Reducing the role of the public sector: the future of services
From Future of Local Services to the Public
Summary
A 2007 report by Cipfa and SAMI consulting considers the challenges facing local public service providers in the future up to 2030. Using the contextual framework developed by DTI foresights, the authors set the challnegs and their implications in the context of four possible scenarios, which are termed: World markets, Global sustainability, Local Stewardship, and National Enterprise.
The premise upon which the report is written that between now and 2030 the public sector will have a reduced role in the provision of services to the public, and proportion os services funded by tax-payers money will also drop.
The authors consider that the world markets scenario is the most likely to develop, and that this is one in which wider social goals are considered less important than the following
- personal independence;
- material wealth; and
- mobility.
The major issues that will form an aspect of the scenario are changes in technology and the effect of globalisation, the decline of the welfare state, and the need for government to be responsible for either the provision or regulation of public services.
Impacts
The report's author's argue that it would be prudent for the current public service providers to consider this context when making plans for the future. In particular the identified trend for citizens to demand greater choice in the services available to them, and greater flexibility from those services. This will have an impact on the extent to which the public sector provides services, or whether it creates an environment where services available to the public are regulated to ensure certain standards are met, and a safety-net of service provision is available for the most vulnerable.
Related links
Lyons, M (2007) The Lyons Inquiry into Local Government Place Shaping a Shared Ambition for the Future of Local Government Final Report TSO: London www.webarchive.org.uk/pan/15454/20070428/www.lyonsinquiry.org.uk/docs/final-complete.pdf
