Stop Press - Future Shape - Latest briefing

The European Services Strategy Unit report on future shape is out now. They recommend that the following principles are adopted as the bedrock of any proposal.

Fundamental public service principles
• Democratic accountability (acceptance that accountability and scrutiny are core functions of the Council as a political institution serving collective and community needs).
• Participation and involvement (a commitment to user, civil society and employee/trade union involvement in the design, planning and policy making processes).
• Openness and disclosure (transparency in the policy making process and information disclosure whilst maintaining personal confidentiality and reasonable commercial confidentiality).
• Social justice (to eliminate victimisation and discrimination and to identify and mitigate adverse impacts of policies).
• Public interest (in the management of assets, physical and intellectual, and minimising risk).
• Quality service (maintain good standard and responsive services with effective use of resources).
• Integrated and well-coordinated services (to provide a holistic response to community needs and minimise duplication)

These principles are just, honest and fair. I would say that they are an excellent starting point for any "Future Shape" scheme. These principles will assure widespread support and increased likelyhood of success.