News analysis – Brown scores points for going deeper into devolution (PF 27/7/07)

Discussion of proposals for new powers for local authorities to take control of economic development and regeneration. RDAs to create regional strategies, but accountable to local authorities.

Creating regional strategy through several LAs and an RDA is obviously going to introduce lots of organisational politics and co-production.

Work in progress, by Mark Conrad (PF 17/8/07)

Discussion of new green paper on getting the long term unemployed into work. Government’s use of reports like this is an indication of the use of strategic planning systems – there is a heavy reliance on data and statistics to support conclusions. Equally, the article shows a lot of stakeholders with concerns: inside the government, charities, thinktanks, civil servants and trade unions

Nothing ventured… by Paul Gosling (PF 7/9/07)

Discussion of role of private equity in public sector.

Liberata – CE discusses that the longer investment horizon of PE investors, compared to stock market investors, helps long term strategy – private sector is not immune to organisational politics and incrementalism seen in public sector.

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council – launched Transform Sandwell 15 year project. This displays considerable freedom to develop own strategy for delivering services.

Putting the trains back on the rails, by Geoff Pope (PF 7/9/07)

Article showing indications of all three lenses:

Design – based on report findings and figures.

Experience – Committee engaging in organisational politics to push its agenda

Ideas – Proposal for a supplementary business rate to fund transport projects.