The report assesses the two unitary options for Bedfordshire – a unitary county and two unitary councils consisting of Bedford and Central Bedfordshire (combining Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils). It is critical of all of the proposals and finds serious flaws in the Government’s option appraisal process, particularly the absence of an enhanced two-tier…

The European Services Strategy Unit has published a new study ‘Shared Services in Britain’ commissioned by the Australian Institute for Social Research and the Public Service Association. This comprehensive report examines various models and examples of public sector shared services, costs and benefits, employment impacts, governance and transparency and the long-term implications of shared services…

This ESSU Research Report focuses on appraisal criteria, which are a fundamental part of the options appraisal process. It outlines out the key stages in the appraisal process.

A strategic approach to developing shared services projects based on a progressive approach, principles for shared services, a public sector shared services strategy, democratic governance and accountability, an evidence-based methodology, quality jobs and comprehensive appraisal criteria and impact assessment. (May 2007)

An investigation into the transfer of 10 residential care homes by Essex County Council to Excelcare Holdings PLC.

The Department of Health has rejected a KPMG options appraisal in favour of a ESSU appraisal prepared for UNISON Northern, thus saving 2,500 jobs.

Assesses Oldham’s planned Strategic Service Delivery Partnership and shows that the project falls well short of the targets and claims made for community cohesion, regeneration and job creation.

In 2006 visitors to the ESSU web site examined 137,791 pages and downloaded 35,332 .pdf files and 4,380 .doc files, a total of 8.652 gigabites.

A paper setting out a four part typology of privatisation and marketisation. The typology provides examples and explanation of the different types of privatisation and marketisation; methods; political, social and economic objectives; and the impact on the state and public services.

The European Services Strategy Unit has devised an Employment Risk Matrix which assesses the degree of changes in four categories of risk.