Public sector reform consultation timescale ‘ludicrous’, says councillor
A TIMESCALE of three months for consultation on public sector reform is “completely ludicrous”, according to one Shetland councillor.
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s proposals for reform, Stephen Leask claimed the “whole thing has been quite shambolic” – highlighting in particular a “lack of detail”.
The Lerwick North and Bressay councillor was commenting when the matter was raised a meeting of the town’s community council on Monday evening.
Community councillor Amanda Hawick also said there needs to be more action.
“This is a massive thing that’s going to happen – do we just sit with our eyes closed and let it pass us?”
In September the Scottish Government announced plans to explore a shake-up of how the country is governed, including local authorities and health boards.
It announced plans to reduce the number of health boards in Scotland from 14 to two, with the idea of a ‘single authority’ model for the Scottish islands, where councils merge with health boards, being mentioned.
But amid plans for changing the structure of local government, it has been said that a ‘bespoke’ model for islands could be an option.
The government said public sector reform would increase efficiency and reduce duplication.
An initial period of consultation is set to take place through to the end of November, but concerns have been raised that this is too short.
These worries were echoed at the Lerwick Community Council meeting on Monday.
Leask also said one thing he is particularly annoyed about is “how little consultation as councillors we’ve had amongst ourselves”.
“We have had some meetings to discuss as a group of members, but the devil is in the detail – and there’s very little detail.”
However, a report on public sector reform is set to be discussed by the full Shetland Islands Council today (Wednesday).
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Councillors will be asked to agree a series of actions, which includes setting up a Shetland Partnership working group with affected public bodies.
There is also a recommendation to write to the government to confirm an intention to engage on the premise that the Shetland Islands Area continues to be recognised as a “distinct area for local governance and public service delivery” which retains existing strategic functions at a local level.
The topic was raised at Monday’s community council meeting as members were informed that online meetings are planned for community councillors across Scotland to discuss the issue.
But Hawick said she feels there should be more consultation with the public on the issue – calling it “shocking” given the scale of potential change.
It was also Leask’s view that the government may find it difficult to get reform proposals over the line.
Local government organisation COSLA meanwhile recently said that change in our public services is needed, but reform “must also be done at a pace that allows meaningful and considered engagement”.
COSLA said it has agreed a vision for reform to “challenge the assumption that structures alone are the answer”, arguing instead for evidence-led reform focused on improving outcomes for people, communities and places.
The Scottish Government previously said its aims for reform are to “rewire the state to help improve the delivery of public services and maximise the efficient use of public spending”.
“The case for change is pressing and urgent, requiring public services that are modern, responsive, and person-centred,” it said.
“Put simply, we want to deliver improved services, rather than simply preserve the existing local governance architecture.”
“As part of our reform ambitions the government committed to engaging intensively with partners in relation to reform of local governance.
“Our aim is to find as much common ground as is possible and reach a shared direction before the end of this year about solutions so that we can move from debate to implementation, with early decisions informing the next Scottish Budget.”
Meanwhile Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad, who is the public finance minister, previously said a tight timeline “sharpens the discussion”.
She also said the eventual solution “could be one that takes Shetland more towards greater autonomy, and giving our elected representatives more control over things that really matter for folk in Shetland”.
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