Research and Policy Development

In depth research and new policy development sits at the heart of NLGN as it seeks to promote devolution and innovative service transformation at the local level. With expertise across a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research team conducts analysis into the full spectrum of local public policy areas, democracy and governance and management and performance.

Grounded in input from its networks, local authorities, Whitehall, all major political parties and public and third sector partners, NLGN research seeks to understand challenges facing local policy makers and develop solutions through innovative research techniques.

NLGN has a successful history of working with partners on a wide range of research projects, including local authorities, and private and third sector organisations.

Our research is designed and carried out so as to make a direct contribution to enhancing local public services and to encourage thriving, accountable and influential local democratic institutions. In recent years, NLGN has led thinking and influenced a range of emerging policy proposals including public service reform, sub-regional working, community well-being and financing arrangements.


Councils and illegal sub-letting

There are an estimated 50,000 illegally sublet social or council houses in the UK, costing an estimated £75,000 per property over a three year period. In this paper we look at the Government’s crack-down on illegal subletting of council properties and ask whether more could be done to help local authorities tackle this problem. This research will look for examples of best practice and highlight the main difficulties local authorities face in recovering illegally sublet properties. Recommendations will be made to help councils over-come these difficulties.

For further information contact Tom Symons.

Strategic planning: local, regional or national?

Significant changes to how major infrastructure is planned and approved have been introduced through the Planning Act 2008. AT the same time, the Conservative Party has suggested that if they won the election they would abolish the new Infrastructure Planning Commission. This paper analyses the options open to allow an accountable, strategic and prompt decisions on major infrastructure to be made.

For further information contact Nigel Keohane.

The Future of Assessment Beyond 2010
Kindly supported by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands, Standards for England and South West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership


How we assess and evaluate public services impacts explicitly on the services citizens receive. While standards have undoubtedly risen over the last decade, inappropriate targets have distracted policy makers from the needs of users while centralised management has rewarded compliance rather than innovation. The emerging agendas of localism, personalisation and greater citizen-focus are now dismantling and undermining this outdated and centralised approach. There is recognition from all quarters that methods for local flexibility and discretion must be included in any reformed system. Click for more details.
Realising Total Place: Moving from theory into practice
Kindly supported by Capgemini, Grant Thornton, Leadership Centre for local government and London Councils
Capgemini_logo Leadership-Centre london_councils


There is much speculation about the potential savings achievable if the intentions of the ‘Total Place’ programme are viable. The concept is a strong one: rather than see individual agencies or local authorities structure their expenditure in silos, a strategic approach to the deployment of total local spending could yield big savings. Yet despite the ongoing pilots, there remains a major gap between theory and practice. The key question is no longer what could be achieved but how it can be achieved. Through an extensive research project NLGN intends to explore the operational, tactical and strategic options available for front-footed local authorities should they endeavour to implement a Total Place approach in their area. Learning lessons from across the globe where local public services have been revolutionised by collective commissioning arrangements, NLGN intends to set out the steps necessary for the delivery of truly integrated place-based decision-making. Click for more details.

Park and Green Space Service Organisation and Structure

NLGN has been commissioned by CABE Space to carry out research into parks and green spaces. The work will investigate whether organisation and structure have an impact on performance and delivery. The research will build on exisiting work and seek to develop a full understanding of the context of green space services in councils and housing associations. It will define the wider benefits that can be achieved and the challenges facing the sector before analysing the impact that management structures and approaches have on green space service outcomes. This research is drawing on a wide range of expertise and experience across local government and social landlords.

If you are interested in participating in this research or for further information contact Tom Symons.

Scanning Financial Horizons: Modelling the consequences of fiscal consolidation for local delivery
Kindly supported by Vertex.
Vertex
The recession has had a number of immediate consequences, but the delayed ramifications for public expenditure are likely to be felt severely once the current Spending Review period ends. Even on published projections, spending levels beyond health, education and international development are likely to fall significantly. Having enjoyed a decade where public spending rose from 36% of GDP to 43%, the banking crisis and consequent recession are placing significant strains on the public purse. With tax increases unlikely, public spending for the next two Spending Review periods will be seriously constrained. But what will be the real world consequences of this spending constraint for local services? Is it realistic for “efficiencies” to absorb all the savings required? If some services are to be cut, which are most and least likely to fall under the knife? Will social services, or leisure and recreation services, or environmental services take the brunt of reductions?
Click for more details.