Natalie Brahma-Pearl

Council budgets are being squeezed, with ever-increasing costs, rising demand and inadequate government funding.

Many frontline services such as waste collection, highways, housing repairs and FM are outsourced, so can suppliers do anything over and above providing services to help local authorities save money?

Does the answer lie in greater investment in innovation to improve productivity?

Is there a different model beyond traditional outsourcing or self-delivery?

Can long-term partnership working make the difference?