First signs of public service transformation are showing, says expert

Public sector contracts expert Clare Francis of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said that reports that the government will take steps to ensure closer collaboration between the police and fire services in England and Wales is one example of the many changes likely to be forthcoming to public service delivery.

According to The Times, the government will next month outline plans which would allow police and crime commissioners (PCCs) to assume the role of overseeing fire services in their area if fire authorities agree to the move.

The move could see increased collaboration between police and fire services with the potential for a blurring of the lines that divide the various functions each service performs, according to the report.

Francis said that possibility offers "an insight into the potential public sector transformation and breaking down of barriers between public services" that we could see in the near future.

"Many public sector bodies will have previously entered into shared services agreements to merge back office functions, such as HR and IT services, to make necessary efficiency savings in light of a squeeze on their budgets," Francis said. "However, a much bigger transformation of public sector operations is on the horizon as a result of renewed pressure on public spending."

"Change will, in many instances, involve a radical altering of the way public services are delivered, with much closer collaboration between different public bodies. It could involve the merging of roles performed by staff at those bodies and an overhaul of traditional organisational structures and governance that has underpinned those operations," she said.

Francis said that whilst the transformation could help public bodies make more efficient use of resources and deliver savings to tax payers, there are a number of challenges that public bodies need to address if thinking about transforming service delivery.

"It will be important for public bodies to communicate their intentions clearly to both staff and the public as their positive perception and buy-in to transformation projects will be pivotal to their success," Francis said. "A full evaluation of existing supplier relationships will also be necessary to ensure that contracts can be renegotiated or terminated as required to facilitate the desired change."

Francis said that politics could also play a part in decision making.

"Taking the proposals which could see fire services fall subject to the direction of police and crime commissioners as an example, it is likely that this issue will crop up during the run-up to the PCC elections next May. This is because any change to the way emergency services operate and are governed is likely to be an emotive issue for the electorate," she said.