News
Scottish Government and COSLA agree ‘Statement of Ambition’
Published 02 April 2012 in Local Government
On 15 March the Scottish Government and leaders of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) agreed a ‘Statement of Ambition’ that puts community planning partnerships and Single Outcome Agreements (SOAs) "at the core of public service reform".
Scotland’s 32 community planning partnerships (CPPs) bring together local authorities, a range of public bodies including the NHS and emergency services, and representatives of the private and third sectors and community groups in a bid to ensure wide engagement in public service delivery, as well as to encourage joined-up delivery.
The Statement, the first of its kind in Scotland, describes CPPs and Single Outcome Agreements – the agreements between the Scottish Government and CPPs which set out how each will work towards improving outcomes for local people – as the "key strategic building blocks…that will achieve our overarching purpose of sustainable economic growth, better outcomes and reduced inequalities for local communities in Scotland through delivery of high quality public services."
Detailed proposals, including legislative proposals where appropriate, will now be developed and taken forward following local government elections in early May.
The Statement of Ambition follows in the wake of the ‘Christie’ Commission on the Future Delivery of Public Services. The Commission, chaired by the late Dr Campbell Christie, published a report in June 2011 calling for the need for a "radical, new, collaborative culture throughout our public services" in order to meet current and future demographic, social and financial challenges.
Commenting on the publication of the Statement of Ambition, COSLA President Cllr Pat Watters said:
"This Statement of Ambition is a major step forward in agreeing ways to ensure that community planning partnerships truly take centre stage in translating public services into better outcomes. Delivering that ambition will require commitment from across the public sector, but we must all rise to the challenge if we are to grasp this unprecedented opportunity to make a real difference to Scotland's communities."
Access the related COSLA press release
Access the Statement of Ambition