Management/ Policy/ Technology/ Finance
September 2004

Management

· Absenteeism

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that public sector staff took an average of 10.7 days off sick each year, compared with 7.8 in the private sector. Walter Emmett, head of public sector resourcing at Penna, argues that the data surrounding absenteeism conceals management issues which demand sophisticated interpretation. To visit the CIPD website, click here

· Management development

This autumn, "ambitious local authority middle managers" are invited to join a programme promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to transform them into candidates for senior manager jobs. To find out more, go to the ODPM website, here

· Online services

Techno-enthusiasts believe that information technology can empower disadvantaged communities, but how relevant are these technologies to the socially and economically excluded? To read Brian Loader and Leigh Keeble's report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on the "digital divide", click here

Policy

· Outsourcing

In his pamphlet published by the thinktank Catalyst, Sanjiv Sachdev is sceptical about the idea of public private partnership: "While New Labour has presided over a revival of public service employment, there has been no corresponding renewal of a public service ethic or a new settlement on labour standards...". To get hold of the report, go to the Catalyst website

· Adhocracy

Arturo Alvarez Rosete, health policy at the King's Fund, outlines the restructuring of the Department of Health by Sir Nigel Crisp, the permanent secretary. Function, not geography, is the principle. To find out more about the work of the King's Fund, visit its website

Technology

· Business systems

Simon Bramble, head of the information service division in the Forensic Science Service, describes how the FSS transformed their technological set-up in order to install an integrated operational management system. The new system has helped the FSS to save costs while increasing detection rates and reducing crime. To visit the FSS's website, click here

· A vision for health

New IT systems in the NHS would save staff time, reduce costs and ease administrative burdens. Deborah Roche offers her vision of health informatics. To read her pamphlet, PCTs: An unfinished agenda, for the Institute of Public Policy Research, go to the IPPR website

Finance

· Annual accounts

Andy Wynne, head of public sector technical issues at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, argues the case for rigorous public sector accounting. To go to the ACCA's website, click here

· Finance professionals

The finance profession is going through an evolutionary period. New roles are being created and it is important that public sector finance professionals ensure that their skills and knowledge keep apace. Roberta Woodcock, consultant at Insight MSC, outlines the changes taking place. Click here to go to the Insight MSC website.

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