Open Public Services White Paper and the Localism Agenda
Cllr Steve ElingDeputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Resources
Melanie DudleyDirector - Improvement and Efficiency
What’s it about?
• Policy framework for public sector reform
• Sets out principles for modernising public services
• Outlines types of services, requiring different approaches
Principles
• Choice – wherever possible increase choice• Decentralisation – power decentralised to
the lowest appropriate level• Diversity – no state monopolies any more• Fairness – access, funding and competition• Accountability – public services accountable
to users and taxpayers
3 Types of Services
• Individual
• Neighbourhood
• Commissioned
‘Strong’ Local Government
• Take advantage of new opportunities• Represent their communities• Champion democracy/ accountability• Actively decentralise to individuals and
neighbourhoods• Become excellent open commissioners
Implications for Sandwell
• Localism Bill
• Open Public Services White Paper
Localism Bill
Has key implications for:
• Town Planning• Housing• Community challenge
Implications (1)• Organisational Shape
• Steer Sandwell agenda– Leadership
• Commissioning Skills required– Strong Client– Manage Risk
Implications (2)
• Employment changes– Fewer staff– Employee Mutuals?
• Delivery of Council priorities
Implications (3)
• Voluntary sector - capacity• Personalisation agenda• Competition• Payment by results• TUPE and pensions
Key messages
• Principles– Policy Framework
• ‘Strong’ role for local government
• Challenging Implications– Open Commissioning
What next?• You have a key role in moving this agenda
forward for Sandwell• We need you to understand the implications
for you and your service areas.• We need you to tell us what they are!
www.sandwelltrends.info/themedpages/OpenPublicServices