Localism in Action: Implementing Wellbeing Frameworks

Mike Reid presented a very informative and engaging talk to a big audience on the implementation of the government's wellbeing framework at a local level - this was a joint IPANZ and Auckland Council event.

Some of the key points from the session included:

• Grant Robertson was charged with developing a budget that was focussed on outcomes and wellbeing
• GDP as looks a the economy, but wellbeing is far wider and broader than this
• He described the Welsh government and local government prioritised a well-being agenda setting up well-being boards
• Need to deepen democracy by strengthening voice and active involvement of citizens
• Council gets 11% of all public spending in NZ = have we got the balance right?
• Significant benefit in central and local government working a lot more closely together to identify policy/programme/ service gaps
• Decentralisation is not a new idea – do we just keep flipping from one back to the other?

There is a guide for central government engagement with local government on the following websites www.dpmc.govt.nz and www.dia.govt.nz

Please note that you can read a full article written by Mike Reid in our December issue of the Public Sector Journal