BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION TO THE NETWORK

Following a MORI survey during 1991/92 which found that there was no one organisation which focused specifically on the needs of Local Government Managers across different professions. The Local Government Management Network was launched at the SOLACE conference in April 1992.

Established with some initial financial support from the Local Government Chronicle and backing from the Local Government Management Board, the Management Network acts as a national resource within Local Government offering individual the opportunity to network, promoting high standards, continuous management development and being a catalyst for change.

The Local Government Management Network was established not a professional association but a forum for managers from all levels and professions in Local Government. The Network is co-ordinated by a National Steering Committee which is made up of Local Government Officers.

However with the emphasis from Central Government for more joined-up working at a local level to deal with the delivery of a more effective public service, then the shape of services is changing rapidly creating a mix of service provision. Also as government funding streams alter, quasi commercial entities are emerging as the vehicles for delivering public services to citizens and the community.

We have seen new types of roles that have begun to emerge within the public sector over the past few years and will increase over time, these include Customer Relationship Managers, e-technology related positions, business process re-engineering, Business Partners, Programme Directors to name just a few.

There is an increasing need for a new level of commercial acumen within public services particularly for joint ventures, public private partnerships, PFI deals and new types of partnership arrangements across public services themselves. There is a need for a Managers Network for all that work across public sector entities to help cross fertilise the learning and skills between themselves and with people from other sectors. This includes the wider not for profit and quasi commercial companies.

Analysis has shown that over the next ten years in Local Government alone, 400,000 Managers will retire given there is a current shortage of people and talent, then the public services will need to be creative in attracting the best Managers.

We have decided to evolve the LGMN to the Public Services Management Network to facilitate networked learning events utilising digital technology via the web for virtual reality debates and discussions as well as focused learning networks that meet across the country. This we believe is what a modern management network should be about.

A new National Steering Committee has been created with representatives from across public private sectors and the wider not for profit sector. These include health, housing and regeneration bodies and central government. They will finalise a programme of activity for 2006/07. Activities will include:

• Service specific talk rooms on specialist issues and emerging areas of government legislation and thinking as well as new management approaches.
• ‘Thought Leadership’ pages to share cutting edge ideas.
• International exchange programmes for those that want to go beyond solutions from the UK.
• Over arching Policy Nets facilitated by “experts for experts”.
• A Futures event to be hosted by Microsoft.
• Executive briefings on career development including opportunities for switching sectors.
• Providing opportunities for organisations to advertise secondment, career exchange and job opportunities free of charge.

The principal sponsors of The Public Services Management Network will be Harvey Nash, The Times Public Agenda and Improvement & Development Agency.

This is a significant development in a new style organisation that has been focused on the needs of the individual managers rather than specific sectors within the wider public sector. The emergence of The Public Services Management Network can only lead to a more efficient and effective service delivery for citizens on the ground.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE NETWORK

Since its launch, the Public Services Management Network has organised in excess of 100 national and regional events. These include: -

Seminars include:

• New Approaches to Resource Management
• Quality Management in Practice
• In Search of the Enabling Council
• Career & Life Planning
• Working with Chief Executives
• Managing Organisational Health
• Chief Executive 2000

The National Manager Award - Leadership 2000

Japanese, South African and USA Study Tours

4 Annual Local Government Schools

The Leading Edge Management Development Programme

South Africa “Shoulder to Shoulder Initiative”

The National Top Team Awards (now in it’s 10th year!!!)

5 Policy Net Initiatives:

• Dealing with Best Value
• Community Development
• E-Government
• Managing Modernisation
• Delivering Real Performance Improvement

In addition a full programme of events has been organised for 2006/07, providing further development opportunities for managers that want to stay ahead of the game!

The Network also produces a quarterly newsletter "The Briefing" which is circulated direct to members. These publications incorporates information and news items from members.

Joining the Network is free, and by joining you ensure that you receive all relevant information on the PSMN and partnering organisations. Please complete the enclosed application form if you are interested in joining the Network.

The Network also has a site on the Internet which has recently been re-designed by our hosts Harvey Nash, this site holds further information and the ability to feedback comments, our address is www.psmn.org

This new website also has opportunity for Managers to complete a talent register, please log on to find out more.

For further information please contact the National Co-ordinator, Warren Tonks by telephone: (0121) 415 8540, mobile (07737) 732648 or via e-mail : warrentonks@hotmail.com.