Public Service Reform Board & the VCS

Rationale “The Metropolitan Local Authority Chief Executives agreed...that the future of good public service delivery required co-ordination across a broad range of public sector agencies. ....invitations to join the West Midlands Public Service Board were extended to the heads of key public sector bodies operating in the Metropolitan West Midlands.” - Public Service Board Terms of Reference

Priorities (1) Provide leadership..to achieve economic growth and a better quality of life for citizens in the area through the provision of seamless public services at less cost. Ensure that, at a strategic level, “joined up” priorities and outcomes are achieved. Identify opportunities to better use public expenditure (aligning budgets, joint planning, resource allocation and shared investment agreements)  

Priorities (2) Act as agents for joined-up working and transformational change...championing new forms of delivery across range of workforces Lead on the identification and agree future pipeline interventions Commission/establish other “task & finish” groups to deliver on the agreed work programme/agenda.  

Challenges 20% increase in public service productivity would close the funding gap in the WMCA area Evidence shows that “capacity to change” is low within public service organisations Focus now needs to be on culture change, alongside increased productivity “Troubled Individuals” approach is considered key to public service reform  

What can the VCS offer? Alternative business and delivery models Ability to remodel quickly Experience of working under significant budgetary pressures Range of perspectives in each public service area

What can the VCS offer? Many good local examples of what’s working well Involvement in pre-existing public service partnerships Social policy intelligence and evidence Infrastructure in place to organise and coordinate VCS efforts