Socitm Policy briefing: ICT, resourcing and transformation - doing more, better, with less

Produced by: Socitm

Type: Briefings

Socitm's latest policy briefing argues that local public service organisations should be looking at new and radical ways of managing and resourcing transformation and ICT

The paper says that local authorities and other local public service providers that invest now in developing radically different approaches to the way they are organised and how they deliver services, will be able to meet citizens' future needs despite increased demand and much reduced budgets.

How they use and resource ICT will be crucial, says the briefing, since ICT is the enabler of ways of working that could dramatically reduce the cost of local public service provision. While this potential has been recognised for some time, the results delivered by 'transformational government' activity and spending to date have been disappointing, something the Government's recent Operational Efficiency Programme report equally fails to address.

What is now required, says Socitm, is that past failures should be used to inform different approaches to the leadership, development and implementation of transformation.

The paper advocates a series of changes in approach and sets out a series actions to be taken by those in charge of ICT and transformation resources. These are grouped under the headings:

• Do more, better, with less
• Work more closely with citizens
• Work together with other organisations
• Maximise the value from existing assets and systems
• Govern and manage the transformational change programme.

The briefing also covers how Socitm is supporting managers in local public services in tackling these challenges.

Last modified: 23rd November 2009