Hi Dipak
I returned to a local authority a year ago after 11 years away. I think it will vary by Authority, but the key things i have noticed are:
* a much more professional and commercially focused approach ensuring a greater level of effectiveness
* a high degree of collaborative and partnership working with other organisations and agencies with LA employees working alongside NHS and 3rd sector colleagues
* public sector procurement processes are some form of dark art, but as you are NHS, you may have experience of that
* employees have a better mix of experience - both public and private sector, which is improving innovation, without losing the very valuable experience of people who really know how the governance and political aspects work
* less formality with people being respected for their knowledge and skills rather than grade or position in the hierarchy
* greater use of volunteers to enhance services where funding cuts mean that it is difficult to provide much more than the statutory services
