Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
Our 'Supporting councils with business engagement' report captured learning from councils' contact with businesses over the course of the pandemic and their plans going forward. Gloucestershire County Council was one example. In 2021, they adopted a new approach to engage with businesses to better understand the issues impacting the county.
Central Bedfordshire Council’s dedicated Business and Investment team offers bespoke advice and support to attract new businesses to relocate to the area. Underpinning this approach is the delivery of a holistic support service to help ensure businesses have easy access to a range of services to support their needs. This includes advice regarding commercial property, planning applications and skills needs for their workforce. In doing so, the council utilises a place-based and partnership approach to promote the location as an area for people, to live, work and invest in.
Wakefield Council has a range of coordinated and evidence-based projects and programmes which aim to improve the wellbeing of residents, help them into the job market and raise aspirations. They are carefully structured and monitored to produce the best results.
Bradford District Council has been leading a programme to improve community cohesion and engagement and reduce inequalities. More than 70 individual projects have been launched and 25,000 people engaged in the process.
Nottingham City Council published a BAME Inequalities Framework in the summer of 2020 which set out a place-based approach to trying to make progress. A taskforce, including representatives from the council and other public sector partners and community groups, was set up to help drive forward the work, including around COVID-19 vaccinations. This case study forms part of the health inequalities hub.
Birmingham City Council is the largest employer in the city. They have committed to improving the pay and work opportunities for people from marginalised ethnic groups through improving their recruitment process, setting up a dedicated equalities and cohesion team and the carrying out the council’s first Workforce Race Equity Review. This case study forms part of the health inequalities hub.
Swindon BC set up a menopause group in response to media and celebrity profile building, and a suggestion from an employee for the need to open up the discussion about menopause to positively address personal and business needs for being menopause aware.
The Children’s Social Work Matters (CSWM) programme was launched 10 years ago to champion the vital role of children’s social workers and raise industry standards.
The Integrated Community Response (ICR) service is one such example, where Salford Council is working closely with 42nd Street, CAMHS and Salford Mind.