Project Tackling Inequalities Poverty Stigma Insight Network The Poverty Stigma Insight Network was established by WCPP in 2024 as is a UK-wide network of individuals and organisations who have the shared aim of seeking to better understand, prevent and address poverty stigma. Members include lived experience experts, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and academics. The Network is one strand of WCPP’s broader programme […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 10, 2025
Report Building a Welsh probation service Following the recommendations of the Thomas Commission, the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, and the Labour Party Commission on the UK’s Future, the Welsh Government is pursuing the devolution of justice to Wales and believes there is a realistic prospect that some aspects may be devolved soon. As such, they are preparing […] Read more Topics: Local government November 26, 2024
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Working together to tackle poverty stigma in Wales – five key insights Over the last 12 months, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been exploring what poverty stigma is, where it comes from, why it matters, what works to address it and, what we at WCPP can do to enable decision makers to access evidence that informs their actions to prevent and address poverty stigma, […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion September 10, 2024
Report Tackling Inequalities Lifting the lid on poverty stigma in Wales The first major survey into the scale of poverty stigma in Wales has found that 25% of the Welsh population have experienced poverty stigma ‘always’, ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ in the last year. The Wales Centre for Public Policy commissioned the Bevan Foundation to carry out the survey as part of WCPP’s work to support the […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion August 13, 2024
News Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration to improve community wellbeing - explained The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has published the findings from its groundbreaking research in conjunction with the Resourceful Communities Partnership, on collaboration to improve community wellbeing. It is hoped the reports, and a practical ‘Framework for Action’ will support and improve vital collaboration between public services and community organisations in Wales. WCPP Senior […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 5, 2024
Report Environment and Net Zero A local authority-led transition to net zero The Welsh Government has an ambition of a net zero public sector by 2030. However, the current budgetary pressures in the Welsh public sector, and for local authorities in particular, will make realising this ambition particularly challenging. In order to support the 2030 ambition, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is coordinating a climate change […] Read more Topics: Local government Net Zero July 23, 2024
Report Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration to improve community wellbeing The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP) have been working together on research to better understand the role of multisector collaboration in improving community action and wellbeing. The project had two phases: Phase one entailed a review of evidence drawing on practice-based case studies, UK-based grey literature, and academic […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government July 19, 2024
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero The Cardiff Capital Region, Cars and Transit Oriented Development The problem Our planning and development eco-system has resulted in us building ‘all the wrong stuff in all the wrong places’ for over 50 years. Homes, hospitals, shops, offices, cinemas, leisure centres, etc are all designed and located around car access. This car based eco-system now means that many new houses are located in places […] Read more Topics: Local government Net Zero June 10, 2024
Blog Post Research and Impact What has devolution delivered for Wales? The day after marking its 25th birthday, the Welsh Senedd voted to increase its size by more than 50%. In 2026 the Welsh public will therefore elect 96 members in place of the current 60. Advocates of this change hailed it as a historic investment in democracy which reflected the significant strengthening of the Senedd’s […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Impact May 24, 2024
Report Embedding social value in procurement There is increasing expectation for public procurement to deliver positive outcomes for society and the communities which public bodies serve. This emphasis on social value is not a new concept, and there are international examples of how public procurement can deliver positive social, economic and environmental impacts. Delivering social value through procurement is especially important […] Read more Topics: Local government May 22, 2024
Blog Post Community Wellbeing How healthy is democracy in Wales and how can we best measure it? With ‘democratic backsliding’ a concern in national and international politics, along with an eroding trust in government, this blog by Greg Notman and Professor James Downe builds on a recent WCPP report which highlights the need to think about more than just elections when assessing the democratic health of our democracy, and looks at successes […] Read more Topics: Local government May 6, 2024
Project Tackling Inequalities Diversity in Recruitment The Welsh Government has asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to support its work on increasing the proportion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and disabled people who are appointed, in order to correct a current under-representation in the Welsh Government workforce. In particular, the Welsh Government is interested in the following areas […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government January 16, 2024
News Environment and Net Zero Partnership with WLGA to help public sector reach net zero The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) have joined forces to support the public sector transition to net zero. Net zero is a top priority for both organisations and the WLGA has asked us to review the policies and practices that local authorities in other small countries and devolved […] Read more Topics: Local government Net Zero December 7, 2023
Project Environment and Net Zero A local authority-led transition to net zero The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is coordinating a climate change transition and recovery support programme to meet the overall target for the public sector to reach net zero by 2030 and the interim targets outlined in the Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2 (2021-25). Local government has a crucial role to play in leading […] Read more Topics: Energy Local government Net Zero December 7, 2023
Report Research and Impact Is your policy going to fail? Here’s how you can tell and what you can do about it Policies often fail to achieve their intentions. While much has been written about this, and how to avoid it, knowledge and insight is somewhat siloed. In collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, we undertook a review to understand the latest thinking on the policy-implementation gap and identify how insights from implementation science can […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches November 13, 2023
Project Tackling Inequalities Poverty Stigma Our recent research on the lived experience of poverty and social exclusion in Wales highlighted the importance of tackling poverty stigma – both because poverty stigma harms the mental health of people in poverty, and because it can make it harder for them to get the support they need or participate in their communities. In response […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion October 20, 2023
News Community Wellbeing Building the foundations of a healthier democracy in Wales A new Wales Centre for Public Policy report recommends ways to improve the measurement of democratic health in Wales. The research, commissioned by the Counsel General, goes beyond examining levels of electoral registration and turnout. It sets out to answer three questions to support efforts to expand participation in the democratic process, especially among under-represented […] Read more Topics: Local government October 18, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing Defining, Measuring and Monitoring Democratic Health in Wales In Wales, concerns over the health of democracy have long focused on low voter turnout in elections and a lack of political awareness and understanding among the population. However, the issue of democratic health goes wider than this. Are citizens engaged in political issues? Do they have the sources of education and information to allow […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government October 18, 2023
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities How can councils support their communities through the cost-of-living crisis? Five key takeaways from the Welsh Local Government Association Annual Conference The cost-of-living crisis is a major challenge for our communities and is hitting the poorest in society particularly hard. The need for help with basics such as food, fuel and clothing has never been higher. We know that this is rightly a high priority […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion October 10, 2023
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Investment in councils, investment in communities I was invited to speak to the WLGA conference about “investment in councils, investment in communities”, and what follows is a very slightly abridged version of my comments on that topic; outlining how evidence can support councils in navigating the challenging situation they face. The multiple challenges facing councils The theme of this session is […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government October 9, 2023
Project Community Wellbeing The role of multisectoral collaboration in supporting community action The Wales Centre for Public Policy and the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP) are working together on a research project aimed at better understanding the role of multisectoral collaboration in supporting community action that enhances wellbeing. The project involves two phases: 1) A review of evidence published since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic on the […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government September 25, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing Blending online and face-to-face provision in community wellbeing services Following often rapid shifts ‘online’ during the coronavirus lockdowns and subsequent returns to in-person activity, community-based wellbeing services across Wales are facing the challenge of how to ‘blend’ digital and face-to-face provision beyond the pandemic. Our research, delivered in collaboration with Frame CIC, aimed to find out more from organisations and practitioners about this, to […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness September 22, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing Multi-agency working in Cwm Taf Morgannwg It has long been recognised that for the most vulnerable children, those at risk of going into care, the services that offer support must be provided in a coordinated and ‘joined-up’ way. This is both because of overlapping problems and needs, with the most frequently cited being the ‘trigger trio’ of substance misuse, domestic abuse, […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion August 12, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing Loneliness Inequalities Evidence Review Research evidence shows overwhelmingly that loneliness affects some groups in society more than others and is particularly acute for those who face multiple forms of disadvantage. This suggests that loneliness may be unevenly distributed in society in ways that reflect and interact with broader structural inequalities. Yet the dominant approaches to loneliness in research, policy […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Loneliness August 9, 2023
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities It's time to talk about loneliness inequalities In this blog, Josh Coles-Riley explains why the Wales Centre for Public Policy has commissioned a major new review of research on loneliness inequalities – and why WCPP is now planning an event to bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and lived experience experts to explore what policy and practice changes are needed to tackle these. […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Loneliness June 16, 2023
News Community Wellbeing Loneliness, older adults and technology During #LonelinessWeek, Wales Centre for Public Policy will issue a series of publications covering different aspects of research around this important topic. Loneliness is a ‘feeling experienced when there is a gap between desired and actual social contact’ (Age Cymru 2021) Loneliness is distinct from social isolation, which refers to a lack in the quantity […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness June 12, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing Older adults and the pandemic: tackling loneliness through technology Loneliness and social isolation have significant impacts on older people’s health and wellbeing. This has been a priority issue for the Welsh Government since before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, social distancing measures increased the risk of loneliness and social isolation and accelerated the use of technology to facilitate social contact and connection. WCPP […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Loneliness June 12, 2023
Report Community Wellbeing What can Public Service Boards do to improve well-being from a community perspective? Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce local well-being plans every five years, on the basis of an assessment of well-being needs in their local areas, setting out well-being objectives and proposed steps to meet them. Following from our previous work in 2021 providing briefings […] Read more Topics: Local government February 23, 2023
Project Community Wellbeing Well-being plan workshops for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce local well-being plans every five years, on the basis of an assessment of well-being needs in their local areas, setting out well-being objectives and proposed steps to meet them. Following from our previous work in 2021 providing briefings […] Read more Topics: Local government February 23, 2023
Project Community Wellbeing Defining, measuring, and monitoring democratic health in Wales ‘Democracy’ is seen as an ideal system of government, because it confers power and legitimacy to political actors and institutions only to the extent that it represents the ‘will of the people’. To those that seek to govern, they must be able to show that the have the support of those who are to be […] Read more Topics: Local government November 25, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The state of democracy in Wales: What is it and how can we measure it? Concerns over democratic health are a global phenomenon, often triggered by crises or events that result in public pressure for reform. Iceland’s near-economic destruction after the Global Financial Crisis, for instance, instigated wide-ranging reforms to their democratic system. In Wales (and the wider UK) discussions around the health of our democracy have traditionally focussed narrowly […] Read more Topics: Local government November 17, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing What does 'blended' digital and face-to-face provision mean for access to services during the cost-of-living crisis? The cost-of-living crisis is making access to community-based wellbeing services ever more important for an increasing number of people. These services – from advice, advocacy and support services to leisure and cultural organisations – are critical in supporting our immediate and long-term wellbeing. As highlighted during the pandemic, they save lives in times of crisis. […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion November 8, 2022
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Are the Welsh Government’s plans for the Welsh NHS Executive a missed opportunity? With so much of the focus on the NHS being given to waiting times, it was easy to miss the Welsh Government’s update on the NHS Executive for Wales. This may seem like a bureaucratic distraction from more important issues, but establishing an NHS Executive has long been seen as an essential reform to the […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government October 12, 2022
Report Tackling Inequalities International review of effective anti-poverty policies and programmes As part of the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s (WCPP) review of poverty and social exclusion, the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) at the LSE was commissioned to conduct a review of the international evidence on promising policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and social exclusion across twelve key policy areas. The […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Blog Post Research and Impact Has devolution delivered? The last 25 years have seen a significant and sustained increase in public support for devolution in Wales. The 1997 referendum produced only a wafer thin majority in favour of creating a Welsh Assembly. Now fewer than 1 in 5 of the adult population say that they would vote to reverse that decision, whilst a […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Impact September 23, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing ‘Blending’ online and offline provision in community wellbeing services: what does it mean and why does it matter? Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, public and third sector organisations supporting community wellbeing have relied on a mixture of remote and face-to-face methods for delivering services and engaging with the people they support. These have been delivered in different combinations at different times, in response to a rapidly shifting landscape of restrictions on physical contact and […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 30, 2022
Report Community Wellbeing Research and Impact What is the role of evidence in shaping suicide prevention policy in Wales? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.¹ Across the globe, 800,000 people die by suicide every year, translating to approximately one suicide death every 40 seconds (WHO, 2021). When considering the number of bereaved family, friends, and communities behind every single one of these deaths, the impact of suicide on our world […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns July 8, 2022
Report Environment and Net Zero What Works Network Implementation Project Building on our work to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, the Wales Centre for Public Policy won funding from the ESRC to work with Professor Jonathan Sharples at EEF and other What Works Centres to apply the latest thinking and evidence on implementation – how evidence is used in decision […] Read more Topics: Local government April 10, 2022
Report Reform of electoral law and practice Elections were devolved to Wales through the Government of Wales Act 2017. Since then, Welsh Ministers have embarked on a programme of electoral reform most noted by the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens for Senedd and local government elections. The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act also […] Read more Topics: Local government March 25, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: continuing the conversation ‘Levelling Up’ - used here to refer to the wider UK Government policy agenda rather than the specific Levelling Up funding stream - is predominantly about tackling place-based economic inequality, economic development, and productivity. As set out in our previous WCPP blog, this is a conversation that is critical for Wales. Whilst ‘Levelling Up’ seeks […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 14, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: a critical conversation for Wales What does ‘levelling up’ mean in practice for Wales? While debate around the definition continues, the long awaited White Paper has now been published. However, questions remain around how results will be achieved. At the IWA Economy Summit in November Vaughan Gething MS, the Welsh Minister for Economy, commented that levelling up might be framed […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 1, 2022
Report Community Wellbeing Challenges and Priorities for Health and Social Care in Wales The challenges facing health and social care in Wales are complex and multifaceted. Systemic and workforce issues affect the smooth delivery of the health and care service, and specific health challenges faced by the Welsh population place increasing pressure on the system. The Wales Centre for Public Policy, in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care, […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government January 11, 2022
Report Community Wellbeing Stakeholders’ ideas for tackling loneliness in Wales through the pandemic and beyond In July 2021, the Wales Centre for Public Policy worked in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care to run a multifaceted engagement programme involving stakeholders working to tackle loneliness and enhance wellbeing in Wales and beyond. The programme included a two-day digital event (14th and 15th July) and a stakeholder survey. Participants reflected on their […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness October 13, 2021
Report Community Wellbeing Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve […] Read more Topics: Local government September 30, 2021
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Volunteering and wellbeing in the pandemic: Learning from practice We’ve heard a lot about the valuable role of volunteering in supporting communities through the pandemic. But when we looked at the evidence base on how volunteering has supported wellbeing during the crisis, we found it mostly focuses on volunteers’ wellbeing, with much less on those being helped or on community wellbeing. And yet we […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 18, 2021
Report Community Wellbeing Research and Impact Collaboration and policy implementation at the local level in Wales The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will have a considerable impact on the agricultural industry in Wales. Agricultural policy is a devolved matter, for which the Welsh Government is allocated an annual budget by the UK Government; prior to Brexit, this funding was delivered through the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. In 2021-2022, Wales’ […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns June 30, 2021
Project Reform of Electoral Law and Practice Elections were devolved to Wales through the Government of Wales Act 2017. Since then, Welsh Ministers have embarked on a programme of electoral reform most noted by the extension of the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens for Senedd and local government elections. The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act also provided […] Read more Topics: Local government June 21, 2021
Report Community Wellbeing Improving evidence use in local government Fostering links between academia and local government has long been a concern for those interested in promoting evidence-informed practice. While the barriers and enablers of evidence use are well known (Langer et al. 2016) and there is a growing body of literature on local government practitioners and academics as research partners, less is known about […] Read more Topics: Local government June 17, 2021
Project Community Wellbeing Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness June 14, 2021
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Volunteering lessons from the pandemic Amanda Carr, Director of Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS), reflects on how new research into volunteering and wellbeing during the pandemic matches up with her own experiences. I wanted to start by taking the opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Volunteers’ Week and to say a huge thank you to all those volunteers […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government June 7, 2021
Report Community Wellbeing Volunteering and wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic Volunteering has played a crucial role in supporting communities during the pandemic. Interest in volunteering saw a dramatic spike early in the pandemic, and volunteers have helped meet people’s emotional and physical needs during the crisis. There is widespread interest from policymakers and practitioners in maintaining this activity to contribute to a wellbeing-led recovery in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government June 7, 2021
Report Community Wellbeing The role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the pandemic This report presents findings from WCPP research on the role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the Coronavirus pandemic. Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. Lockdowns and social distancing policies introduced in response to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government May 26, 2021
Project Community Wellbeing Connecting Communities: Building Relationships The Wales Centre for Public Policy is partnering with Cardiff Council and Social Care Wales on a four-month National Institute for Health Research funded project to increase links between the council, public health, and academia. The project will explore the mechanisms, relationships and networks needed to support and fund high quality research engagement in Cardiff. […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness December 3, 2020
Report Community Wellbeing Building back better? Priorities for Reconstruction after the Coronavirus Pandemic With effective vaccines for COVID-19 now a reality, thoughts are turning to the best ways to recover from the longer-term economic and societal shocks caused by the pandemic. We will be living with the fallout from the pandemic for some time, with major implications for our economy, education system, health and social care, and public […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government Loneliness November 23, 2020
Project Tackling Inequalities Increasing diversity in public appointments In early 2020 the Welsh Government released ‘Reflecting Wales in Running Wales’ (Welsh Government, 2020), its strategy for increasing diversity in public appointments in Wales. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to support the implementation of the strategy through two projects: A rapid evidence review of recruitment practices […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government November 10, 2020
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Why diversity in public appointments matters Owing to the lack of diversity in board membership, many boards in Wales do not reflect the communities they serve, with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates being currently underrepresented. The Wales Centre for Public Policy recently published two reports on improving recruitment practices in public appointments and how underrepresented groups could […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government November 10, 2020
Report Tackling Inequalities Increasing diversity in public appointments through recruitment This report has been prepared to support the Welsh Government’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for public appointments, with a focus on how recruitment strategies can be more inclusive. It addresses how ethnic minority and disabled candidates can be better supported to apply and be successful in public appointments. Increasing diversity in public appointments is important […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government November 10, 2020
Project Community Wellbeing Optimising Outcomes from Procurement and Partnering for Covid-19 and Beyond: Lessons from the Crisis Procurement accounts for £100bn (47%) of local authority (LA) spending (IoG,2018). Leveraging these resources to the greatest social and economic effect is now crucial in promoting an agile crisis response, maintaining community resilience and helping local businesses stay afloat. Emergent literatures indicate that innovation to leverage procurement for additional positive-sum value is both necessary and […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government November 6, 2020
Report Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Our Future Wales consultation: Analysis of responses In May 2020, the Welsh Government invited the public to send their thoughts on the actions needed to support post-COVID-19 recovery and reconstruction. This report focuses on 685 of the 2,021 submissions to the consultation process received by the Welsh Government which we have analysed in detail. It does not include the more than 900 […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Local government Loneliness September 30, 2020
Report Developing leaders in the public sector The First Minister asked us to prepare an independent assessment of how Welsh public services are developing future leaders to be effective and to meet the needs of the people of Wales. A particular focus was whether future leaders had broad experience from across the public sector, as well as the skills and behaviours to […] Read more Topics: Local government September 14, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Devolution and the Coronavirus pandemic in Wales: doing things differently, doing things together? In a Senedd debate in May both First Minister Mark Drakeford and Welsh Brexit Party Leader Mark Reckless found themselves agreeing that the Coronavirus pandemic had raised the profile of devolution more than anything else in the last 20 years. Unsurprisingly, they drew rather different conclusions from this common observation. But it underlines how in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government July 3, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Financial vulnerability in the pandemic: a dilemma for local authorities The Coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a shift in the way in which we, as a society, think about vulnerability. Historically, we have tended towards a moral definition of vulnerability, which gives rise to a set of obligations and duties which have been enshrined in legislation such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act, 2014 […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 24, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The role of Welsh local government in a post-Coronavirus world The role that local government plays in the frontline provision of public services is highlighted and accentuated at times of crisis. Councils across Wales have co-ordinated and delivered a range of actions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including distributing over £500m in grants to businesses and supporting a wide range of vulnerable people and […] Read more Topics: Local government June 12, 2020
Blog Post Research and Impact How might lower-ranking officials have a greater impact on policy development than previously assumed? How can small-territory, subnational governments make the most of their position? Subnational governments like the devolved governments in the UK combine some of the opportunities and limitations of the national and the local governments between which they sit. They have some ‘national government’-type responsibilities and resources, like legislative authority and funding powers, although those resources […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 20, 2020
Project Developing implementation across the What Works network Building on our work to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, the Wales Centre for Public Policy has won funding from the ESRC to work with Professor Jonathan Sharples at EEF and other What Works Centres to apply the latest thinking and evidence on implementation – how evidence is used […] Read more Topics: Local government March 20, 2020
News Tackling Inequalities Devolving social security to Wales could be beneficial but would bring significant challenges Devolving the administration of social security to Wales could bring fiscal benefits and improve outcomes for claimants, but it would be a complex and time-consuming process and carry significant risks. A new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) at Cardiff University brings together evidence about the potential advantages and risks. Drawing on […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 14, 2020
News Tackling Inequalities Gallai datganoli nawdd cymdeithasol i Gymru fod yn fuddiol ond daw hefyd heriau sylweddol yn sgil hyn Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 14, 2020
News Tackling Inequalities Devolving social security to Wales could be beneficial but would bring significant challenges Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 14, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The Preston Model: A panacea for Wales? Procurement is moving up the agenda. In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has advocated reforming procurement and procurement has been suggested as a way to bolster the foundational economy by Deputy Minister Lee Waters. The ‘Preston model’ has frequently been cited as an example of using public procurement for social good. But what is the […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 5, 2019
Project Public sector leadership development – existing provision and international approach The First Minister wants an independent assessment of how Welsh public services can ensure that leadership development for their staff equips current and future leaders to be effective. This is to ensure that future leaders have broad experience from across the public sector, as well as the skills and behaviours to respond to current and […] Read more Topics: Local government November 1, 2019
Project Options for sustainable Welsh fisheries and fishing stocks management post-devolution The Welsh Government are preparing their approach to fisheries for if/when the UK leaves the European Union. They are particularly interested in future opportunities, including both quota and non-quota limits, to achieve their ‘fair share’ of allocation and to manage fish stocks for the benefit of coastal communities in Wales. This also sits in with […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 1, 2019
Report Environment and Net Zero The Value of Trade Unions in Wales Trade unions are an integral part of the Welsh Government’s social partnership model, and more broadly an essential part of the economic and social landscape in Wales and across the world. The Wales TUC commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to consider the evidence on the value of trade unions in Wales, and how […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government October 16, 2019
Report Tackling Inequalities Tackling Inequality through Gender Budgeting Gender budgeting is an approach to public policy making that puts gender analysis at the heart of budget processes, public finance and economic policy, as a means of advancing gender equality. It is a critical review of how budgetary allocations affect the economic and social opportunities of women and men, and it seeks to restructure […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government September 24, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Responding to those in difficulty with council tax debt in Wales: what does the evidence show? This blog draws on a recent Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) report ‘Responding to citizens in debt to public services: A rapid evidence review’ co-authored by Sharon Collard from the University of Bristol with Helen Hodges and Paul Worthington from WCPP. It looks at how local authorities and housing associations in Wales might better […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion July 23, 2019
Blog Post Research and Impact Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times On 24th May 2019, the Wales Centre for Public Policy and the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) organised a conference called ‘Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times’ which brought together 45 academics, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss present and future challenges facing Wales, notably in relation to Brexit […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches July 8, 2019
Report Environment and Net Zero At the Tipping Point: Welsh Local Government and Austerity This report outlines Welsh councils’ responses to austerity, drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders. Councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other stakeholders. There are […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 26, 2019
Blog Post Research and Impact Powers and Policy Levers - What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? As Wales marks twenty years of devolution, our latest report, Powers and Policy Levers: What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? presents the findings of a research project into the way that the Welsh Government has used the powers and policy levers available to it. Having outlined the policy context in Wales over the last […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches May 17, 2019
Report Powers and Policy Levers - What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? This report presents the findings of research on the ways in which Welsh Ministers use the powers and policy levers available to them. We focus on two case studies: the 2014 statutory framework for homelessness services and the first attempt to introduce minimum unit alcohol pricing in Wales. These two contrasting examples show how policy […] Read more Topics: Local government May 17, 2019
Blog Post Research and Impact How can governments improve cross-cutting working? Cross cutting working - making sure that different departments and services work effectively with each other - is a constant challenge for all governments, even when they are as comparatively small as the Welsh Government. Last year, we were commissioned by the First Minister to synthesise the evidence on cross-cutting working, and our latest report, […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 17, 2019
Report Improving Cross-Cutting Working Cross-cutting working is not new to Wales, and it possesses many of the prerequisites for effective cross-government working. Research shows that cross-cutting working isn’t a panacea or quick fix because it runs counter to the way in which government activity is usually organised and therefore requires high level political commitment backed by significant managerial capacity. […] Read more Topics: Local government April 17, 2019
Project Welsh councils’ perceptions of austerity Drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders, this study explores Welsh councils’ responses to austerity. We find that councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
Project Implications of UK migration policy on the Welsh economy after Brexit Building on our previous work looking into immigration policy after Brexit, this project focuses on the likely impact of UK Government migration policies on the Welsh economy. Specifically, we’re working with Professor Jonathan Portes from Kings College London to model the impacts of the recommendations from the 2018 Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report and subsequent […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
Report Sustainable Public Procurement This paper has been produced at an important juncture in discussion of public procurement in Wales. Procurement services have been criticised by both the Wales Audit Office and the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, and following a year of consultation, the then Cabinet Secretary for Finance announced the cessation of the National Procurement Service in […] Read more Topics: Local government March 13, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing How do we Tackle Loneliness? Evidence on Deprivation and Different Communities This is the third in a three-part blog series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. Part one is here, and part two is here. Here, Suzanna Nesom discusses how loneliness might be tackled for materially deprived people and in different communities, given the available evidence. This series of blogs has been exploring what is known […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness March 7, 2019
Blog Post Research and Impact Managing diverse relationships in cross-cutting government This ‘think piece’ builds on my recent presentation to a seminar for senior officials hosted by the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the thorny issue of cross-government working. It isn’t an academic review, and I have deliberately not burdened it with lots of academic references. Instead I’m drawing on practical, interesting and […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches March 5, 2019
News Tackling Inequalities New report sets out paths from debt as large council tax rises loom Early intervention is key to stop Welsh households falling behind on their council tax or social housing rent payments, according to a new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy. As councils across Wales are seeking large increases in their council tax rates for the coming year, the report highlights the importance of building […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
News Community Wellbeing Adroddiad newydd yn nodi llwybrau rhag dyled wrth i drethi cyngor godi Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing How do we tackle loneliness? Evidence on supporting younger and older people This is the second in a three-part blog series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. The first article can be read here, and the third here. Here, we discuss possible ways to tackle loneliness in younger and older people, given the available evidence. With the Welsh Government planning to launch its Loneliness Strategy by the […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness February 19, 2019
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Is the future of the economy threatening local taxation? This is the second of our guest blogs expanding on some of the wider tax policy questions that couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters of our Welsh tax base research last year. Here, Hugo Bessis of the Centre for Cities considers the impact of the rise of automation and high street retail closures […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 14, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Growing the Welsh tax base through business rates: risks, rewards and trade-offs It has been six months since we published our report examining the risks and opportunities of fiscal devolution to the Welsh tax base. Our discussions with tax policy colleagues in the Welsh Government and experts and academics from across the UK threw up plenty of issues which couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 7, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value In this blog, John Tizard, co-author of our latest report Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value, introduces some key issues and arguments. This is part of our series on public procurement – find out more here. The public sector in Wales spends over £6bn per year on the procurement of services, works […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 5, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing What does the evidence say about loneliness in Wales? This is the first blog in a three-part series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. Part two is available here, and part three is available here. In this blog, Suzanna Nesom discusses what we know about loneliness as a concept, and what the evidence says about loneliness in Wales. The Welsh Government has committed to […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness January 31, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Collaborative procurement in Wales: Pulling together… but in what direction? Here at the Centre, we’re examining the evidence on public procurement, and aiming to publish some succinct reports in early 2019. Collaborating on procurement – joining forces to pool and strengthen in-house expertise or to access economies of scale – is an emerging theme. So, as part of our research process, we’ve been building a […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government December 20, 2018
Report Legislating to Prohibit Parental Physical Punishment of Children This report explores what might be learnt from countries which have introduced legislation to prohibit parental physical punishment of children. Based on a review of the legislation of, and accompanying research on, relevant jurisdictions, it seeks to identify the factors to be considered when reform proposals are being developed. As of 1 May 2018, 53 […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness November 2, 2018
Project How can policy commissions maximise their impact? In this short project, we examined the question ‘what makes a Welsh Government Commission effective?’ What impact can they have upon devolved policy making and public services? And in Westminster and Whitehall? Is it possible to distill critical success factors? The work was intended to inform the work of the Commission on the Future of […] Read more Topics: Local government August 21, 2018
Project Increasing the Impact of the What Works Network across the UK The Wales Centre for Public Policy has worked with What Works Scotland, Queen’s University Belfast, the Alliance for Useful Evidence and a range of What Works Centres to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, in an ESRC-funded project. The project involved running a series of summits for policymakers and public […] Read more Topics: Local government August 20, 2018
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The income tax base in Wales – who’ll pay what to the Welsh Government? Drawing on the report he co-authored for the Wales Centre for Public Policy, The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution, Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre explores the income tax base in Wales. From next April, the income tax paid by Welsh taxpayers will be partially devolved to the Welsh Government. UK government […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 23, 2018
Report Evidence for Good Charities are becoming increasingly sophisticated about how they gather evidence of impact, and there are many great guides and tools out there to help them do so. But there are other ways that the third sector can use evidence to increase its effectiveness and amplify its voice. In this report, published with the Alliance for Useful […] Read more Topics: Local government July 23, 2018
Report Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. Continuing pressure on the Welsh Government’s budget combined with the potential loss of EU funding for rural programmes means that it is […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion July 6, 2018
News Community Wellbeing Risks and opportunities for devolved taxes set out in new expert report There will be no simple way to increase income tax revenue using Wales’ new devolved tax powers, according to a new report by Cardiff University academics for the Wales Centre for Public Policy. ‘The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution’, written for the WCPP by researchers at the Wales Governance Centre, highlights […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
News Community Wellbeing Amlygu risgiau a chyfleoedd trethi datganoledig mewn adroddiad arbenigol newydd Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
Report The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution Under the new Fiscal Framework and devolution of some tax powers, from April 2019, the Welsh Government and local authorities will control nearly £5 billion of tax revenues, equivalent to roughly 30 per cent of their combined current spending. In this report we have worked with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University to examine […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
News Research and Impact Blueprint for Welsh policy commissions supplied by new expert report A new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy brings together evidence and expert perspectives to set out a best practice approach for future policy commissions. ‘Commissions and their role in public policy’ analyses how to get the foundations of a commission right, the different approaches to gathering evidence, and managing the politics to […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches June 21, 2018
News Research and Impact Adroddiad newydd yn cynnig cynllun ar gyfer comisiynau polisi yng Nghymru Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches June 21, 2018
Report Commissions and their Role in Public Policy The report analyses how to get the foundations of a commission right, the different approaches to gathering evidence, and managing the politics to ensure the best possible policy impact. It draws on both the insights of previous commission leaders, gathered in a private roundtable discussion, and relevant academic research. It was compiled to inform the current […] Read more Topics: Local government June 21, 2018
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Public Service Boards and wellbeing Public Service Boards (PSBs) across Wales last month published their wellbeing plans, outlining how public services and national bodies intend to work together to improve social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing in localities across Wales. Established under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the PSBs are now putting their plans into action and developing […] Read more Topics: Local government June 12, 2018
Report Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Access to Services The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. The causes of rural poverty are complex and multi-faceted, but access to services is known to be an important contributory factor. This […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Project Evidence for Welsh Public Service Leaders on Public Procurement Mobilising the power of procurement is a growing area of interest. The Welsh public sector spends approximately £6 billion annually on goods, services and works, however it is widely believed that there is room for public services to achieve greater added value from this spend through strategic approaches to procurement. This has been a recurrent […] Read more Topics: Local government June 7, 2018
Project Improving Impact Assessments The cynic’s caricature of impact assessments is that they are post hoc rationalisations of policy decisions that have already been made. But where they are used effectively, they can help to inform and shape policy, and to support effective scrutiny of the decisions made in that process. We were asked by the First Minister to […] Read more Topics: Local government April 26, 2018
Project Improving Cross-cutting Government Working The Welsh Government’s national strategy “Prosperity for All” seeks to “drive integration and collaboration across the Welsh Public Sector”, and First Minister Carwyn Jones has emphasised that the strategy’s commitments should be delivered in a “smarter, more joined up way that cuts across traditional boundaries.” The challenge to improve coordination across policy areas and public […] Read more Topics: Local government April 26, 2018
Project Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea This project explores the potential implications of Brexit on fisheries, agriculture, and rural areas in Wales. Read more Topics: Local government February 13, 2018
Report Regional Cooperation and Shared Services – Reflections from ‘Wales Down Under’ This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) reviews the existing evidence on shared services. Alongside that report, we commissioned Professor Graham Sansom (University of Technology Sydney) to summarise experiences of regional collaboration in Australia. Like Wales, Australia has experienced intense debates about the ‘right’ approach to structural reform of local government. Professor Sansom’s […] Read more Topics: Local government September 13, 2017
Report Considerations for Designing and Implementing Effective Shared Services This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brings together existing evidence on shared services in local government. In particular, it outlines why councils choose to share services, what makes shared service arrangements successful, and how central governments can enable and support this. Shared services involve the consolidation and standardisation of common tasks […] Read more Topics: Local government September 5, 2017
Report Environment and Net Zero Participatory Budgeting The Welsh Government is exploring the role Participatory Budgeting (PB) could play in the Welsh Government budget. To help inform this work, this report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides evidence on the different types of PB, how they have been used, and the key considerations for designing a PB process. The […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Local government Net Zero August 23, 2017
Report Environment and Net Zero Time for a Full Public Bank in Wales? This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brings together evidence on the effectiveness and viability of a full public bank in Wales. Debates surrounding this issue have been taking place between political parties in Wales for some time. The report examines what is meant by the term ‘public bank’, how such banks can be […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government August 7, 2017
Report Immigration Policy after Brexit This report sets out the likely options being considered by the UK Government in their development of a new immigration policy after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and what the implications and risks of these approaches might be for Wales’ economy and public services, taking into account current patterns of migration in the Welsh […] Read more Topics: Local government May 19, 2017
Blog Post Research and Impact How Wales is Understood in the UK is a Problem It was recently announced that a new BBC TV channel will broadcast in Scotland from 2018. It will have a budget of £30m, roughly equivalent to that of BBC Four. Alongside that, Scotland will receive more money to make UK-wide programmes. Perhaps the most interesting development is that, included in the new channel’s scheduling is an hour-long […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches March 23, 2017
Report Evidence Summary on EU Migration in Wales The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales to provide analytical support to the European Advisory Group (EAG). The Institute’s work complemented analyses conducted by Welsh Government officials and others. This report draws together existing evidence on four issues: the scale of EU migration to Wales; EU migration from Wales; the demographics and […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 19, 2016
Report Improving Public Services The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together an invited group of leading public management experts and Welsh Government officials to explore the existing evidence about public service improvement and identify future evidence needs to support incoming Ministers. Workshop participants included senior academics and representatives from Y Lab, the Early Intervention Foundation, What Works […] Read more Topics: Local government November 14, 2016
Report Environment and Net Zero Driving Public Service Transformation and Innovation through the Invest to Save Fund This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on how the Welsh Government could use its Invest to Save Fund more strategically to drive transformation and innovation across public services. To address this, we undertook in-house research and convened an expert workshop, bringing together experts in public service innovation, and representatives […] Read more Topics: Local government July 1, 2016
Report Improving Impact Assessments The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide advice on improving the Welsh Government’s Impact Assessment (IA) processes. IAs were highlighted by officials as being in need of improvement as part of the Permanent Secretary’s ‘Reducing Complexity’ Programme. Internal work made progress, but pointed to deeper issues that needed to […] Read more Topics: Local government April 1, 2016
Report Community Wellbeing Coping with the Cuts: Lessons from English Councils’ Responses to Budget Reductions his report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) analyses the impact of reductions in central government funding for councils in England and to identify potential lessons for Welsh local government. This report provides an overview of the impact of budget reductions in England and a thematic analysis of the strategies used by councils […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government December 10, 2015
Report Research and Impact Connection, Coherence and Capacity: Policy Making in Smaller Countries The William Plowden Fellowship supports short research projects looking at issues of governance and public policy. Under its auspices, Tamlyn Rabey, a civil servant at the Welsh Government, has undertaken a study of policy making in smaller countries. The study found that there are significant advantages in relation to policy making from working at the […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches October 6, 2015
Report Research and Impact Comparing Council Performance: The Feasibility of Cross-National Comparisons within the UK For this report the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned experts at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to assess the feasibility of comparing the performance of Welsh, English and Scottish Councils. Their report identifies a series of indicators that provide a basis for reliable comparisons of expenditure and performance at […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches September 10, 2015
Report Community Wellbeing High Performing Councils Think-piece This report, written by Dr Barry Quirk, examines what makes for a good council. Dr Quirk is one of the UK’s most experienced and successful chief executives. He argues that councils need to adopt new approaches and mindsets to cope with the double whammy of spending cuts and increasing public expectations and that high performing […] Read more Topics: Local government July 17, 2015
Report Environment and Net Zero Moving Forwards: Improving Strategic Transport Planning in Wales This report, from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW), considers what the Welsh Government might learn from the theory and practice of strategic transport planning internationally. The focus is on four key questions: What are the key issues that need to be taken into account in order to provide effective strategic transport planning? Are […] Read more Topics: Just Transition Local government November 1, 2014
Report Research and Impact How Should the Welsh Government Decide where to Locate its Overseas Offices? Making sure Wales has the right web presence and creating roving teams to promote benefits of locating in Wales are just two recommendations from reports produced by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW). Led by Professor Max Munday, an expert in inward investment based at Cardiff University’s Business School, the research found that Wales […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches October 29, 2014
Report Community Wellbeing The Implications of ‘Small Country Governance’ for Public Services This report was prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It examines what is meant by 'small country governance', discusses whether it is a useful concept in Wales, and identifies lessons that might be drawn from international comparators. It addresses four questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: Is the […] Read more Topics: Local government January 17, 2014
Report Community Wellbeing Performance Management and Public Service Improvement This report has been prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It draws together research from around the world to address four questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: what is performance management; does performance management lead to improvement in public services; what kinds of performance management are most effective; […] Read more Topics: Local government January 13, 2014
Report Community Wellbeing Collaboration and Public Services Improvement Governments across the world have adopted collaborative approaches to managing public services in a bid to tackle wicked issues, improve services and contain costs. Collaboration has particular prominence in Wales where it has been at the heart of the Welsh Government’s overarching framework for public service reform. Some question, however: if it is right to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government January 8, 2014
Report Community Wellbeing Achieving Accountability in Public Services This report has been prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It draws together recent debates and research evidence to address questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: (1) How to improve the accountability of public service partnerships? (2) How to improve the effectiveness of regulatory accountability? (3) How to […] Read more Topics: Local government January 6, 2014
