| Top Line | Scottish Executive (SE) publications inform the Scottish public of the government's proposals, consultations, work in progress and results in all areas of devolved government. |
| Facts & Statistics | · The Design, Print, Publishing & Associated Services (DPPAS) contract was awarded to Astron on Wednesday 4th August 2004. · The new DPPAS contract will run for three years from 4th October 2004 , with the option of two one-year extensions at Ministerial discretion. |
| Targets | · To review and revise the Fig web site in line with the DPPAS contract by August 2006 |
| Trends | The number of publications has risen from 197 (at a cost of £1,227,959) to 263 (at a cost of £1, 494,496) representing an increase of 34%. Production costs for 2004-05 have risen by 22%. However, the average cost per publication has dropped from £6,233 in 2003-04 to £5,682 in 2004-05. So, while we are producing more publications, we are achieving better value for money. |
| Strategies | Publications should be issued 'fit for purpose' with the public purse a top-level consideration. A drive towards electronic publications only, for specific sectors/industries, aiming to reduce unnecessary spends. |
| Achievements | The Scottish Executive has issued hundreds of publications covering a variety of topics from policy statements to consultation documents. These vary in type from four colour high quality booklets to simple black and white self-covered pamphlets. A seamless transition from the Design Print and Production contract to the new DPPAS contract was achieved through the lead in period which started on 5th August 2004 until contract commencement on 4th October 2004. |
| Illustrations | The new partnership agreement ' a partnership for a better SCOTLAND' which affects everyone in Scotland was produced 'fit for purpose', under a very tight time scale, for a press launch the following morning. This was available initially in hard copy, and is available to all via http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/government/pfbs-00.asp. |
| Work in hand | To promote the use of the SE intranet site called 'Fig', which has been developed to assist in the publications process, giving clear and concise advice on what should be done at each stage of the publication process. To promote the use of tick talk ( www.tick-talk.co.uk) Astron's on line ordering and project management system in conjunction with EASEbuy/Pecos, the Executive's procurement system. To populate an electronic photographic database that will contain logos, corporate identity materials, Ministerial photographs and signatures and general royalty free library shots and commissioned photography. |
| Next steps | Examine ways to achieve greater value for money in the production of publications. |
| Key arguments | Publications are an effective way to reach the Scottish public with government information. Access to publications is made easy through the SE internet; this allows access to government information from wherever you are. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/recent.aspx SE publications are produced 'fit for purpose' with value for money considered for each publication. |
| Key people | Alison Ross, Head of Publications, Scottish Executive Laura Curran, Communications Officer, Scottish Executive Sarah Warburton, DPPAS Supplier Manager, Scottish Executive Tony White , DPPAS Contract Manager, Astron |