ESSU Reports and Briefings

Latest Reports

Democratic Governance and the Future of City Regions

The five-part Discussion Paper begins with a new mapping of public sector bodies and organisations based on a privatisation of governance typology. The next chapter discusses New Labour’s modernisation and the neoliberal agenda. Chapter three examines the effect of different elements of the government’s public sector transformation strategy on democratic governance such as the changing the role of the state; personalisation and choice; commissioning and contracting; regional and local economic and regeneration strategies; the growth of services markets; new models of governance and public management and empowerment and participation. The Paper explains the City Region concept, the future of the state and urban governance and democratic accountability and the governance of City Regions. (48 pages)

2008-12-03 09:42:32

Public Private Partnerships: Confidential ‘Research’, A Critique of the Audit Commission’s study of Strategic Service-delivery Partnerships by Dexter Whitfield

A highly critical assessment of the Audit Commission’s recent report, For Better, For Worse, on Strategic Service-delivery Partnerships. It finds ten fundamental flaws ranging from inadequate methodology, no evidence base, employment issues ignored, no audit of private sector investment and no comparison of an alternative in-house approach. The Commission’s claim that the information on which its findings are based is “commercially confidential” makes a mockery of transparency, performance management, democratic accountability and community engagement. The second section of the report uses quotes from the Audit Commission report to highlight the shortcomings in more detail.

2008-01-30 09:49:58

Shared Services Strategic Framework

A strategic approach to developing shared services projects based on a progressive approach, principles for shared services, a public sector shared services strategy, democratic governance and accountability, an evidence-based methodology, quality jobs and comprehensive appraisal criteria and impact assessment. (May 2007)

2007-05-27 15:22:18

Employment Risk Matrix

A revised version of the Risk Matrix which assesses the risks of secondment, transfer and choices employment options in outsourcing and privatisation situations (November 2006).

2006-11-28 17:20:10

The Case for a Positive Public Duty on Age Equality

This report examines the operation and impact of existing public duties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the UK Duty on Race, specifically in light of the desirability or otherwise of a Public Duty for Age Equality either as part of a Single Equalities Act or a separate piece of legislation. It also seeks to develop an understanding of the lessons for drawing up such a Duty in light of the experience of existing Duties.

2006-04-09 17:52:01

Modernising Social Services

Report into the implementation of modernisation of social services, with evidence drawn from a major survey of social workers in a large case study authority.

2004-10-14 11:15:04

The Case for the 4th Option for Council Housing

The Case for the 4th Option for Council Housing and A Critique of Arms Length Management Organisations. A report from the Centre for Public Services

2004-05-05 13:50:14

The Investigator's Handbook

The Investigator's Handbook is a comprehensive 140 page guide to investigating companies, organisations, government and individuals. Includes investigation by sectors health and social care, education, housing, regeneration, public transport, utilities and international organisations plus sections on rights to information and searching the web. An invaluable guide for investigating: Company performance; Developers and contractors; Government organisations and quangos; PFI and partnership projects; Investigate performance of public bodies.

2004-03-22 21:24:50

Mortgaging Our Children's Future

The Privatisation, Marketisation and Commercialisation of Secondary Education

2004-03-22 12:54:44