Simpson Report: Local, Regional, National: What Services are Delivered Where?
In the first quarter of 2011, three key documents were published regarding the future of local government services and functions: the Simpson Report: “Local, Regional, National: What Services are Delivered Where?”, the Vivian Thomas Report: “The Structure of Education Services in Wales” and “Sustainable Social services for Wales – A Framework for Action”.
The Simpson Review included the following recommendation:
“a Compact detailing the development of collaborative and national service delivery will be agreed the Assembly Government and the WLGA by July 2011. This compact will set down a realistic but challenging timetable for dealing with our recommendations. It will also set out potential responses that Ministers could take if local authorities do not meet the obligations they signed up for. It will be important that the Assembly Government and WLGA agree and articulate what success will look like”.
In response, the WLGA conducted a consultation on the recommendations in the report seeking a “read across” all three reviews from local government and a urging that a coordinated response be sought from Ministers. Coordinating Committee was advised of the initial outcome of the consultation at its meeting in May 2011 and members indicated at that time that the WLGA should lead on the development of the Compact which should be sanctioned by the four regional boards but in addition direct discussions take place with professional bodies such as SOLACE, ADEW, ADSS and the Society of Welsh Treasurers (SWT). Since then, the Local Government Data Unit has completed its analysis of the 33 consultation responses received and discussions have taken place at each of the four Regional Partnership Boards.
Although the Simpson Review recommended the development of a Compact by July 2011, following discussions with the Local Government Minister, Carl Sargeant AM, it has been agreed in the first instance that a report should go to the Partnership Council in July setting out the “big ticket” items – covering the big service areas – to forge the Compact along with a clear direction of travel in a range of smaller services. A revised timetable has been agreed - the current plan is to have a Compact in place by the autumn and its key features will be based on a number of principles.
- Welsh Government Report – A new “Approach to regional collaboration: promoting coherence” - 30 September 2011
- WLGA Co-ordinating Committee - Update Simpson Compact - 30 September 2011
- Partnership Council Report - Approach to regional collaboration promoting coherence - 21st July 2011
- Partnership Council Report - Principles of the Simpson Compact - 21st July 2011
- WLGA Council Report - WLGA Response to Welsh Government Reviews and proposed shape of the “Simpson” Compact - 24th June 2011
- WLGA Council Report - WLGA Outline response to the Simpson Review - 24th June 2011
- WLGA Co-ordinating Committee - WLGA Consultation on Local Government Reviews - 27th May 2011
- Simpson Report - Local, Regional, National: What services are best delivered where? – March 2011
- WLGA Press Release - Local, regional and national approach to service delivery welcomed by WLGA - 29 March 2011
- Sustainable Social Services for Wales: A Framework for Action – 17th February 2011
- Structure of Education Services Review Task and Finish Group
- WLGA Press Release - WLGA welcomes the new focus on driving up school standards and attainment - 29th March