Local govt efficiency drive faces opposition

16/05/2008

A local government initiative to streamline back-office functions has faltered, Personnel Today has reported.

Browne Jacobson, a legal jobs employer, surveyed 178 senior managers in the public sector and found most were opposed to the changes.

Siobhan Coughlan, principal consultant at the improvement and development agency, admitted there had been problems.

"Workforce opposition is a barrier," she said. "We underestimate the communication needed and plough along until we hit the barrier - which may be threats of industrial action - and then we have to unpick, go back and start again to properly consult staff."

Despite research demonstrating the possible savings from sharing departments, 36 per cent of managers told Browne Jacobson they opposed the idea, while only 22 per cent were in favour.

The commons public accounts committee recently questioned government claims that sharing services could save £1.4 billion each year.

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