Below is the text from the letter issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth announcing the launch of the refreshed National Performance Framework on 14th December 2011:
NATIONAL PERFORMANCE FRAMEWORK (NPF): IMPORTANT UPDATE
In 2007, for the first time, Scotland's public sector organisations had a unity of strategic purpose with the introduction of the National Performance Framework and the 10 year vision it set for Scotland. Over the past 4½ years the Government's move to align priorities behind a long-term overarching Purpose and set of National Outcomes has seen a change in the nature of governance in Scotland, with improvements in partnership working and a strong focus on improved outcomes. New ways of working have emerged and the impact is tangible.
It is not always easy for governments to stick with a longer-term vision but the reality of the current economic situation and ever tightening public finances make it more important than ever that we maintain our clear and common sense of purpose. To that end, I am writing to let you know about some important changes which have been made to the NPF today to keep it fresh, relevant and ensure it reflects current priorities. These priorities are set out in manifesto commitments, the Government Economic Strategy, the Programme for Government and Spending Review and enables us to measure what matters in terms of National Wellbeing and success.
The new Government Economic Strategy, published in September, reaffirmed our commitment to our central purpose of delivering faster, sustainable economic growth with opportunities for all people across Scotland to flourish. The new Strategy informs the NPF and maintains the focus on our long-term aspiration of delivering a more prosperous and fairer Scotland.
What's changed?
The main changes are to the National Indicator set, which has been updated. There are now 50 National Indicators as opposed to 45. The new set replaces indicators with targets which have been superseded, reflects Government's most up to date priorities and offers simplification of wording and language to aid understanding. It also takes account of the growing interest in wellbeing and in particular the report of the Carnegie Trust Round Table 'More than GDP: Measuring What Matters', published in May 2011 and the Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services report (the Christie Commission), published in June 2011. A breakdown of the 50 National Indicators is as follows:
- 29 retained with same measures
- 9 retained with improvements to definitions
- 12 new indicators
Seven National Indicators have been removed from the original 45. These indicators either relate to targets that have been delivered or have been replaced by more suitable measures of progress towards the National Outcomes. In reflecting on the Government's priorities, the need has emerged for an additional National Outcome related to older people - ' Our people are able to maintain their independence as they get older and are able to access appropriate support when they need it'. This reflects the demographic significance of the ageing population and the Government's commitment to independent living, enablement and health and social care integration. It means there are now 16 National Outcomes instead of 15.
The Scotland Performs website continues to provide transparency and accountability based on the national priorities, set out in the NPF, and has been updated to reflect the above changes.
What next?
The refreshed NPF forms the platform for ongoing, wider engagement with our delivery partners including Local Government, other public bodies, the Third Sector and Non Government Organisations. It is a key support for focusing and tracking progress against the Government's public service reform programme, contributing, in particular to:
- A decisive shift towards prevention
- Greater integration of public services at a local level driven by better partnership, collaboration and effective local delivery
- A sharp focus on improving performance, through greater transparency, innovation and use of digital technology
To support this improvement agenda my Cabinet colleagues and I have agreed that colleagues in Scottish Government work with delivery organisations on the development of Contributory Outcomes on which progress can be measured in the short to medium term. This would help us improve alignment, partnership and collaboration and identify actions which move us towards delivery of the National Outcomes and, ultimately, the Purpose.
Further work is also being taken forward to develop performance reporting for specific equalities groups which will help to identify, for example, national delivery may require concerted effort in deprived areas, or where there is a difference in outcome across different equality characteristics, such as age, disability or ethnicity.
In the meantime, I would encourage you to visit the updated Scotland Performs website at www.scotland performs.com to see the changes in more detail and consider the implications for you and your organisation. The website provides a good source of evidence to show how we are progressing as a country towards delivery of the Purpose and National Outcomes as well as what more needs to be done. It is a useful tool to help facilitate discussions with colleagues and delivery partners on how to make the best use of the data to help drive improvement and make more informed, joined-up decisions which will deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland.
If you have any comments please contact the Scotland Performs Team who can be contacted via ScotlandPerforms@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
JOHN SWINNEY