Trust and local government
Trust in local government is widely felt to be declining. But what do we mean by trust, how do people form trusting relationships, and how can public service organisations realistically develop more of those relationships?
This project is trying to answer those questions from first principles. Working with councils in Solihull, Wakefield, Sunderland and Lewisham we are trying to find out how different kinds of people feel about trusting their local authority, then doing some action research to try and increase trust in those areas.
It's an important time to be doing the work because local government is seeking a new role as a 'place shaper' - leading whole communities, not just delivering services to them. And you can't lead a community that doesn't trust you...