Local Government Service Delivery Research Articles

Stakeholder influence, local revenue mobilisation and service delivery in district local governments: evidence from districts in Northern Uganda

Stakeholder influence, local revenue mobilisation and service delivery in district local governments: evidence from districts in Northern Uganda

NEXUS BETWEEN THE ABSENCE OF A SOCIAL COMPACT, SOCIETAL POLARIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

South Africa, a nation marked by profound disparities, is deeply entrenched in the painful historical legacies of its past. The discourse on socio-economic transformation has been ongoing since the African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994, aiming to foster a social compact and reconcile the polarized society. Despite these efforts, black communities continue to face discrimination in service delivery. Daily reports of protests in impoverished, predominantly black communities emphasize the absence of a social compact in South Africa. This paper, primarily conceptual in nature and relying on secondary data, seeks to explore the nexus between the absence of a social compact, societal polarization, and its impact on service delivery in South African local government. It contends that addressing issues of poor service delivery, public protests and anti-government sentiment must start with acknowledging the absence of a social compact. This recognition should serve as the foundation for pursuing new paradigms for effective development and good governance practices at the local government level. The findings of this study suggest that the absence of a social compact is not only a result of human actions but also reflects structural issues. This absence exacerbates societal divisions, erodes trust in governance structures and hampers collaborative efforts crucial for effective service provision. Furthermore, societal polarization compounds challenges related to resource allocation and perpetuates disparities in service access, particularly impacting marginalized communities. In conclusion, the paper proposes policy recommendations aimed at fostering social cohesion, addressing structural inequalities, and promoting inclusive governance practices.

The struggle for linking strategic and front-line outcomes in local government service delivery

ABSTRACT Over the last 50 years, there has been a transition in articulating local government service delivery, from replacing output-based terminology to an outcomes-based approach. This is understandable given the move from traditional public administration to an increasingly marketised landscape. However, there is a gap between the higher-level strategic outcome lens compared with outcomes pursued by local government street level bureaucrats focusing on casework. Whereas strategic outcomes are positioned at population, target focused or place-based data, at the frontline outcomes are built on personal relationships which emphasise emotional factors. In this paper, we consider the growth of an outcomes-based approach in local government. We also discuss the extent to which the strategic and street level outcome levels can be linked, examining some of the potential mechanisms available to do so and considering whether the ongoing tensions can ever be resolved. We conclude by considering implications for academia in addressing these challenges.

Reimagining local government service delivery through the quadruple helix

Reimagining local government service delivery through the quadruple helix

Assessing Factors Affecting Local Government Service Delivery: A Case of Chingola, Kitwe and Ndola City Councils in Zambia

Assessing Factors Affecting Local Government Service Delivery: A Case of Chingola, Kitwe and Ndola City Councils in Zambia

Factors affecting effective citizen-based monitoring of frontline service delivery in South Africa

Background: In South African local government, citizen-based monitoring (CBM) for frontline service delivery is pivotal for enhancing governance. Understanding the factors shaping effective CBM in this context is crucial for improving public service delivery. This study examines the complex dynamics involving government departments, community-based organisations (CBOs) and local media communities in CBM to uncover challenges and opportunities within frontline service delivery.Aim: This research identifies and analyses the factors impacting the effective CBM of frontline service delivery in South African local government. Despite existing research, gaps persist in understanding collaboration among government departments, CBOs and local media in frontline service delivery.Setting: The study conducted within South African local government focuses on frontline services like healthcare and education across urban and rural areas, ensuring comprehensive insights into CBM challenges.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, including qualitative interviews, surveys and document analysis. Interviews with government officials, CBO representatives and media members provided qualitative data, while surveys collected quantitative insights from citizens. Secondary sources supplemented the findings.Results: The study reveals multifaceted factors influencing CBM in frontline service delivery, including communication dynamics, resource availability, political influences and diverse stakeholder perceptions.Conclusion: Addressing these factors requires stakeholder collaboration to foster trust, allocate resources and mitigate political influences. Policymakers must optimise CBM to enhance frontline service delivery.Contribution: This study contributes to improving public service access and quality in South African local government by identifying challenges and opportunities. It offers insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

Public Relations and Service Delivery in Local Government in Uganda: Assessing the Impact of Public Relations and Challenges in Service Delivery in the Case of Gulu District Local Government in Northern Uganda

Public Relations and Service Delivery in Local Government in Uganda: Assessing the Impact of Public Relations and Challenges in Service Delivery in the Case of Gulu District Local Government in Northern Uganda

Decentralized Planning and Service Delivery in the Education Sector in Pakwach District Local Government: An Analysis of Primary Schools in Pakwach Sub-county

In Uganda, the Second Schedule of the Local Government Act (1997) decentralized service delivery including education sector, but the education service delivery in local governments is still wanting in most of the country side. The paper analyzes the effects of decentralized planning on education service delivery in Pakwach district by making an empirical scrutiny of four major indicators of decentralized planning, namely: goal setting, identification of priorities, public participation in program implementation, and monitoring in primary education sector of the district. A cross-sectional study design was considered, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches; and a total of 102 respondents were sampled using the table recommended by Krejcie & Morgan (1970). The findings show that three decentralized planning (Adjusted R2 = 0.320) would account for about 0. 320 variation in education service delivery in Packwach district from which identification of priorities appears a significant predictor of education service delivery (p value=0.002, β = 0.476); goal setting does negatively and significantly predict education service delivery (β = -0.474, p value=0.002); and monitoring negatively and significantly predict education service delivery (β = -0.262, p value = 0.02). But Implementation (p value=0.852, β = -0.031) appears to be having no significance in predicting education service delivery. The study concludes that the identification of priorities enhances better service delivery in the education sector but goal setting, monitoring and implementation are not good at enhancing. The study recommends that the actual implementation of programs be supported through timely and full funding of the planned priorities.

Determinants of Public Service Delivery of Local Governments: The Case of Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

In an effort to enhance local governance and public service delivery in Ethiopia's Amhara Region, this study embarks on a comprehensive investigation into the myriad factors influencing public service delivery. It fills a critical gap in existing literature by examining the combined impact of institutional, economic, political, environmental, and legal determinants on public service efficacy. This study is significant for its in-depth exploration of local administration dynamics, vital for regional development in the socioeconomically diverse Amhara Region. Employing a quantitative methodology for a holistic view of local governance. Regression analysis used to scrutinize patterns and correlations within the data, offering an empirical understanding of various factors' influence on service provision. The findings are enlightening Institutional, economic, political and legal aspects are found to significantly and positively impact service delivery. Although environmental factors seem less significant in quantitative terms. This study advocates for integrated governance strategies that holistically encompass these various determinants. It underscores the importance of developing comprehensive policies and enhancing governance, acknowledging both overt and subtle influences on service delivery. The research contributes significantly to the field, offering in-depth insights essential for formulating inclusive, effective policies. In summary, this research provides pivotal insights into governance dynamics in the Amhara Region, offering a detailed framework for policymakers. It underscores the need for comprehensive, inclusive strategies that are crucial for improving service delivery and fostering socioeconomic development in the region. Thus, this study serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand and enhance public service delivery in diverse socioeconomic contexts, offering guidance for effective governance and policy development.

Development of a Local Government Service Delivery Framework in Zambia: A Case of the Lusaka City Council, Ndola City Council and Kafue Town Council Roads and Storm Drain Department

The main aim of this study was to establish a framework to improve the service delivery on the maintenance of roads and storm drains in Lusaka by establishing the factors that impact the quality of service delivery and how these can be implemented by the Roads and Storm Drain Department on maintenance. The study included data collection and analysis of two additional councils such as Ndola City Council and Kafue Town Council to further substantiate the findings. The study considered four factors which included service quality as the dependent variable; and financing factors, administrative factors and institutional capacity as independent variables. The study made use of secondary data which was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and followed a mixed methods research design. Data analysis was done using descriptive analysis and mean and standard deviation analysis for quantitative data alongside qualitative data analysis. In order to ensure an inclusive approach to improve the timely provision of road and storm drain maintenance in the bid to ensure improved service delivery, the study argues that first and foremost, stakeholder engagement should be prioritized. Matters should be considered on merit and based on urgency. The study further notes that locality and having the right logistics in terms of equipment and manpower available so the timeliness is a constrained factor. However, this can only be achieved given the adoption of a deliberate systematic and approved framework on roads and storm drain maintenance. The study further outlines that the framework should ensure to avoid tedious processes but should ensure to maintain high integrity of the processes through transparency and accountability. The study further finds that there is need for a clearly defined source of funding for matters relevant to road and storm drain maintenance, having a dedicated fund and should further have an emergency fund available solely for the purposes of roads and storm drain maintenance.

Quality Performance Leadership for Political Leadership at the Local Government Level in Nigeria: A Case Study of AMAC Abuja FCT

This study is of significant importance to academic researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, and delves into the impact of quality performance leadership on political leadership at the local government level in Nigeria. The focus is on the case of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Using the conceptual frameworks of transformational leadership, servant leadership, and performance management frameworks to inspire and motivate their followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes, serve their constituents and set goals, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes to enhance local government accountability, transparency, and service delivery. Through a qualitative methodology, data was collected via interviews, observations, document analysis, and review of case studies to analyze information provided by participants. The findings revealed that effective leadership in the LGAs could lead to better policy formulation processes because the Chairpersons and their team understand the needs and dynamics of their communities. Such understanding leads to better service delivery, robust community engagement, diligent resource management, and proactive development initiatives tostimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens living in the LGA. The study recommends implementing a comprehensive training and development program for leaders focusing on leadership skills, communication, and accountability. It also recommends leveraging and adopting emerging technologies to improve service delivery, and efficiency, and improve stakeholder engagement.

Examining Ethical Conduct Among Employees and Governance Standards in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal: A Case Analysis

This study investigates the crucial role of ethical conduct among public sector employees in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal, aiming to improve local government service delivery. Findings indicate satisfactory levels of ethical behavior, awareness of good governance principles, and transparency. However, challenges such as corruption, political interference, and bureaucratic obstacles persist, hindering effective governance. Recommendations emphasize the importance of ethical behavior to ensure equity, transparency, and quality in local government services. The study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative analysis with qualitative insights gathered through questionnaires and interviews.

Boosting Service Delivery through Strengthened Local Government Assessments: Insights from Uganda's LGMSD Framework

In an era where efficient service delivery is paramount for the socio-economic development of regions, it is essential to explore effective mechanisms in improving local governance. This paper dissects the utilisation of the Local Government Management and Service Delivery (LGMSD) framework in Uganda as an innovative approach to enhancing service delivery at a local level. From 2014/15, the Ugandan government introduced the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Reforms (IGFTR) to enhance the adequacy, equity, and efficiency of local government financing for improved service delivery. The paper investigates the application and impact of the LGMSD assessment as a critical component of the IGFTR, focusing on five primary areas: Crosscutting, Water and Environment, Education, Health, and Micro Scale Irrigation. The findings in this paper present how this assessment model has contributed to incentivising good administrative practice, resource management, accountability, and overall service delivery. The study demonstrates how the framework has been instrumental in identifying local government functional capacity gaps and needs for performance enhancement. A noteworthy highlight of the study is the exploration of the independent assessment and internal verification audit firms; role in evaluating the effectiveness of the LGMSD framework. The study concludes with an analysis of the lessons learned and proposed strategies to improve this approach, offering a comprehensive understanding of how to replicate and tailor the LGMSD model in similar contexts in Africa to enhance LG service delivery. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on improving governance and service delivery through enhanced monitoring and evaluation systems and provides insights for policymakers, M&E professionals, academics, and practitioners in local government administration and service delivery

Reviving Public Service Delivery at the Grassroots through Public-Private Partnership in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

The paper examines the performance of local governments in Nigeria with special reference to their service delivery responsibilities. Local government is described as a veritable instrument of socio-economic development at the grassroots and it was for this purpose that it became constitutionally recognised as a level of government through the 1976 Local Government Reform. However, the capacity of the Nigerian local governments to carry out responsibilities assigned to them has been jaundiced by the unbridled attack on their finances by higher public authorities, particularly state governments. Specifically, local governments’ share of revenue from the federation account and other sources of revenue have regrettably been annexed by the state governments, thereby reducing local authorities to governments on papers only. Using the secondary sources of data, the article examines how local government service delivery responsibilities can be resuscitated through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The paper revealed general absence of standard framework for the adoption of PPP to tap into the available huge private investment for public service delivery at the grassroots. The paper recommends active collaboration of the stakeholders in grassroots development toward developing a standard framework for PPP to restore the status of Nigerian local governments as primary providers of public services.

Linking local collaborative governance and public service delivery: mediating role of institutional capacity building

Collaborative governance has received attention among scholars and practitioners for resolving governance issues across the globe. The government of Pakistan emphasizes local collaborative governance practices for resolving complex local problems through efficient public service delivery. This research is planned to examine the impact of local collaborative governance on public service delivery, institutional capacity building and how local collaborative governance influences public service delivery through the mediating mechanism of institutional capacity building. Using collaborative governance theory and collecting data from multisector organizations in the context of Pakistan, the results of this study revealed that local collaborative governance is significantly related to the dimensions of public service delivery and institutional capacity building. This research findings revealed that local collaborative governance engenders public service delivery through the dimensions of institutional capacity building including service capacity, evaluative capacity, and M&O capacity.

Public Service Performance: An Influence of Female Leadership and Good Governance

This research aims to analyze an influence of female leadership on public service performance moderated by good governance using the context of local government studies in Indonesia (districts and cities). The findings of this research increase our understanding of the influence of female leadership, public sector governance, and performance in local government service delivery. By using 4,910 local government observation data in Indonesia from 2009 to 2019, the empirical findings of this research showed that female leadership has a positive and significant influence on the achievement of public service performance. Furthermore, these results indicate that having female leadership can help the organization achieve better strategies and goals. In addition, good governance can strengthen the influence of female leadership on the performance of public services. This research implies that the existence of female leadership supported by good governance skills can provide maximum service to the public.

Examining archives management practices and service delivery in Mpigi district local government in Uganda

Archives are the memory of an institution giving its employees an awareness of the true history and knowledge of their rights and obligations from past operations. Archives are important resources for local governments as vehicles of communication and interaction. When archives are poorly managed, local governments such as counties and cities will find it difficult to account for past operations, raising the challenge of effective record-keeping. Thus, through the use of a case study research design, this paper reports findings of a study that examined the practices involved in managing archives in Mpigi District Local Government (MDLG) in Uganda. Its population was comprised of MDLG staff, of whom 17 were purposively sampled. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, observation and document analysis. Data was analysed using interpretative methods and aimed at understanding the respondents’ subjective experiences and their interpretation of the archives management practices around them. The study found that MDLG created and kept archives in both paper and digital formats but lacked an archives management policy; was hampered by an inadequate budgetary allocation to support archival activities; and suffered from a shortage of archivists to guide archives management practices. The study recommended the development of an archives policy to enable the district to manage the archives according to archives management practices; the recruitment of professional archivist personnel to improve the practices; the training of all district staff in handling archives as end users; and that the district to digitise the archives. This study builds on the knowledge of archives management practices in general, and in particular in MDLG.

Complexities of Intergovernmental Relations in Water Service Provision: A Developmental Local Government Perspective

Water is a fundamental human right, and its provision is essential for the maintenance of the general quality of life. The South African government has a constitutional obligation to provide clean potable water to all citizens. This study explores the practice of cooperative government among the three spheres of government in the provision of water services to communities in South Africa. It also seeks to analyse the application of the principle of cooperative government as an effective tool for ensuring water service delivery in local government. Thus, to achieve these objectives, the study addresses two research questions: first, what are the complexities associated with intergovernmental relations in the efforts to provide water services to communities? And secondly, how could cooperative government be utilised as a mechanism for water service delivery in local government? This article begins by examining the literature on intergovernmental relations and cooperative government to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. A qualitative research method is applied, where interviews were conducted to determine the impact of cooperative governance on water governance. This study sheds light on the complexities associated with intergovernmental relations in the provision of water services to communities. The findings of this study recognise the need for municipalities to continuously monitor and improve their water service delivery strategies and water service delivery plans, to align with the conditions of the municipality and needs of the people. This is significant as it provides useful insights to policy makers, water service providers, and researchers in the field of intergovernmental relations and water service provision on how to address challenges associated with water service delivery within the intergovernmental relations context.

Foreign Aid, Decentralization, Local Governance and Service Delivery in Local Governments: A Case Study of Rumbek Central County South Sudan

The study focused on foreign aid, decentralization, and local administration to examine the gap in service delivery in Rumbek County, South Sudan. The study's goals were to investigate the connections between foreign assistance and service provision, the connections between foreign assistance, local governance, and service provision, and the study factor structure between foreign assistance, decentralization, local governance, and service provision. The study population consisted of 75,000 respondents, and the research style was a case study and descriptive research design. It used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to gather data from this population. The sample of 382 respondents was chosen using simple random sampling. Only 352 were considered for analysis. The descriptive analysis option of SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data before it was presented using Spearman's correlation, multiple regression, and factor structure loadings to show the relationship and prediction for international aid, decentralization, local governance, and service delivery, respectively. The major findings of the study were that there is a significant positive correlation between; foreign aid and service delivery (r = 0.728, P-value < 0.01), decentralization and service delivery (r = 0.544, P-value < 0.01), local governance and service delivery (r = 0.776, P-value < 0.01) and foreign aid, decentralization and local governance influenced 62.9% the level of service delivery. The study suggests that the county implements control measures to guarantee that funds are used for the proper purposes in the counties because research revealed that services were not worth the district budget. Adequate research should be conducted at the community level to identify services needed by the people to draw sufficient budgets for the implementation of foreign aid, decentralization, and local government.

Evaluating the Practices of Monitoring Mechanism in Local Government

This paper seeks to evaluate the existing practices of monitoring system and explore the perception of stakeholders towards the monitoring mechanism of the local government. Additionally, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses of monitoring system of the local government provisioned by the Act (LGOA-2017) in Nepal. The paper applies a descriptive research design, as well as in-depth interviews to justify its findings. Separate questionnaire schedules were used to collect information from both service providers and recipients. Similarly, a tested observation checklist was used to assess the compliance with the current monitoring actions of the study area. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools using the SPSS computing technique. The findings of the study show that local governments have not adequately followed the monitoring practices and processes. However, the elected representatives and the citizens have taken monitoring action as a positive way. It appears that monitoring mechanism has served as a tool for local governance activities and service delivery. Yet, local governments have not prioritized monitoring tools as a governance compliance strategy. It is necessary to institutionalize the monitoring mechanism for effective service delivery.