How can technology support place-based public services?

We'll be kicking off our next #Lab25 event in Clyde Room, Arena Floor at 12:00 – join us to hear from John Denham, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, @pwc-uk.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social zurl.co/CbUyF

How can technology support place-based public services?

Another IfG fringe event at the Labour Party Conference, with Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe
@pwc-uk.bsky.social
@jesstud.bsky.social @wearenewlocal.bsky.social
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-la...

www.linkedin.com/company/publ... been meaning to cross post this on here. First PSR newsletter! Please share @pollymackenzie.bsky.social @simonparker.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social @jamestplunkett.bsky.social

Here we go…

@jesstud.bsky.social & @vibrantkatiekelly.bsky.social open #StrongerThings 2025 🌟

“We gather at a time when the outlines of change have been drawn, but now it’s time for us all to bring some colour to the canvas.”

“There is one policy option open to the Government which would lay the groundwork for a deep shift in how public investment secures better outcomes”.

@jydenham.bsky.social‬ & @jesstud.bsky.social‬ set out 5 reasons the Government should launch Total Place 2.0.

Great summary of the case for Total Place. As the article says, there's a wide coaltion of organisations who support this.

This was @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's contribution from earlier this month: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

It’s a very big day for me – @wearenewlocal.bsky.social launches Where People Meet: Where People Meet: How We Celebrate, Sustain and Reimagine Community Centres.

www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...

Returning from unintended mini bluesky hiatus to make the niche but relevant point that the mayors of North Tyneside and Doncaster are *not the same* as the other mayors up for election on Thursday.

This looks v. interesting.

This isn’t rocket science but far too few neighbourhoods do it well:

“The humble bench – improved with armrests, numbered to aid in a medical emergency, or placed strategically for wellbeing and intergenerational conversation – can be transformative…”

"Those in leadership positions are required to work in ways which don’t have a clear rulebook."

@jesstud.bsky.social writes about a new leadership model emerging in the public sector.

"The problems councils face are deeply interconnected. Traditional hierarchical structures don’t work well for solving these complex issues"

@benunsworth.co.uk @tpximpact.com on the revolution in local gov leadership (+ design thinking & digital transformation).

Q: What can England learn from the approaches in devolved nations?

@jesstud.bsky.social: lots to learn in England e.g. Welsh future generations act and Scottish empowerment of communities act. The scale creates better system working. Would like to see more of this at sub-regional level in England.

Good to hear @jesstud.bsky.social bang the drum again for Total Place 2.0.

www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/tot...

#BennettInst

Q&A

- @jesstud.bsky.social funding local govt properly leads to investment in things that matter to people – the fabric of community life
- @rodriguez-pose.bsky.social economic success stories do not always come from biggest cities
- T. Walker: need an environment that incentivises long-termism

@jesstud.bsky.social says that there is an opportunity with the devolution agenda to shift to a different way of governing.

At the moment hasn't been holistic enough. It needs to be about community-led policymaking, not just a repatriation of a function to a different level.

#BennettInst

"National policy has a bias towards structural reform as a tool for change. Radical leadership cannot be legislated for, but the culture change it reflects no less impactful."

@jesstud.bsky.social writes about a new leadership model emerging in the public sector.

Fascinating discussions at #dcnconf2025- reorganisation top of agenda- but questions re purpose & outcomes at heart.

@jimmcmahon.co.uk was clear about challenges but stressed importance of imagining the future & public service reform that combines benefits of scale w/ being rooted in communities.

Fed up with what’s going on in the world but still wanna change it? Come and work with us…

Link to the full report here: www.neighbourhoodscommission.org.uk/report/inter...

ICON Commissioner @jonrouse.bsky.social sets out how the only level at which it is possible to join up public services, vcs & wider support that matters to people is the neighbourhood.

This cannot be done from on high, must be based on deep understanding of the dynamics of different communities.

Good to be at the launch of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods interim report launch with Alex Norris MP.

The report urges recognition of “mission-critical neighbourhoods”- most deprived areas that do worst on outcomes associated w/ Govt’s missions on growth, health, opportunity & safety.

Really looking forward to hosting this event in Manchester with @carnegieuk.bsky.social to discuss their latest Life in the UK report and the role of collective wellbeing, with @andywestwood.bsky.social responding…

Thanks so much, and for sharing Andrew!

Great paper by @jesstud.bsky.social, Shaheen Warren, @annarandle.bsky.social.

Four shifts in local govt leadership:

1 Community as well as organisation
2 Mobilisation as well as management
3 Compassion as well as decisiveness
4 Resilience as well as efficiency

www.newlocal.org.uk/publications...