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European Services Strategy Unit

The European Services Strategy Unit (continuing the work of the Centre for Public Services) is an independent organisation, founded in 1973. It is committed to social justice through the provision of good quality public services by democratically accountable public bodies implementing best practice management, employment, equal opportunity and sustainable development policies.

ESSU provides detailed research and analysis of regional and city economies and public sector provision, marketisation and privatisation, modernisation and public management, infrastructure and public private partnerships, jobs and employment policies and impact assessment. It provides a range of services to government, public bodies, community groups and trade unions-see our services page.

ESSU produces a range of publications which are free to download from the publications pages.

ESSU has an Outsourcing and PPP Library on this website where you can access and download analysis and information on the consequences of outsourcing public services, Public Private Partnerships, Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Strategic Service-delivery Partnerships (SSPs).

Public Sector Research ONLINE provides detailed guidance on how to research and investigate public policy, public services, the economy, government, companies, consultants, trusts, organisations and individuals.

Latest News and Events

2009
News and Events from the Centre for Public Services from 2009.
2009-01-03 18:25:42
Shaping the future on failed policies
A featured article in *eGov Monitor* which argues that Barnet Council's 'strategic council' proposals are rooted in the same policies and ideology that led to the current financial crisis. "We do not need to reinvent local government but reinstate public sector principles, rethink organisational structures, service delivery and adopt progressive strategies using evidence, transparent language, honesty and the genuine involvement of staff, service users and residents."
2008-12-16 09:27:53
Economic Impact of Prisons in Rural Areas: A Review of the Issues, Dexter Whitfield
The South Australian State Government is proposing five PPPs for the future development of the State’s correctional facilities by moving men’s and women’s prisons, a youth training centre and a pre-release centre to Murray Bridge. The Public Service Association commissioned the Australian Institute for Social Research (AISR), University of Adelaide, to identify the indirect and/or hidden social/economic costs associated with the relocations. The European Services Strategy Unit literature review focuses on the economic, social and employment impact of locating prisons in rural areas, drawing particularly on US evidence. In October 2008 the South Australian State Government announced that funding for the new prisons will delayed until 2013-14 because of the current economic climate. A preliminary analysis of direct and indirect costs associated with the relocation of prison facilities to the Murray Bridge district by AISR is available at www.cpsu.asn.au/~sa/webnews/Final_Report_30_10_08.pdf
2008-12-08 10:12:17
Future Shape of the Council: The Flaws in Barnet’s Commissioning and Procurement Policy
A review of the London Borough of Barnet Council’s commissioning and procurement policies. The Future Shape of the Council project is likely to consider large-scale outsourcing/privatisation to ‘shrink the council’, yet there are serious failings and shortcomings in procurement which make its policies and practice ‘not fit for purpose’. This could expose the Council to serious financial and service risks. The report is published by UNISON, GMB, NUT and NASUWT and makes a series of recommendations on commissioning and procurement, employment options and contract management and monitoring.
2008-12-04 11:12:38
Failure to Assess Options for Future Shape of the Council
A critique of the London Borough of Barnet proposals to radically change the responsibilities, role and functions of the Council for UNISON, GMB, NUT and NASUWT. It shows how the Council has failed to undertake options appraisal of proposals to create a Joint Venture Company and service delivery vehicles for all public services in the borough. It would create a new contract bureaucracy which would undermine the council’s successful city suburb plans; threaten jobs, terms and conditions and pensions; and is based on a flawed approach to achieve value for money. Download report. See series of six Briefings on the Future Shape programme.
2008-12-01 12:03:38
Updated PPP Database
The PPP Database has been updated to include the South Tyneside MBC contract with BT which commenced on 1 October 2008. This has resulted in changes to the regional, employment and market share tables.
2008-10-03 09:09:29
Future Shape of the Council: London Borough of Barnet
The London Borough of Barnet commenced the Future Shape of the Council project in May 2008 to review the organisation of the Council, challenges and changing demands on the capacity of the Council. The European Services Strategy Unit (ESSU) has been commissioned by Barnet UNISON to provide research and critical analysis for the Branch in the consultation process. The work will include a series of Briefings which can be downloaded here. The first six are: Assessment of Strategic Hub Proposals, Public Service Principles and Values, Employment Charter, Scope of Contract Reviews, Service Transformation and The 'Shrinking by Outsourcing Models: Implications for Staff.
2008-09-09 11:03:05
PPP Briefing: Strategic Service-delivery Partnerships and Outsourced Shared Services Projects
This 20-page Briefing, commissioned by Northumberland, Durham and Northamptonshire UNISON branches, is a summary for elected members, staff and service users of the current evidence against SSPs and outsourcing of shared services projects. It covers finance, savings and investment; accountability and transparency of JVCs; performance; risks levels; employment and job creation; and in-house capability to transform services.
2008-07-23 12:34:31

See our news and events section for more.

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This document was last modified by Dexter Whitfield on 2008-03-28 13:49:41.
European Services Strategy Unit, Duagh, Camp, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.
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