Continuous improvement

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

  1. •

    what is CI

  2. •

    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

  3. •

    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

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Latest Local Government News

HM Treasury unveils ten-year Infrastructure Strategy with £725bn clean energy investment plan

HM Treasury, in partnership with the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, has unveiled a landmark ten-year Infrastructure Strategy as part of the Plan for Change. This detailed strategy commits at least £725bn to infrastructure investment through to 2035, with the dual aim of establishing the UK as a clean energy superpower and providing long-term investment certainty. It outlines aggressive 2030 clean power targets of 43–50 gigawatts (GW) offshore wind, 27–29 GW onshore wind, and 45–47 GW solar capacity, while allocating £9.4bn for carbon capture, usage and storage projects and £500m for hydrogen transport infrastructure. In addition, the strategy sets aside £14.2bn for the development of Sizewell C and £2.5bn for small modular reactor programmes, with Great British Energy set to invest £8.3bn in clean power projects, including £300m for offshore wind supply chains.

Court finds compelling justification to continue injunctions to prevent dangerous car-cruising against persons unknown (Birmingham CC and Wolverhampton CC and others v Persons Unknown)

Local Government analysis: In continuing several local authority injunctions against named defendants and persons unknown for car-cruising and associated nuisance, Mr Justice Ritchie helpfully summarised the proper approach to whether such injunctions as against persons unknown should be continued on a review as prescribed by Wolverhampton City Council & others v London Gypsies and Travellers and others (‘the Wolverhampton case’). The case assimilates the numerous factors to which the court must have regard (and which the parties ought to address in evidence and submissions) by reference to the decisions in Valero Energy Ltd v Persons Unknown, the Wolverhampton case and MBR Acres Ltd and others v McGivern. Written by Stephanie Smith, barrister at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square.

MHCLG launches consultation on council tax administration reforms

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched a consultation proposing reforms to council tax administration. The proposals include changing default payments from 10 to 12 months, revising debt enforcement procedures, updating the Severe Mentally Impaired exemption definition and reviewing support for care workers and apprentices. The consultation, open for 12 weeks, represents the largest reform to council tax administration since 1993. A parallel Ministry of Justice consultation on debt enforcement sector regulation runs until 21 July 2025.

No right to a solicitor when individual development plans are reviewed (R (on the application of AY) v Vale of Glamorgan County Borough County)

Local Government analysis: The claimant’s mother applied for judicial review of the Council’s decision refusing her request to be accompanied by a solicitor at a meeting to review her son’s individual development plan (IDP) which made provision for his additional learning needs under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET(W)A 2018). The Court of Appeal concluded that the Act required an authority to have regard to how to facilitate a child’s and their parent’s involvement in the review process but there was no statutory right to be accompanied by a solicitor at the review meeting. Written by Denis Edwards, barrister, Normanton Chambers.

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