Local people are set to benefit from improved government services as a result of a new strategic alliance between Local Government and the UK's Research Councils.
The Local Authority Research Council Initiative will bring together a wide range of groups whose aim is to develop groundbreaking technologies that will deliver more efficient council services while at the same time making people's lives easier.
Examples of previous work include:
- Research into climate change which saw CO2 emissions drop by 2,000 tonnes in one week in Birmingham after the implementation of the findings.
- Research for Brighton and Hove City Council which improved access to public transport for disabled people across the city.
- Portsmouth City Council worked with Southampton University on household waste collection, sorting, recycling which saved the council taxpayer money and made the council more efficient at delivering services.
Speaking on behalf of Research Councils UK, Professor Ian Diamond said: "Greater knowledge exchange between local government and the UK's world class researchers is especially important in meeting the critical challenges that face all of us in the 21st century. The new concordat will not only help local governments to deal with local issues arising from problems such as climate change, crime and disease but will enable local communities to influence aspects of the UK's research agenda."
Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, Paul Coen, said:
"This Concordat is a landmark in bringing together researchers and local government to bring more invention, more innovation and more creativity to the work that local authorities do in delivering the best services for local people.
"We want to put people first and will work hard to ensure that research is passed on to those who can deliver better areas and services."
Steve Bundred, Chief Executive of the Audit Commission, said:
"Today's commitment gives local government an even stronger voice in the direction of our research. This in turn will ensure our auditing work best reflects the local priorities and needs of local people.
"Whether it be issues tackling climate change or local anti-social behaviour, we are committed to refining our audit programme to reflect changing local concerns. We therefore welcome this concordat and the better outcomes for local communities that it will help to deliver."
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Notes:
The Local Authority Research Council Initiative (LARCI) concordat is being launched at a signing event on 28 November 2007 at the Royal Society in London.
LARCI website: http://www.larci.org.uk/
Signatories to the Concordat are:
Arts and Humanities Research Council;
Audit Commission;
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council;
Communities and Local Government;
Economic and Social Research Council;
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council;
Improvement and Development Agency;
Local Government Association;
Natural Environment Research Council;
Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE)
About Research Councils UK
The seven Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of over £2.8 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's seven Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Contact
Julia Short
RCUK Media Officer, Tel 01793 444435