Launch of RSA project with lessons for Cumbria
Tonight sees the launch of an RSA project that should produce important results for public service provision in South Lakeland and Cumbria. Working in partnership with Peterborough City Council and the Arts Council, the RSA (of which I am a fellow) will implement a wide range of projects that will help citizens become more self-reliant, resilient, altruistic and creative. Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA, notes:
“If public agencies are to improve service outcomes in the difficult years ahead they will need to forge a different type of relationship with citizens. This is one of the assumptions behind the partnership.”
I couldn’t agree more. I make related arguments on the importance of active citizenship here and here.
This is also the thinking behind Labour’s bold move towards co-operative councils. As the co-operative council model develops, the lessons of the RSA’s partnership with Peterborough City Council and the Arts Council will be valuable.
I’ll be pushing the District and County Councils that serve Westmorland and Lonsdale to take on board these lessons, otherwise my expectation is that public service users in the constituency are likely to have to endure falling service standards over coming years.
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