IDB announces progress with task forces and new appointments

James Alexander, chair of the Improvement and Development Board (IDB), expressed delight over the progress of establishing task forces aimed at harnessing a range of expertise on a task-and-finish basis.

Three task forces on civility and respect, intervention, and workforce have been created. These task forces are set to make pivotal recommendations for improvement and development in various key areas. Each task force has conducted its inaugural meetings, set initial priorities, and reported back to the IDB. Notably, the Intervention Task Force is proactively working towards presenting its final recommendations to the board on 12 November 2024, focusing on addressing rare but potentially severe failures.

A fourth task force dedicated to data is also in the pipeline. This new task force will explore the implications of data for improvement and development. The terms of reference and membership for this task force have been agreed upon following informative presentations on the benefits of data analysis by De Montfort University and the Local Government Association (LGA).

In addition to the task force's progress, the IDB has welcomed John Austin, the chair of the Association of Democratic Services Officers, Annie Child, the chief executive of the Smaller Authorities' Audit Appointments, and Deborah Evans, the chief executive of Lawyers in Local Government, as its new members who have already made invaluable contributions.

The IDB has also begun discussions on the potential impacts of government changes on local councils. It was agreed that a new Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government representative should be invited to join the IDB. The new department has emphasised its intent to "reset relationships with local government" and "transfer power out of Whitehall and into our communities".