Localgov tricks tips: Statistics

As publishers of a number of titles serving local government, we get a good number of enquiries from people for statistics on councils.

In light of this, we have compiled some of the data we hold on local authorities in Loclagov.co.uk's statistics section.




The section features drop down menus which allow you to filter the statistics by a number of criteria (including finance, population, staffing) and, depending on the depth of the information we have, by council type and 'country'.

Once you have filtered the data, explanations of the tables are included by clicking on the 'further information about these results' link.

On the right road?

A poll has been issued by the Institution of Civil Engineers this week.

Accompanying the institution’s annual ‘state of the nation’ report, it found that of 3,000 people surveyed, some 60% thought that road user charging was a ‘fairer car’ tax.

Also, 83% of those questioned would leave their cars at home it public transport were improved.

Half felt they would use their cars less is a national system of road user charging was implemented.

It is tempting for the car-bashers (and I would regard myself as a ‘moderate’) to get overly excited about these findings, though.

Small sample aside, presenting road user charging in an environment where vehicle excise duty is reduced or axed is bound to appeal as most people blindly believe that they don’t use their cars that much.

Paying for your behaviour will always be more palatable than the blunt, blanket VED tool.

However, it would be wrong for people to surmise that they will be better off under this kind of regime.

If applied correctly, people who genuinely rely on their cars in more remote rural areas should feel they are getting a better deal. Commuters in congested zones will feel the pinch and either stomach the additional charges or switch to public transport (which should improve in accordance with these ‘demand management’ techniques).

All this is a fanciful notion, though. As ably demonstrated in London and now being tested in Manchester, congestion needs strong political leadership otherwise all the consultation and sound technical reasoning behind schemes will fall on deaf, or unwilling, ears.

And where is this political leadership coming from the at the moment?

The chief executives of tomorrow

I've just returned from this year's SOLACE conference in Belfast.

If I were to sum up the event, two things come to mind. First, how Belfast's regeneration has progressed for the good since my last visit some six years ago and second, how gloomy most chief executives are in the face of the current economic crisis.

The talk in the conference hall and in the bars was dominated by the topic, and the feeling among many senior officers was that their organisations would have to become even leaner as the country moves through this difficult phase. Hard decisions would have to be made.

The topic also featured prominently in a round table debate organised by Localgov.co.uk sister title the MJ and the Improvement and Development Agency. The proposition facing those attending was to consider whether the graduates of the National Graduate Development Programme would ultimately be equipped to lead councils in the future.

It was a fascinating discussion involving gradates of the scheme and chief exectuives and a range of issues were covered... the article will be appearing in the MJ and on Loclagov.co.uk shortly.

One point had a lasting effect on me, though. It became clear that the benefits of the NGDP hinge on the organisations which these candidates work for.

It saddened me to hear of 'bed blocking' senior officers who stymie innovation were seemingly not prepared to value those who challenge the status quo. Another participant suggested that some authorities were only interested in taking the views of consultants (at great expense) rather than their own professional teams.

Now I appreciate that this situation will not apply to all authorities, and that aspiring graduates do need to bolster their credibility with the pragmatic skills and experience gained running a service.

But councils must ensure they have strong career development and performance management practices in place if they are going to attract and nurture the brightest and best candidates in the future.

Credit crunch... some advice

Another day, and more gloomy headlines on the economy.

Although the credit crunch is (rightly) affecting Localgov.co.uk's news agenda at the moment, one contributor has at least taken the opportunity to offer some advice to authorities.

Director of finance at the London Borough of Newham, Richard Ennis, believes that the current economic situation is 'the biggest challenge facing local government'.

However, he says councils are ideally placed to lead the communities they represent. Read Mr Ennis's article here.