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