community Leadership, Achieving Effective Leadership and Community cohesion, this course aims to encourage councillors to think about what it means to lead their communities; explain where the new focus on leading communities has arisen from and it follows our very own Cllr Pete Bennett as he addresses issues in his local community.
In addition the course touches on how Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements contribute to community leadership and considers how Councillors can help make their communities more cohesive. Comprising four sections, this course will take just over 30 minutes to complete in one go or about 9 minutes per section.
To find out more about this course click here
Out ‘n’ About with Modern Councillor
Recently members of the team have been travelling around the country visiting Councils to demonstrate Modern Councillor. Here are some highlights:
- On April 7th, our very own John went to the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to meet some members and demonstrated Modern Councillor in a dedicated workshop.
- Janet & Lynn recently visited some members from the West Midlands Member Development Network. The Modern Councillor demo was warmly received and there was time at the end for lots of questions.
Tweety Hall
The first ever Twittering service for councillors, councils and the public has been launched by the LGA Group.
Tweety Hall is a new online service for councillors and their local residents, brought to them by the LGA Group, to enable people to track what their local councillor is doing online.
Green council promotes walking
Members of Stroud Town Council will be able to claim expenses for walking to meetings from next month under a pioneering green scheme.
Councillors claim the decision - which would entitle them to a 42.9p per mile uniform rate for driving, cycling and walking on official business - is based on environmental factors.
The authority - thought to be the first parish or town council to introduce the measure - hopes others will follow its lead.
