« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
Evaluation of Responses to Consultation on Best Value in the Wider Public Sector
5. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Specific comments were received from respondents who do not form part of the Accountable Officer framework established by the Scottish Executive but have an interest in the wider rollout of Best Value. Responses were received the following organisations:
- Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)
- UNISON Scotland
- Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA)
- Outright Scotland
- Aberdeen City Council
The main comments have been categorised below and should be taken into account as supplementary information to inform future developments. The responses received from STUC are offered as the result of a comprehensive consultation mechanism within this organisation but it is unclear whether the views of the other organisations are expressed as the result of further discussions.
5.1 GUIDANCE CLARITY
There is concern from STUC and the SSTA that the application of Best Value principles to education is at variance with their policies. Both organisations claimed that the Guidance had not taken into account previous observations and criticisms.
It was argued that the Guidance is too permissive, requires to be more prescriptive in certain areas, and needs further discussion and clarification of fair employment practices, sustainable development, responsiveness and consultation, performance management and joint partnership working arrangements with Trade Unions. Explicit disclosure of further information was advocated for consistency and uniformity of approach in balance with the permissive nature of the Guidance.
It was suggested that the Guidance has an implicitly financial tone embedded within the language used and that this should be revisited. Examples of this include explicit reference to financial governance and financial stewardship. It was suggested that the classification of financial resources and 'other' resources evidenced a lack of commitment to staffing issues as separate considerations.
Additional areas for discussion included the need to accurately define the different stakeholder groups in terms of citizens and customers, and widening the Best Value requirements and principles further to include contractors who provide services to public sector organisations.
Outright Scotland wished to stress the need to further define Equal Opportunities to make specific reference to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) populations in accordance with Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998 as Equal Opportunities was often regarded as having reference to race, disability and gender issues only.
Aberdeen City Council were extremely positive about the utility of the Guidance in helping organisations prepare for Best Value and the provision of straightforward and comprehensive information.
5.2 INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKS
It was suggested that the guidance should include explicit recognition of the STUC/ Scottish Executive Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Staffing Protocol and key associated principles. STUC also made explicit reference to the NHS Staff Governance Standards.
5.3 SELF-ASSESSMENT APPROACH
The Trade Union organisations expressed fundamental concerns around the promotion of self-assessment tools and techniques and the delivery focus being pursued on a pure outcome basis. They wished to see acknowledgement that the detail of the processes is not irrelevant and that an appropriate balance of focus is required for pure Best Value to be achieved.
5.4 AUDIT, REGULATION AND SANCTIONS POLICY
The Trade Unions requested that the Scottish Executive arrange for scrutiny or audit of adherence to a Duty of Best Value by public sector organizations. They highlight the danger that the principles and duty may be ignored in the absence of requirements or controls.
5.5 SUMMARY
It was also identified as absolutely critical that the STUC and Unison Scotland are fully engaged in the rollout of Best Value throughout the wider public sector, and that they have an input into the methods of ongoing support that are established.
The involvement of additional special interest groups should be encouraged but the Trade Unions argued that in particular they are key players in the successful implementation and delivery of Best Value.
« Previous | Contents | Next »