Open Public Services White Paper

The Open Public Services White Paper is in the consultation stage and SOLACE have produced their response on behalf of 1700 Chief Executives and senior managers. Acknowledging that a peace, of sorts, has recently broken out between the profession and Eric Pickles, this still seems to satisfy itself to move along the surface of the White Paper, tending to make thoughtful, conciliatory comments. Admittedly, it identifies some important points about the centrality of local government to the probable success of the eventual legislation and what local government is already doing in regard to aspects like competition and procurement, neighbourhood working and community engagement. But it avoids mounting a more ‘in-terms’ critique of the underlying assumption, and massive risk, in the government programme, i.e. the fragmentation of local government services as the sine qua non of its plans for localisation. Nevertheless, there are recognisable strategic and tactical considerations in something as important as this first stage consultation and having the response point out, a touch trenchantly, it’s local government that leads the public sector in delivering so many of the changes required of the wider public sector, was welcome. Read SOLACE's response via the link.