Public services reform plans outlined
Summary
The Government stresses the need to decentralise public services power across a range of providers and sectors in order to modernise and strengthen facilities at a reduced cost.
The White Paper, 'Open Public Services: White Paper (Cm. 8145)' puts forward a comprehensive policy framework across public services which sets out the principles for reform and how they apply to existing policies.
The Paper also, crucially, outlines a range of wider ambitions for further consultation.
The Government plans to follow five principles to modernise public services:
- Wherever possible choice will be increased
- Public services will be decentralised to the lowest possible level
- Fair access to public services will be ensured
- Public services will be open to a range of providers
- Public services will be accountable to users and to taxpayers.
In applying these principles it is recognised that public services vary in characteristics and the proposals have therefore been tailored accordingly.
In essence, three different categories of public services are identified:
- Individual services – power should be in the hands of the people who use them
- Neighbourhood services - elected councils should have responsibility
- Commissioned services – commissioning should be open and where appropriate decentralised to ensure greater quality and diversity.
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