Written - Social Partnership in Wales

Social Partnership in Wales is the co-operation between representatives of the main participants in the economy and society of Wales in identifying, brokering agreement on, and implementing policies and practices that maximize the economic and social benefits for the people who live in Wales.

In my role as Chair of the Public Service Workforce Forum, I have been a keen advocate of partnership working and social partnership more generally.  As such, I commissioned the establishment of a scoping group to begin the first phase of work to define what a social partnership would do and how to create the conditions for moving this forward.

The membership of the group comprised representatives from Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Wales Local Government Association, Wales Trades Unions Congress, Wales Social Partnership Unit, Welsh NHS Confederation, Business Wales and Welsh Assembly Government.  A full list of members and the terms of reference is attached at Annex A.

It is worth noting that this group represents the first opportunity for a cross sector group to consider social partnership within the terms of the definition agreed by the group.  This is a major achievement and augers well for making steady progress towards a fully functioning social partnership for Wales.  There is recognition within the group and beyond that changing culture and behaviour will be a prerequisite to creating a successful social partnership.

The group, following a series of robust discussions, reached agreement and reported to me in early November.  They set out a clear definition for a social partnership in Wales, and recommendations for developing such a partnership which they felt were both realistic and deliverable.

There is a clear recommendation that the time is right to create a social partnership although more work will be required to ensure buy-in from the wider stakeholder community.  The major advantage of a social partnership for Wales which allows for connectivity across government and drives a collaborative way of working.  It will provide the simplicity and strategic oversight of the big challenges which face Wales today.   These challenges, I am sure, will feature in the Public Services Summit to be held in the New Year. Social Partnership requires clear leadership at the most senior levels, and culture behaviour and skills will need to be addressed to underpin the process and ensure that any social partnership created adds value and provides measurable benefits for the people of Wales.

I reported on the work of the scoping group to the Ninth Economic Summit on 3rd December. Their report and recommendations are currently under active consideration and more detail will emerge in the new year.

ANNEX A

Terms of Reference for the scoping group established to consider the establishment of a social partnership for Wales.

The scoping group is established at the request of the Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery.  It will comprise representatives of the social partners drawn from business, public sector employers, WTUC and the Assembly Government and will work through a partnership model with joint ownership of the group’s work.

The group will seek to reach agreement on a social partnership approach & format for Wales and provide advice to Assembly Government Ministers on the broad principles needed to create a social partnership.

As part of its work the group will map existing structures across the Assembly Government’s remit and functions which enable stakeholder participation, collaboration and involvement.

The group will note best practice from the UK and internationally in formulating its advice.

The group will regulate its own business and report to the Finance & Public Service Delivery Minister by the end of July 2009 (later extended to the autumn).

Membership of Scoping Group

Graham Benfield, Chief Executive, Wales Council for Voluntary Action

Anna Freeman, Director of Employment, Wales Local Government Association

Bernard Galton, Director General, PPCS, Welsh Assembly Government

Nigel Keane, Senior Policy Adviser, Wales Social Partnership Unit

Martin Mansfield, General Secretary, Wales Trades Unions Congress

Mike Ponton, Director, Welsh NHS Confederation

Non Rhys, Chair, Business Wales

Secretariat:

Howard Marshall, Secretary, Welsh Assembly Government

Eloise Vincent, Welsh Assembly Government

Lydia Powell, Welsh Assembly Government (until 31/08/09)

ANNEX B

Social Partnership in Wales Definition

Social Partnership in Wales is the co-operation between representatives of the main participants in the economy and society of Wales in identifying, brokering agreement on, and implementing policies and practices that maximize the economic and social benefits for the people who live in Wales.

The most important contributors to a successful social partnership include:

The social partners will consider the strategic issues that face Wales and seek to guide institutional and organizational activity towards a coherent and connected approach in dealing with those issues.

To develop the principles of social partnership into a process for delivering economic and social benefits for the people who live in Wales the Welsh Assembly Government will, in the first instance, work with the following core organizations:

• The Welsh Local Government Association
• The Welsh NHS Confederation
• Higher Education Wales
• fforwm
• Business Wales
• Wales TUC Cymru
• Wales Council for Voluntary Action

ANNEX C

Recommendations

The group have attempted to discharge their task within the remit set out by the Minister and provide recommendations which are both realistic and deliverable.  They are mindful that these matters cannot be considered within strict boundaries and will prompt discussion which leads the group and others to make comment upon matters which may fall outside its remit.

Recommendation 1

The introduction of a structure to enhance and rationalise social partnership in Wales

Recommendation 2

Ministers and senior leaders across the civil and commercial life of Wales offer a clear commitment to a social partnership based on values of shared ownership, openness, trust and as a form of good governance.

Recommendation 3

A social partnership would provide an overarching framework for cross government working on high level strategic themes.  These would include:

•           Working across Government, citizen focus, funding and collaborative solutions

•           Education, training, apprenticeships and skills

•           Building a successful economy

•           Environment and sustainability

•           Building social cohesion and stable communities

Recommendation 4

The network of academic institutions, professional associations and other government agencies in Wales are approached to offer expert advice and input as required.

Recommendation 5

Governance arrangements are adopted to enshrine the values of progress by consent, shared ownership, openness and respect of differing accountabilities.

Recommendation 6

Any social partnership is reviewed on a regular basis, perhaps within 24 months to consider effectiveness and measure the value of any new structures.

Disclaimer

The views of the scoping group within this report are made in good faith, however the group may not be reflective of the views of the bodies they represent.