Open Source Governance
Thursday, April 9th, 2009Modern technology, coupled with open source philosophy, will have a profound effect on public and civic life. Do those of us in politics really appreciate this? Are we up for the Challenge?
Snow, Salt & Grit: Just in Time and Public Service
Thursday, February 5th, 2009The current weather crisis has highlighted a number of issues about just in time efficiencies and local government. While public services have become more efficient in recent years perhaps the policy drive that goes with it is not always helpful and, perhaps, not always honest.
Maybe the current crisis should encourage a more public debate?
Public Sector Fat Cats?
Thursday, January 31st, 2008This morning I was struck - as I browsed through - WH Smiths - by the front page of the Daily Express (I think this is the first time the Express has been quoted here).
The Express was considering the mixture of local public service cuts, rising Council Tax and the souring costs of senior pay [...]
The Full Costs of PFI?
Friday, January 18th, 2008The recent report by the National Audit Office into Private Finance Initiative contracts, within the public sector, raises important issues for politicians - both local and national.
PFI contracts are allocated - in the main - by price; the cheapest contract wins. But life isn’t that simple. PFI contracts are long. In many ways the trick [...]
Being Tough on Targets?
Saturday, November 3rd, 2007I don’t know about you but I was quite taken aback with Gordon Brown’s speech on education this week. He was going to be tough. He was going to be closing poor schools, within five years, if they hadn’t improved quickly enough. What’s so new about that? And then, on Friday, came the publication [...]
Targets - Hope At last?
Friday, July 6th, 2007It’s proving to be a topsy-turvey week. Yesterday we reverted back to the politics of hot air, with the Department of Communities initiative that never was. But today something happened that may be far more enlightening. I’m talking about James Purnell’s first speech as Secretary of State at the Department of Culture, Media and [...]
