Improvement and Development Agency
for local government (IDeA)

The IDeA works for local government improvement so councils can serve people and places better.

We use experienced councillors and senior officers, known as peers, who support and challenge councils to improve themselves.

We enable councils to share good practice through the national Beacon Scheme and regional local government networks. The best ideas are published here on IDeA Knowledge.

Our Leadership Academy programmes help councillors become better leaders who can balance the diverse demands of people living in the same community.

The IDeA also promotes the development of local government’s management and workforce. We advise councils on improving customer service and value for money. We help councils work through local partnerships to tackle local priorities such as health, children’s services and economic development.

The IDeA is owned by the Local Government Association and belongs to local government. Together, we lead local government improvement.

Further information

The IDeA corporate brochure (PDF, 20 pages, 360KB)

The IDeA business plan 2008/09 (PDF, 41 pages, 861KB)

Summary of the IDeA business plan 2008/09 (PDF, 4 pages, 690KB)

Improvement and Development Agency is the trading name of the Improvement and Development Agency for local government, company registration 3675577, registered office Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ.