Provides an overview of the government’s regeneration policy framework and development strategies, focusing on the increasing role of the private sector. It discusses the implications of a market-driven planning system and mixed communities and sets out an agenda for community strategies (Commissioned by the West End Community Development Consortium, Newcastle, 2006, revised edition March 2008).

The final report of a three-year scrutiny of regional performance for the North West Regional Review, published by the North West Regional Assembly. The report examines progress in eleven targets – sustainable economic performance, investment, employment, skills, productivity, innovation, enterprise, urban, rural, regeneration and physical development. It examines progress towards social justice in the North…

ESSU was commissioned by UNISON Northern to prepare a detailed report on a PPD/KPMG proposal to outsource and offshore prescription processing. This comprehensive report examines value for money, risk assessment, insourcing trends, public cost analysis and other issues. A decision to outsource was expected in November 2006 but has been postponed indefinetly following intervention by…

In June 2006 North Tyneside Council published an edited version of a Business Transformation Plan prepared by management consultants KPMG in conjunction with Council officers. Local government trade unions in North Tyneside (including teacher unions) commissioned this report from the European Services Strategy Unit to assess the Council’s transformation plan and to provide an evidence…

New Commissioning and Procurement Toolkit for UNISON Northern (April 2008). It is divided into 11 parts covering: The Political Economy of Commissioning and Procurement, Developing a Branch strategy, Reviewing Services, Efficiency reviews, Shared Services Projects, Options Appraisal, The case for in-house provision, Capital works and BSF/PFI/PPP projects, Procurement and commissioning process, Protecting jobs, terms and…

Building Schools for the Future is the government’s initiative for renewing secondary schools using the private sector to deliver design, construction, management and operation of schools. This report provides comprehensive advice to local authorities, trade unions and community groups on how to exclude support services from Building Schools for the Future and Private Finance Initiative…

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…

The Social, Economic and Environmental Audit provided detailed evidence of the potential impact of a Strategic Service-delivery Partnership on the community, local economy, labour market and sub-regional economy. It included a detailed analysis of the residential location of staff and the impact of employment change. The report included an assessment of the proposals on community…

A revised version of the Risk Matrix assesses the risks of secondment, TUPE and TUPE Plus transfers when assessing employment impacts in outsourcing and privatisation options (March 2010).

A critical commentary on the main proposals in, and potential consequences of, the Foundation Development Plan. In addition, it provides an overview of the government’s markestisation strategy for the NHS which will impose new financial and operational difficulties, risks and costs for the Good Hope Hospital. Commissioned by Patient and Public Involvement Forum, East Birmingham…