Continuous improvement

This subtopic provides an overview of continuous improvement (CI) methodologies and tools, and covers the following areas:

•
what is CI
•
a five-step improving efficiency framework:
1. ◦
  step 1—identify and define the problem
2. ◦
  step 2—measure the problem
3. ◦
  step 3—analyse what’s causing the problem
4. ◦
  step 4—improve the process
5. ◦
  step 5—making changes across the department
•
managing change

What is CI?

The definition of CI is often overcomplicated and buried in jargon, but it means exactly what it says: continually looking for ways to improve processes, methods and procedures to remove blockages, make them as efficient as possible, and therefore, save time and money.

Improvements do not have to be major changes; a number of small but effective changes soon add up.

CI tools and methods can help fix processes that are no longer effective, and allow a review of processes that currently appear to be working but could still be improved to deliver greater efficiencies and cost savings. In organisations where staffing levels have been cut, CI can also help identify how to perform the same tasks

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Local Government News

UKIFS announces £2.5bn funding commitment for world’s first prototype fusion power plant

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) has announced an additional £2.5bn in funding for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion power plant. The facility will be constructed at the site of the former West Burton A coal-fired power station near Retford and Gainsborough, and is expected to be operational by 2040. STEP operates by fusing the hydrogen gases—deuterium and tritium—which are heated to over 150 million degrees Celsius and confined within a magnetic field. The resulting energy will be used to produce steam, which in turn will drive a turbine to generate electricity.

Planning reform working paper—reforming site thresholds

Planning analysis: The government has published a working paper on reforming site size thresholds to support housing delivery on different types of sites. This means taking a gradated approach to the system as a whole—removing and streamlining disproportionate requirements on small and medium sites, while maintaining and strengthening requirements on major development. This analysis looks at the key proposals and implications.

Modernising planning committees—proposed reforms and implications

Planning analysis: On 28 May 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a technical consultation on proposed reforms to planning committees in England, closing on 23 July 2025. These reforms are part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill's implementation and aim to modernise planning decision-making processes. The proposed reforms seek to enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of planning decisions in England. By standardising delegation, optimising committee structures, mandating training, and refining performance metrics, the government aims to create a more responsive planning system that supports sustainable development and economic growth.

Equality Act 2010 provisions refer to biological sex, regardless of gender recognition certificate (For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers)

Public Law analysis: The Supreme Court held that the terms ‘man’, ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) refer to biological sex. Its relevant provisions cannot be interpreted as including ‘certificated sex’ under a gender recognition certificate (GRC) without rendering them incoherent and unworkable. In relation to sex discrimination, a person has the protected characteristic of their biological sex only. The relevant provisions of the EqA 2010 fall within the section 9(3) of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA 2004) and so displace the rule in s 9(1) of that Act that the gender of a person with a GRC is for all purposes the acquired gender. This is a very significant judgment on the meaning of the EqA 2010, and on the law of discrimination particularly as it affects women and trans people. It must be understood by all those who advise on or are concerned with discrimination law, particularly employers, service providers and public authorities. Written by the LexisNexis Public Law team.

View Local Government by content type :

News