Enhancing Local government service delivery
Course Summary:

Local government service delivery has transformed significantly over recent decades. Councils have moved from a narrower emphasis on services to property towards broader objectives to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of the communities of which they are part. Community expectations of local government have increased, for example that they should provide sporting, cultural and community care facilities. Other levels of government have devolved various functions to local governments, and subjected other of their functions to increased legislative requirements, especially as regards asset management and strategic planning.

The overall effect is that councils must provide a greater range of services while endeavouring to meet higher standards. At the same time, the costs of providing services and maintaining infrastructure have increased considerably faster than increases in generated income. Financial pressures placed on councils have contributed to the increasing complexity of local government service provision.

The short course has been designed to help local government practitioners meet these challenges, through building knowledge, enhancing consideration of values, and developing practical skills. After completing the short course, participants will be better able to assist their organisations to improve service outcomes for the communities of their Local Government Area (LGA), as well as developing values, knowledge and skills in the service delivery area or areas in which they have a professional interest.

Course Objectives:

  • The short course draws upon recent research undertaken for Local Government on the processes used by councils in conducting service reviews.
  • It also explores various service delivery models, including shared services, commercial and community enterprises, arm’s length entities, and public-private partnerships

Course Outline

Why focus on local government service delivery

  • An exploration of services and service delivery begins with having a better understanding of local government itself, and its importance as a sector. The focus is on the search for improved outcomes for communities

What is local government service delivery?

  • Participants consider the diversity evident among jurisdictions in terms of services provided, including the importance of local infrastructure and public assets. Consideration is given to questions of effectiveness, efficiency and productivity as key to improved outcomes for communities

Service modes and models

  • All local governments are required to make, and to justify, decisions as to how to deliver a specific service or range of services in order to matech their circumstances.
  • Knowledge and practical engagement with alternative production modes and models of delivery is useful in this dynamic decison-making process

Service delivery challenges

  • Enhancing local government service delivery also requires coming to grips with the challenges faced by local governments, including those arising from the nature of local govenrment assets, reluctance to change production modes and partnership working.

Tools for enhancing service delivery

  • Having laid the principles and knowledge foundations, practical ways are considered to address challenges and improve service delivery for the benefit of communities.
  • Workshops are designed to put into practice a range of tools and models that have been developed in recent years.

Innovations

  • Innovations relating to public management and leadership approaches, service coproduction and integration, and initiatives related to local economic development, community development and building collaborative capacity are workshopped to find better products and services and better ways of producing them.

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