Partnerships - it's time to come together

摘要

What a year it has been with an ageing population, a reduction in central funding and a deteriorating infrastructure, the extraneous pressures on local government have reached a tipping point. Within this context the sector continues to argue that strong and vibrant communities need investment beyond that required for provision of only statutory services. In a world where rising demand and growing complexity prevail, the public and private sectors need to re-imagine what is possible, to bring about positive change in delivering outcomes that address society's most urgent needs. The year has seen some dramatic sector headlines, with Northamptonshire, Somerset, Norfolk, East Sussex, Surrey and Lancashire County Councils all being put in the spotlight., matched by the collapse of Carillion and concerns regarding other outsourcing providers. All this may lead some to believe that the public sector, and those who work predominantly alongside it, is in crisis.