Why is this National Indicator important?
Scotland has a complex and often confusing landscape of national public bodies - 199 in total. The Scottish Government believes that this is too many for a country of Scotland's size and can lead to inefficiency, unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication/overlap within and between organisations.
Ensuring that Scotland has well run, cost effective public services is essential for Scotland's competitiveness and overall economic performance. This is even more important in the current economic climate. Making sure that the landscape of public bodies is proportionate and effective is a key element of the Scottish Government's Economic Strategy. This means ensuring that Scotland has the right number and configuration of public bodies necessary to deliver first class public services and providing value for the public pound.
Changes to the size, shape and effectiveness of the public bodies landscape are being progressed through the Scottish Government's Simplification Programme which is committed to delivering a 25% reduction in the number of national public bodies by 2011.
This National Indicator tracks and demonstrates progress towards achieving that target.
What will influence this National Indicator?
To date, changes to the public bodies landscape, have been delivered without the need for legislation. However, further changes will require the approval of the Scottish Parliament. Provisions to deliver these changes will be included in two Bills:
- The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill; and
- Children's Hearings (Scotland) Bill.
What is the Government's role?
Following the First Minister's statement on the 30 January 2008, the Scottish Government has been, and is continuing to working closely with stakeholders, directly affected organisations, management teams, staff and Unions in order to deliver the changes outlined.
The Scottish Government is responsible for the presentation of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill and the Children's Hearings Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
How are we performing?
The number of national public bodies has fallen from the baseline position of 199 to 162. This includes the reduction of the 26 Justice of the Peace Advisory Committees, taken forward by the previous Administration, but which did not come into effect until December 2007, and a reduction of 11 organisations to date, as a direct result of the simplification programme:
- Merger of the Scottish Building Standards Agency into Scottish Government.
- Merger of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency into Scottish Government.
- Merger of the Mental Health Tribunal Agency into Scottish Government.
- Merger of the Fisheries Research Service and Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency into Scottish Government (Marine Scotland).
- Merger of the Rowett Research Institute with Aberdeen University.
- Scottish Institute of Sport brought into Sportscotland.
- HM Fire Services Inspectorate for Scotland transferred into Government.
- Creation of Skills Development Scotland (merging Scottish University for Industry, Careers Scotland and most of the skills and training functions of the enterprise networks).
- Decision not to establish the Scottish Civil Enforcement Commission as a new body.
- Decision not to establish Health Procurement HUB as new organisation but bring under remit of Scottish Futures Trust.
There has been no change in the number of public bodies since the previous quarter.
Methodology
Simple count - a reduction in the number of public bodies suggests the position is improving, with any increase resulting in a worsening arrow. If the number of public bodies remains the same this will result in a maintaining arrow.
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Further information
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Simplification Programme Tracker
Who are our partners?
National Public Bodies, Parliament, Trade Unions, COSLA
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Smarter
Healthier
Safer and Stronger
Greener