Small is beautiful

This pamphlet outlines a way that local authorities can lead the way in developing innovation in public services.

This pamphlet outlines a way that local authorities can lead the way in developing innovation in public services.

Key findings:

  • Each of the projects included in this pamphlet provided real benefits for its community.
  • They have managed to achieve what they have because they are small. 
  • This suggests that a stronger culture of innovation can be developed in local government from the ground-up, project-by-project, and the benefits and experience of doing so can build over time.
  • We recommend that each local authority create an innovation fund, composed of (some proportion of) the funding currently allocated to discretionary expenditure.
  • Central government should work with local authorities to ensure a successful trial of this approach.

In this pamphlet we profile ten innovative local projects led by frontline staff and service teams in local government.

 

Each project has improved services in their area and provided real benefits for local communities, from reducing offending behaviour to increasing social cohesion.

 

It is possible to achieve much more of this type of radical improvement in local government - but only if we provide a new way to encourage and support local innovation by creating funds drawn from local discretionary spending.

 

Author:
Glyn Gaskarth