This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Local government conference
14/04/2005
Transforming Scotland's public services must be done in partnership to ensure the delivery of quality and efficiency, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities annual conferernce at St Andrews was told today.
Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe said his agenda for better, more modern and more efficient public services was not about centralisation and that local government had a key role to play, in partnership with the Executive.
He said:
"I know that councils have much they can teach other public sector bodies about efficiency and Best Value - but they must be prepared to learn from others. This is the opposite of a centralisation agenda. It is about empowering local government, while recognising that we must work together.
"I have a big vision for Scotland - as a beacon in innovation, productivity and excellence in public services. We will do things in a distinctive Scottish way - to meet Scottish needs - but we must be able to demonstrate that we are delivering on quality and efficiency.
"As part of that vision I see a strong role for local government. The Executive's view of local government is based on a belief that councils must be responsive to the needs of the communities they serve; accountable to the people they represent; committed to effective leadership and partnership with other local bodies in the best interest of their local communities and, providers of first class services."
The Minister emphasised the key role the Efficient Government agenda can play, and will continue to play, in improving Scotland's public services.
He continued:
"Efficient Government is key to delivering on our goals - and it is not going away. I have said before and will say again - Efficient Government is not about cuts. It is about getting more out of the money we spend - both in the current spending review period and through longer term service transformation.
"I expect local government to continue to demonstrate that it is serious about reform, efficiency and improvements - and you rightly expect the Executive to change, to offer practical support and to listen to new ideas.
"There is a lot the Executive can do about streamlining bureaucracy. We have listened to concerns and are committed to reform in inspection and regulation to avoid duplication of effort, ensuring common standards and focusing on the needs of service users."
While the Minister made clear there were no plans for further council reorganisation planned before 2007, new approaches had to be considered to ensure continuous improvement in the delivery of public services.
Mr McCabe said:
"Let me be clear. There is no council reorganisation planned before 2007. I am not convinced that a one-size-fits-all solution is what we need. We cannot stay as we are while the world moves around us. This not only applies to councils but also the wider public sector. However, we are missing the big picture if we only focus on the size and boundaries of councils.
"I hope everyone here agrees that the issue is not about attacking or defending particular structures. No-one comes into public life to defend structures because we are committed to improving the quality of our citizens' lives - through better healthcare, greater economic opportunity, stronger communities and world class education. So, everything we do must contribute to these goals and the debate must be about transforming services, not structures.
"Communities and technology are changing and people rightly demand more of their public services. They expect them to be more responsive and designed around what the customers want and need. They will not put up with less from the private sector and there is no reason why they should put up with less from public services - they are the ones paying for them."