Public service reform discussed at Community Planning Conference
Ivan McKee, MSP and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform joined East Ayrshire Community Planning Partners at a conference last weekend to discuss public service reform and local priorities.
The event, held at Cumnock Town Hall, also marked the start of wider public consultation on the new East Ayrshire Local Outcomes Improvement Plan 2027-2030 (LOIP), which will set out partnership priorities for the next three years.
Elected members, community representatives, the third sector and other partners joined Council officers to hear from the Cabinet Secretary as well as Ian McMeekin from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who spoke about the role of Community Planning partners, and Sally Amor, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, who addressed local public health challenges.
A Q&A session with key partners and round table discussions about what public service reform means for East Ayrshire also took place, which looked into what the local partnership priorities should be from 2027-2030 and beyond.
Entertainment on the day was provided by local musical theatre group CAMPS and pupils from Netherthird Primary School.
Public Service Reform Secretary Ivan McKee said: “Public service reform is about helping to empower communities and deliver real improvement in public services. We need to tackle unnecessary duplication and overlap to ensure investment is focused on frontline delivery, with the right staff in the right roles. Some decision making is best delivered at national level and regional level while others better sit closer to communities and we must get that balance right.
“The Scottish Government is committed to a broad and inclusive dialogue on proposals for local governance reform, which will involve a wide range of partners across the public sector, and I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the conference. Our proposals are intended to provide a starting point to facilitate debate and discussion as we work to improve outcomes for the people and communities we all serve.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “Public service reform is obviously high on the agenda at the moment so we were pleased to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to Cumnock to hear more about challenges facing public services and how public service reform and partnership working can help us to meet those challenges.
“Wherever public service reform ultimately takes us, we will continue to work in partnership to deliver the best possible outcomes for the people and communities of East Ayrshire. Getting to hear from community representatives as well on the day was hugely valuable and their input will help to shape our local priorities over the next few years to make sure they meet the needs of local people. Thanks to everyone who came along on the day for taking part.”