NEWS
Updated Menu of Local Outcome Indicators published
Revised menu focuses on the most robust and relevant indicators for local government.
HR award triumph for Customer Service Professional qualifications
IS and Renfrewshire Council accept the HR Network National Award for 'Strategic People Development Project of the Year'
Helping councils cut procurement costs
A consultancy framework designed to help councils cut the time and money spent on procurement of services has been developed by the Improvement Service.
Arbuthnott review calls for closer working between councils and NHS
Sir John Arbuthnott has recommended closer working between Scottish councils and health boards as part of his review of shared services across the Clyde Valley.
South-east councils to explore closer joint working
The Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and Fife Forum has identified five areas for potential shared services.
Moray becomes 17th council to adopt Lagan ECM
Lagan is now in over half of Scottish councils, with Moray the first to include the corporate mobile working solution.
Integrating the Citizen Account with CRM
A proof of concept exercise to ensure that local CRM applications can integrate with the Citizen Account System (CAS) is being carried out by Lagan and East Dunbartonshire Council.
Elected member caseload management portal update
Lagan is developing a prototype system with initial testing due to start in mid-December.
esd-toolkit model shines spotlight on costs
Three Scottish councils are testing the Cost Architecture Model to help them better understand their cost base.
Glasgow leader named Councillor of the Year
Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, has been named Councillor of the Year at The Herald newspaper's Scottish Politician of the Year Awards.
Learning partnership scoops Society Award
The innovative partnership between Aberdeen College and Grampian Fire and Rescue Service won the Improvement Service-sponsored Collaboration Award at this year's Herald Society Awards.
Finalists announced for Customer Service Professional Candidate of the Year award
Four shortlisted for the Customer Service Professional 2009 Candidate of the Year Award.
EVENTS
Masterclass Series for Elected Members - December 2009-June 2010, venues across Scotland
The IS is holding a second series of Masterclasses for Scottish councillors to engage with them on current issues relevant to local government. The series will explore key issues and challenges in-depth, including: the strategic challenges facing local government; performance and scrutiny; improving the use of assets and resources; delivering outcomes; improving personal media management skills; making better use of information in decision-making; improving personal leadership skills; and improving board level skills.
Complaint handling, excellence in public services and the value of consumers - 4 December 2009, Edinburgh
Complaints are crucial drivers for change. How we treat those who complain, how we deal with their complaint and how we change what we do as a result, is essential to reshaping services that people want and value. This conference will hear the newly appointed Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Jim Martin outline the changing strategic priorities of the SPSO and the implications for service providers and complainants; discuss the future of public services and their relationship with consumers and regulators; share examples of best practice in complaints handling; and underline the importance of valuing and resourcing complaint handling as much as the development and delivery of the service or product being supplied.
LATEST PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES ON THE IS SITE
Single Outcome Agreements: 2009 Case Studies (Scottish Councils)
These 55 case studies from across Scotland demonstrate the difference that the outcomes focus and SOA approach is making at a local level. Case studies range from employability initiatives to health improvement, safer communities to sustainable development.
Changing professional practice and culture to get it right for every child (Scottish Government)
Evaluation of the development and early implementation phases of the Highland Pathfinder of Getting it Right for Every Child.
Use of resources in adult social care: a guide for local authorities (Department of Health)
This Department of Health guide aims to stimulate discussion and debate for local authorities on how to commission and shape services by making best use of resources.
Lofty Ambitions: the role of councils in reducing domestic CO2 emissions (Audit Commission)
This report considers what councils can do to reduce domestic CO2 emissions in their areas. It provides practical examples of how some councils are tackling emissions and provides suggestions on how councils could achieve more and secure greater value for money.
10 questions to ask if you are scrutinising the transformation of adult social care (Centre for Public Scrutiny/IDeA)
This guide identifies key elements in the transformation programme currently taking place within adult social care that will allow scrutiny committees to assess the extent to which their local authority is planning, commissioning and delivering better social care.
ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENT SERVICE
The Improvement Service supports councils and their partners to improve the health, quality of life and opportunities of all people in Scotland through community leadership, strong local governance and high quality, efficient local public services.
WANT TO APPEAR IN THIS NEWSLETTER?
We are always looking for examples of good practice and innovation from Scottish councils and their partners. If you would like to see your work highlighted by the Improvement Service, get in touch at listen@improvementservice.org.uk
