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Introduction
1. This Accord sets out the basis in principle for joint working and co-operation, between COSLA, acting on behalf of Scottish local authorities, The Pension Service and the Scottish Executive in the delivery of improved benefits services to pensioners. The exact nature of any such joint working/co-operation will be a matter for individual agreement between separate local authorities (or groups of authorities working together) and The Pension Service.
Background
2. The Accord offers an opportunity for the Scottish Executive, local authorities, and The Pension Service to work together to eradicate pensioner poverty, by ensuring that pensioners receive all the benefits and services to which they are entitled. This not only supports the commitment to improve the lives of older people but also the shared priorities to promote economic growth and reduce inequalities.
3. COSLA, the Pension Service and the Scottish Executive are committed to accessible public services which are of the highest possible quality and which are designed and delivered around the needs of individuals and the communities within which they live. They are already committed through a range of policies to developing joint working in ways which benefit service users through making access to services easier and more responsive to individuals' needs and cutting out duplication. The Accord offers the potential for further improvement in particular in tackling pensioner poverty.
4. The Pension Service provides a local network of information and signposting services to inform customers how to contact The Pension Service. These have been and will continue to be developed in consultation with local authorities. While most transactions are handled through the regional centres there are some customers who are unable to make effective use of the phone, post or Internet. The Pension Service aims to ensure there is a local service for face-to-face transactions, undertaking home visits where necessary.
5. Local authorities have a continuing and important role as advice providers, with particular expertise in promoting take-up of entitlements and co-ordinating services to meet local needs. This role was recognised in planning for The Pension Service.
Objectives of the Accord
6. These objectives are:
- providing holistic, customer-focused services to promote well-being and social inclusion for all;
- ensuring that the minority of older people with acute needs have those needs met;
- improving access to services for older people, particularly socially excluded groups or individuals in the location in which they live;
- developing better integrated services for older people by building more effective strategic and operational partnerships between existing organisations;
- helping to close the opportunity gap.
Partnership principles
7. These principles are to:
- Put older people and their needs at the heart of the partnership;
- Recognise older people as citizens with rights and responsibilities;
- Commit to developing good practice in working together;
- Ensure open and accurate communication between the parties.
8. How will partnerships operate? They will:
- be based on equality, respecting common objectives to meet shared aims;
- embody the principles and procedures set out in the "partnership framework" between the Executive and local government, and the concordat between the Department for Work and Pensions and the Executive;
- build on past experience such as Joint Futures, and the Better Government for Older People Programme;
- have regard to local government organisational and operational structures in Scotland.
Implementation
9. Where local authorities choose to adopt the Accord, Memoranda of Understanding ( MOU) and Service Level Agreements ( SLA) will be developed with local authorities according to the need identified by the local authority/group of authorities and by the Pension Service. These agreements, where implemented, will set out the lawful authority to carry out partner functions on an 'agent' basis ( MOU) along with governance and management arrangements for joint working
10. This Accord represents an overarching agreement that may be amended if necessary with the agreement of the parties to enable further development work.
Communications
11. COSLA, acting on behalf of Scottish local authorities, The Pension Service, the Scottish Executive will make full use of existing arrangements for communication between them, and in line with existing bilateral agreements as well as this Accord will keep each other informed and regularly updated about relevant policy or operational changes.
Review
12. The operation of this Accord will be subject to regular review.
Note: The importance of the existence of independent advice and advocacy services is recognised. However, this Accord is not intended to include the provision of independent advice and advocacy for pensioners.
Signatories:
Nicola Munro
Secretary Development Department - Scottish Executive
John MacPhail
Local Service Group Manager Scotland - Pension Service
Alan McKeown
Team Leader - Health & Social Care Team
Contacts
Scottish Executive - Fiona Hird, Scottish Executive
2F-(S)
Victoria Quay
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
0131 244 1834
fiona.hird@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
The Pension Service - John Macphail, Pension Service
DWP
417 Main Street
Bellshill
ML4 1HU
0131 476 6654
john.macphail@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk
CoSLA - Sylvia Murray - COSLA
Roseberry House
9 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5XZ
0131 474 9251
sylvia@cosla.gov.uk