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Category Archives: Comment
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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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
Where next for open data?
“Transparency is the most important policy lever we’ve got, and open data is the critical part of this”, so says Tim Kelsey, the government’s new Director of Transparency. At a Demos seminar this lunchtime the explained the vision and scope of the … Continue reading
Big Society shrinkage?
Lord Wei, the Coalition Government’s Big Society ‘tsar’, stood down today. Cue a chorus of puns about small society and volunteers doing his job, and more dire warnings about how Cameron’s flagship policy is under threat. But in the midst … Continue reading
Open data: we can’t just rely on developers
Developers can’t be the only markets for open data sites – communities and individuals may need to use data in ways that developers, markets and funders don’t understand. Charles Arthur in The Guardian’s technology blog today reposted excerpts from Tom … Continue reading
1500 Voices
The biggest Voice 11 so far took place yesterday in the chilly surrounds of the O2 and the enthusiasm and openness of the delegates was only slightly marred by the temperature, thanks to copious amounts of free coffee from The … 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 →