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Author Archives: Jo Ivens
First check for existence of the wheel
Another stimulating, inspiring and energising day at CityCamp Brighton, the annual social innovation unconference… I love it, and I’ve been involved in since the first CityCamp took place here in 2011. I’ve had conversations with people I would never have … Continue reading
Things to do at 5am when you can’t sleep…
Number one: consolidate your blogs. Obviously. In 2011 I spent a lot of enjoyable time working on a project called DataBridge. This was an exploration of open data and its potential for the voluntary sector. I worked with OCSI, Brighton … Continue reading
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What a difference a year makes…
It’s more than a year since I posted here. So, why the hiatus and why bother to come back here at this point? Well, I changed jobs – completely – and sort of lost my voice. I fell into the … Continue reading
In defence of Intelligent Commissioning
I’ve just seen The Argus article about Brighton & Hove’s Intelligent Commissioning programme, criticising work done to reform the way the City decides what it spends its money on. To me it’s a very one sided article, and makes a very common mistake. Commissioning … Continue reading
Posted in Comment, Local Government
Tagged Brighton & Hove, Intelligent Commissioning, local government
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“We don’t measure impact as it’s too difficult” – Brighton & Hove Council
I have just received an email which has astonished me so much that I want to share it. It concerns the rhetoric of measuring impact, and why just not bothering is good enough for the local authority Economic Development Team. … Continue reading
Making Open Data Real – my consultation response
The consultation questions are unclear, convoluted and somehow simultaneously too specific and too vague. So, this response below brings together the key issues from the DataBridge project, my own policy and practice experience within the voluntary sector, and wider conversations … Continue reading
Posted in Comment, Open Data, Policy
Tagged central government, open data, open data consultation
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LA Code on Data Transparency
The Communities department have today published their Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency. It’s intended to drive greater publication by local authorities of a swathe of data from spending, to contracts, to performance. Currently ‘expected’, Ministers … Continue reading
Posted in Local Government, Open Data, Policy
Tagged central government, local government, open data, policy, VCS
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Blogging against the clock
Can I do a blog in 13 minutes about the recent Best Value Guidance? If so, will it be coherent? Let’s see… CLG published new, ultra short Best Value Guidance on 2 Sept, NCVO published a useful report from their … Continue reading
A little bit of politics, Denmark style
I happened to be in Denmark on election day last week, and was lucky enough to have some Danish friends to both show us around and talk politics. A few things struck me strongly from dipping my toe into Danish … Continue reading
Jo Ivens 
Big charities are spoiling things for us small ones
Stories abound in the press about charities. Many are critical. The stories I find most memorable are those focused on financial scandals, governance or data failings and where the high profile casualties don’t do much to change the tone of … Continue reading →