Thursday 17 Jan 2008 @ 12:14
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Moves to improve public service scrutiny
The Scottish Government will work with Parliament and others to refocus the scrutiny of public services in Scotland, John Swinney said today.
The Government has today published plans for implementing recommendations made in the Independent Review of regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling of public services in Scotland.
The Review, led by Professor Lorne Crerar, recommended a new approach to scrutiny where external scrutiny concentrates on high risk areas, freeing up delivery bodies to get on with providing high quality services.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: "We have an opportunity to create a leading edge public scrutiny and complaints handling system in Scotland. I am committed to making that happen.
"I want to see a slimmer and simplified system, radically refocusing the public sector to serve Scotland's people better. I have considered carefully Professor Crerar's recommendations, and the views of Parliament and other relevant bodies. The Parliament has challenged Government to be brave and radical, but to be careful to ensure that good practice is not lost. All agree that improvements must be made with vigour, but change must be implemented with an assurance that scrutiny remains effective so that the most vulnerable in society are not put at risk
"The Government's response to the Crerar Review shows that we are willing to be radical in reshaping the scrutiny framework for the future. But it also shows we are keen to work with partners such as the Parliament and local government to ensure that the changes are turned into action effectively - and that we make the right choices to deliver a better public sector landscape for Scotland.
"In the summer, I hope to make a more detailed announcement on specific areas of improvement we have delivered in response to the Crerar Review."
The Government response to the Crerar Review sets out which recommendations have been accepted in full, which have been accepted in principle and which recommendations will require further consideration before any commitment can be given.
Five action groups will look at:
* Accountability and governance
* Government policy and approach
* Fit-for purpose complaints system
* User focus
* Reducing Burdens
The five action groups will begin their work shortly. Most will conclude by this summer, although some specific pieces of work may take longer. The action groups will be directed by a Project Board with representatives from CoSLA, the Parliament, Audit Scotland and Scottish Government.
A more detailed announcement on the improvements this work has led to will be made in the summer.
The Independent Review of regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling of public services in Scotland was published on September 25, 2007.
Related Information
The Government has today published plans for implementing recommendations made in the Independent Review of regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling of public services in Scotland.
The Review, led by Professor Lorne Crerar, recommended a new approach to scrutiny where external scrutiny concentrates on high risk areas, freeing up delivery bodies to get on with providing high quality services.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: "We have an opportunity to create a leading edge public scrutiny and complaints handling system in Scotland. I am committed to making that happen.
"I want to see a slimmer and simplified system, radically refocusing the public sector to serve Scotland's people better. I have considered carefully Professor Crerar's recommendations, and the views of Parliament and other relevant bodies. The Parliament has challenged Government to be brave and radical, but to be careful to ensure that good practice is not lost. All agree that improvements must be made with vigour, but change must be implemented with an assurance that scrutiny remains effective so that the most vulnerable in society are not put at risk
"The Government's response to the Crerar Review shows that we are willing to be radical in reshaping the scrutiny framework for the future. But it also shows we are keen to work with partners such as the Parliament and local government to ensure that the changes are turned into action effectively - and that we make the right choices to deliver a better public sector landscape for Scotland.
"In the summer, I hope to make a more detailed announcement on specific areas of improvement we have delivered in response to the Crerar Review."
The Government response to the Crerar Review sets out which recommendations have been accepted in full, which have been accepted in principle and which recommendations will require further consideration before any commitment can be given.
Five action groups will look at:
* Accountability and governance
* Government policy and approach
* Fit-for purpose complaints system
* User focus
* Reducing Burdens
The five action groups will begin their work shortly. Most will conclude by this summer, although some specific pieces of work may take longer. The action groups will be directed by a Project Board with representatives from CoSLA, the Parliament, Audit Scotland and Scottish Government.
A more detailed announcement on the improvements this work has led to will be made in the summer.
The Independent Review of regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling of public services in Scotland was published on September 25, 2007.
Related Information
