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Open Public Services White Paper

What is it?

The Open Public Services White Paper sets out the government’s programme for public services over the next few years and a comprehensive policy framework across public services. It brings together a series of proposals and actions that the government is already implementing or plans to bring in over the next year or two.

The white paper offers a more comprehensive view of the government’s current and future thinking around localism and the ‘Big Society’ with reference to public services. If fully implemented, the proposals in the white paper will have a massive impact on how public services are delivered.

Policy briefing - Open Public Services White Paper

Key proposals

The government states that open public services will profoundly change the future roles of both central and local government.

The principles set out in the White Paper are:

CHOICE - means that wherever possible, people will be given direct control over the services they use. The intention is to enshrine a right of choice into law.

DECENTRALISATION - continuing a wider government theme, power is to be held as locally as possible with funding streams offered direct to local neighbourhood or parish councils.

DIVERSITY - means a wider range of providers and many less services delivered directly by local councils. The state will have to justify why a monopoly service is in the public interest.

FAIRNESS - the State’s role will be to deliver fair access, fair funding and fair competition.

ACCOUNTABILITY - Payment by Results is seen as one way of improving the accountability of service providers, as is more transparency for information about services.

Councils will need to adapt and develop new capabilities to make the most of new opportunities, including:

Much greater freedom from central government control
Devolution of national and regional functions
Funding following individual choice
Giving power and control to neighbourhoods

Policy briefing - Open Public Services White Paper

Government consultation and how to respond

The government has followed this white paper by launching a discussion with individuals, communities, public sector staff, providers and others with an interest in how public services are delivered. In November 2011, the government will set out how the departments will implement open public services, including proposals for legislation.

The consultation period ends on 30 September 2011. The Strategy Unit is coordinating a council response.

DISCUSSION FORUM

Please join the discussion forum below and let us have your views on what this means for Sandwell and what we should be saying to government in our response. You will need to login to Sandwell Trends to have your say. If you are not registered with Sandwell Trends then it only takes a few minutes to register - you will then be able to log in and comment on any future discussion forums.

There are some themed threads below that you can comment on as well as a thread to make any general points you might have. Feel free to start a new thread if there is something specific you wish to raise.