This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6166784.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Big shake-up in public services Big shake-up in public services
(9 minutes later)
The Welsh Assembly Government is to create a series of new groups to help organisation which deliver public services to work more closely together.The Welsh Assembly Government is to create a series of new groups to help organisation which deliver public services to work more closely together.
Local Service Boards will be in charge of directing services that involve a number of different bodies.Local Service Boards will be in charge of directing services that involve a number of different bodies.
Ministers have been told that services in Wales from rubbish collecting to care for elderly people are delivered in an inefficient and patchy way.Ministers have been told that services in Wales from rubbish collecting to care for elderly people are delivered in an inefficient and patchy way.
They have promised changes "on an unprecedented scale".They have promised changes "on an unprecedented scale".
The announcement is in response to a report published in July by Sir Jeremy Beecham, a former chairman of the Local Government Association.The announcement is in response to a report published in July by Sir Jeremy Beecham, a former chairman of the Local Government Association.
From policing to hospitals and from schools to rubbish collection, public services are paid for with public money and delivered by public bodies like local councils, health boards and police authorities.From policing to hospitals and from schools to rubbish collection, public services are paid for with public money and delivered by public bodies like local councils, health boards and police authorities.
'Red tape' 'Clinging on'
In July, Sir Jeremy published his report into the way these services are delivered in Wales.In July, Sir Jeremy published his report into the way these services are delivered in Wales.
In his report he said too much red tape and not enough working together had led to a patchy record of delivery in the services provided by local councils, local health boards and police authorities.In his report he said too much red tape and not enough working together had led to a patchy record of delivery in the services provided by local councils, local health boards and police authorities.
Speaking ahead of the assembly government's response on Tuesday, Sir Jeremy told BBC Radio Wales that he wanted to see commitment from the assembly government and other organisations to collaborate effectively and "build in challenge" to their working practices.Speaking ahead of the assembly government's response on Tuesday, Sir Jeremy told BBC Radio Wales that he wanted to see commitment from the assembly government and other organisations to collaborate effectively and "build in challenge" to their working practices.
He said public services were overly complicated, suffered from skill shortages and a "cultural problem" about collaboration.He said public services were overly complicated, suffered from skill shortages and a "cultural problem" about collaboration.
BEECHAM RECOMMENDATIONS Reducing bureaucracy, simplifying grant regimes, less inspection and regulationMuch more joint workingNo major reorganisation of structures but review in 2011Willingness to embrace "mixed" provision including public, private and not-for-profit sectorsEnhanced role for scrutiny in the assembly and local government Piloting contracts between the assembly government and partnerships of local organisationsManaging performance better, rewarding good performance and intervening earlier when neededRedress where service failure occursBEECHAM RECOMMENDATIONS Reducing bureaucracy, simplifying grant regimes, less inspection and regulationMuch more joint workingNo major reorganisation of structures but review in 2011Willingness to embrace "mixed" provision including public, private and not-for-profit sectorsEnhanced role for scrutiny in the assembly and local government Piloting contracts between the assembly government and partnerships of local organisationsManaging performance better, rewarding good performance and intervening earlier when neededRedress where service failure occurs
"Providers of public services can be rather defensive, rather looking after their own patch with insufficient delivery of the kinds of personalised services [people] really need," he said."Providers of public services can be rather defensive, rather looking after their own patch with insufficient delivery of the kinds of personalised services [people] really need," he said.
He added that he wanted to see public bodies pooling budgets and responsibilities at a local level to extend their range of services, with a role for the private sector where relevant.He added that he wanted to see public bodies pooling budgets and responsibilities at a local level to extend their range of services, with a role for the private sector where relevant.
He said: "It's necessary to make the Welsh pound go further in the provision of services."He said: "It's necessary to make the Welsh pound go further in the provision of services."
But he said the public also had to recognise that familiar, local public services may need to go in order to obtain a more effective service in its place.But he said the public also had to recognise that familiar, local public services may need to go in order to obtain a more effective service in its place.
He said: "People in the community have to recognise that opportunities are being lost. Clinging on to small school six-forms, clinging on the every last hospital bed, may actually prevent a better service being provided.He said: "People in the community have to recognise that opportunities are being lost. Clinging on to small school six-forms, clinging on the every last hospital bed, may actually prevent a better service being provided.
"Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom needs to face up to the kind of choices that will actually lead to better services, even if they are not quite in the same familiar places that we currently enjoy.""Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom needs to face up to the kind of choices that will actually lead to better services, even if they are not quite in the same familiar places that we currently enjoy."
Joe Hudson, chairman of the Association of Directors of Social Services in Wales, said the organisation broadly supported the recommendations and welcomed the view that a local government reorganisation was not appropriate.Joe Hudson, chairman of the Association of Directors of Social Services in Wales, said the organisation broadly supported the recommendations and welcomed the view that a local government reorganisation was not appropriate.
The assembly government is due to announce its response to the report and although big changes are expected, a wholesale shake-up of local councils is not thought to be planned.The assembly government is due to announce its response to the report and although big changes are expected, a wholesale shake-up of local councils is not thought to be planned.