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We work with local government, and national organisations supporting local government, on projects that range from leadership development to community planning. We are supporting local strategic partnerships and facilitating a wide range of local partnership meetings. As neighbourhood renewal and regional regeneration has moved up the agenda, we have been working on this with government offices for the regions and regional development agencies. And we are carrying out major projects for the department of Communities and Local Government, DEFRA, the Cabinet Office and DfES.

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Recent examples

We carried out an extensive research project for the DCLG (then ODPM) looking at capacity building in local government. This involved a literature review of existing evidence of skills and knowledge gaps; case studies with ten local authorities; regional workshops with a range of organisations and local authority chief executives; the compilation of a directory of suppliers and a telephone survey amongst local authorities. The report informed the priorities for the joint ODPM/LGA capacity building fund and can be viewed at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/ stellent/groups/odpm_localgov/ documents/page/odpm_locgov_023341.hcsp

We run leadership development for top managers in local government, such as:

• The ODPM Future Leadership Programme – this is a 7-day, 3-module development programme that we deliver jointly with Ashridge.
  See the website: http://www.futureleadership.gov.uk (opens new window)
• We have now completed the sixth cohort of our own national programme, ‘Leaders in Local Governance’. This modular programme is aimed at directors and assistant directors and, in some cases, heads of service. It covers a mix of: personal leadership, creating effective organisations and partnerships and understanding the strategic public service context.
• Belfast City Council's management development programme for 300 managers from across the whole authority, in partnership with other local suppliers. Our part of this programme included the modules, Developing personal and organisational learning, Understanding culture and communication, Managing people, Strategic service planning and Managing change
• London Borough of Brent's Leadership for Excellence programme. We designed this senior management development programme that brings together the top 100 managers from across the council to learn and work together on the key issues that will enable them to move towards 'Excellence' in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment. The programme has a modular format, allowing individual managers to focus on their main leadership development issues. It uses a range of learning and development methods specifically related to the work of Brent and the challenges they face.
• One-day workshop on scrutiny. In March 2007 we held a one-day workshop on scrutiny. Read a short report of the scrutiny workshop. Find out more about our governance work.

Preparation for Comprehensive Performance Assessment and Joint Area Review

OPM works with local authorities to help them improve their CPA/JAR preparation and achieve the rating which really reflects their performance and progress. To find out more, go to our CPA/JAR page.

Government Office West Midlands - Neighbourhood Renewal Exchange Programme

In the West Midlands we have been working with GOWM to run two sets of four workshops 'In pursuit of thriving neighbourhoods' covering performance management and mainstreaming for practitioners, an introduction and update on neighbourhood renewal for senior officers and members with a final drawing together session where both practitioners, senior officers, policy makers and members were brought together to frame a way forward for their localities, be that in terms of their LSP, NDC or Neighbourhood Management pilot.

We work with a wide range of partnerships especially LSPs, undertaking strategy and process based facilitation. Recent clients have included Slough Borough Council and Canterbury Council. We are also currently managing a programme of national and regional action learning sets for LSP members as part of a wider evaluation project for the DCLG.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) recently commissioned OPM to design and deliver a member development programme to meet the needs of 36 leading elected members in the Manchester region. AGMA was seeking a provider that could help participants learn from each other and to provide mutual support, while also exposing them to high quality teaching, challenge and facilitation. We have designed a five-day programme covering: The challenge of leadership; Working at a regional and sub regional level; Improving performance; and Community leadership. We are using a range of teaching and learning techniques to meet the specific needs of councillors with different learning styles and experiences of development activities. We use presentations, case studies, action learning groups, one-to-one feedback, external speakers and panels.

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