On 18 March 2008, COSLA hosted an Efficient Government Workshop chaired by Jonathan Sharma of COSLA and Mark McAteer of the Improvement Service. The event was attended by Finance representatives from 29 councils.
(COSLA had recently published its Framework and Guidance Notes for the 2007-08 Efficiency Statements.)
Synopsis of event
The event was organised to discuss research conducted by consultancy firm Brodies into the implementation of the Efficient Government Agenda within councils. With a focus on encouraging the sharing of experiences and learning, the event acted as a forum for further debate around all aspects of the Efficient Government Agenda.
Jonathan Sharma led the first discussion covering Audit Scotland's position on auditing efficiency statements, followed by Improvement Service Chief Executive Colin Mair, who discussed the changing context of Efficient Government. Derek Stewart then presented the Brodies findings to the group before opening the floor to questions.
In the afternoon, three presentations were given by Improvement Service Directors Mark McAteer (Governance & Performance Management), Paul Dowie (Shared Services) and Jim Kinney (Customer First), focusing on the ongoing development of the Efficient Government Agenda within their programmes.
Download the list of delegates
Introduction and Welcome by Mark McAteer
A warm welcome was given to all attending delegates. Putting the event in context, Dr McAteer advised that the day would provide financial officers working in the sphere of Efficiency Savings Management with an update on research findings and general progress across all councils in adapting and embedding the Efficient Government agenda, while directing the conversation toward what the future holds for Efficient Government. He also stressed that a key function of the event was to provide an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives while promoting the development of best practice among councils.
Audit Scotland - Jonathan Sharma
Audit Scotland was not able to attend the event and offered its apologies. However, Jonathan Sharma gave an update on Audit Scotland's position regarding audit of Efficiency Statements which is that they will not be auditing councils' individual efficiency statements and are content to continue with existing arrangements. The Scottish Government is to publish a report on the three year programme of efficiencies in Spring 2009 and Audit Scotland will review the outcomes. However, this will be at a high level across the public sector. Audit Scotland's review would include some diagnostic work, highlighting examples of efficiency..
The changing context for Efficient Government - Colin Mair, CEO, The Improvement Service
Mr Mair addressed the group regarding the implications for efficiency planning and monitoring in light of the Concordat, Single Outcome Agreements and developments following the post-Crerar review and concluded on the necessity of designing and embedding efficiency into services and partnerships.
Download Colin Mair's presentation
Improvement Service Research Findings - Derek Stewart, Brodies
Mr Stewart led the discussion by setting out the findings from a research study into council progress in addressing the expectations of the Efficient Government agenda. These findings were intended to give as accurate a picture as possible of the level and nature of the efficiency savings to be evidenced in the next emerging efficiency statement; to help ensure that the efficiency statements of all councils can stand up to external scrutiny/challenge; to challenge the robustness of the accompanying evidence base.
Download the Efficient Government Research Study, March 2008
Download a summary of the Efficient Government Research Study 2008
Download Derek Stewart's presentation
Morning Q&A
Following the morning's presentation and discussion, the floor was opened for delegates to ask questions of the panel members regarding efficiencies.
Download a transcript of the Q&A session
Measuring Efficiency - Mark McAteer, Director Governance & Performance Management, The Improvement Service
Dr McAteer addressed the group by recapping on the history of the Improvement Service's involvement in Efficiency Savings, specifically the development of the 25 high level efficiency and productivity measures. The presentation covered the use of these measures, the monitoring of efficiencies, reporting and benchmarking.
Download Mark McAteer's presentation
Download the Measuring Efficiencies Q&A session
Shared Service Diagnostic: Supporting Efficiency - Paul Dowie, Director Shared Services, The Improvement Service
Mr Dowie addressed the audience on how the Shared Service Diagnostic can support councils in identifying potential efficiencies by investigating improvements in resource allocation in order to direct effort into front line service delivery. The presentation outlined the Glasgow and Edinburgh Pathfinder projects, the potential benefits of the Diagnostic and support offered by the Improvement Service.
Download Paul Dowie's presentation
Download the Shared Service Diagnostic Q&A session
Customer First: Further exploiting the infrastructure for efficiency - Jim Kinney, Programme Manager, Customer First
Mr Kinney discussed efficiency in relation to the Customer First programme, in particular the potential efficiency gains to be made in the redesign of call centre processes and the implementation of a nationally hosted CRM system.
Download Jim Kinney's presentation
Download the Customer First Q&A session
