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Scrutiny of public services
25/09/2007
One single body could eventually oversee audit, inspection and regulation of all public services in Scotland, according to recommendations published today.
The Independent Review of Regulation, Audit, Inspection and Complaints Handling of Public Services in Scotland, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, makes 42 recommendations to improve the role of scrutiny within the public sector.
The review outlines how public services could be given greater responsibility to measure their performance to comply with regulation and calls for independent external scrutiny of the NHS.
Other recommendations include:
- Ministers should assess existing scrutiny activity with the aim of reducing activity
- The voice of service users should be strengthened to develop more outcome focused public services
- Scrutiny organisations should collaborate to eliminate duplication and co-ordinate activity
- Cost/benefit analysis should become a routine element of any decisions about the use of external scrutiny
- Ministers should appoint one body to co-ordinate scrutiny of local government and scrutiny of the NHS should become independent
- A single national scrutiny body could be set up in the longer term
- The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman should oversee all public service complaints handling systems and a consistent, time framed and locally based complaints system should be introduced across all public services
Professor Crerar said:
"The role of scrutiny is to provide independent assurance that public services are well-managed, safe, fit-for-purpose and spending taxpayer's money efficiently.
"All the public bodies I spoke to agreed that scrutiny was important, and many were able to point to benefits. However, those responsible for providing services were critical of the current burden they perceived to exist, with many suggesting that the costs outweigh the benefits. Having undertaken a wide-ranging review, I am in no doubt that we need a more efficient, consistent and transparent assessment of public services.
"There are a significant number of external scrutiny organisations in Scotland, all with some responsibility for checking and assessing public services. I have made a number of recommendations, which I believe would cut bureaucracy, free up resources and increase the focus of public services on the experience of the user.
"I am proposing a substantial reduction in the burden experienced by providers that, in the longer term, would reduce significantly what I believe to be an unnecessarily over-crowded landscape.
"This includes a greater role for elected representatives at local and national level in the development and use of scrutiny. I propose placing a greater responsibility on those who provide services to assess and report their own compliance, performance and capacity to improve. I also want to see a more consistent and transparent assessment of the risks that external scrutiny is expected to address, alongside robust assessment of the likely cost.
"What I am proposing is radically different from current arrangements and could eventually lead to the creation of one single scrutiny body. I do not under-estimate the work that will be required to deliver it but, given the concerns that have been expressed to me, and my own view of the complex arrangements that have evolved, I believe it is right to recommend these steps be taken now."
In response John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said:
"I welcome this report. Professor Crerar has undertaken an extensive and valuable review of the processes in place to inspect, audit and scrutinise Scotland's public services.
"This report will play a key part in our ongoing work to declutter, simplify and improve public services in Scotland.
"The Scottish Government must now consider the report in full and in line with our top priorities to increase sustainable economic growth and deliver value for taxpayers money. Equally, the views of the Scottish Parliament and other key voices must be heard and debated before we can make a formal response.
"There will always be a role for scrutiny and I thank Professor Crerar for providing this report - an informed and excellent starting point for us to choose how to progress and improve the regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling of public services in Scotland."
The Review was announced by the previous Scottish Executive in June 2006 and is chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, managing partner of Harper Macleod law firm and former Convener to the Standards Commission of Scotland.
It looked at:
- The purpose, principles and role of effective regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling, including clarifying who the customers and beneficiaries are
- Governance arrangements
- How regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling can better support continuous improvement in public services
- How regulation, audit, inspection and complaints handling can be more efficient and better co-ordinated
- The priorities for change
- Any legislative or organisational changes that would be required to implement the recommendations
An interim report was published in March 2007.