Written - Better Outcomes for Tougher Times: The Next Phase in Public Service Improvement

I am today publishing a policy paper which outlines the next stage in improving public services in Wales.

Public services face an unprecedented challenge over the next few years.  At the core of that challenge is the need to deliver improved services and better outcomes for the people of Wales with the same or less.  Better Outcomes for Tougher Times sets out how, in the next phase of our public service improvement programme, the Welsh Assembly Government will work with public services and social partners to transform public service efficiency and drive innovation.

There are seven areas for action set out in the paper.

1. Lining up around outcomes for citizens and communities – by concentrating resources and energy on those actions which will make a difference, aligning public services round commonly agreed priorities to achieve better outcomes.
2. Offer public services that are more responsive to citizens – by using the voice and experiences of citizens to drive change. 
3. Greater operational efficiency – through improved procurement and commissioning, re-engineering business processes, asset and property management and exploiting the potential of ICT.
4. Collaborating locally and regionally – by developing the role of Local Service Boards, regional consortia and Spatial Plan Groups.
5. Improving performance – by moving away from targets to focus more on outcomes.
6. Better information and evidence – by using an enhanced Living in Wales survey and other measures to tell us how services in Wales are performing and improving.
7. Incentivising and enabling improvement across public services – by establishing an Efficiency and Innovation Partnership and developing a stronger Wales Social Partnership.

Better Outcomes for Tougher Times will be followed up by a Public Services Summit early in 2010 to kick-start the next phase of action by partners and organisations in Wales.