GBP1 BN for Joint Bid to Revamp City's Services Public Sector Groups Unite to Improve Health, Jobs and Policing
Posted on: Tuesday, 7 March 2006, 15:01 CST
By VIVIENNE NICOLL
A MASSIVE shake-up in public services was launched today to improve Glasgow's record on unemployment, health, safety and economic development.
The unprecedented move will result in council, health board, police and development agency chiefs pulling together 6000 staff and GBP1billion of resources.
It is hoped people will be able to access services more easily with more simple one-stop shops. Some services will move to operate from joint offices and clinics.
It will mean that, for example, children in care or drug addicts will have a single official responsible for their case rather than having to deal separately with social workers, health officials and police.
It is also hoped pooled budgets and an end to duplication of work will make services more efficient.
Priorities will be improving the city's economy, getting people off benefits and into work, tackling ill health and improving community safety.
Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell said: "It makes no sense to have public agencies dealing with the same issues working in isolation.
"These plans will make radical changes to how Glasgow's public sector operates.
"While public bodies already work jointly on some projects, we must do more to deliver an integrated system that eradicates duplication and waste and brings real improvements to our citizens' economic and social health."
Four agencies will be created using experts from a range of groups working in the same field.
The Community Safety Unit will address city residents' key concerns of crime, youth justice, vandalism, anti-social behaviour, gang violence and general safety.
It will involve the council, Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, NHS Greater Glasgow and Glasgow Housing Association.
It will have resources of GBP1.2million and 34 staff from the police, GBP1.4m and 32 staff from GHA, 38 staff from Streetwatch Glasgow and at least GBP5.3m and 145 staff from the council.
The Community Health and Care partnerships, to be launched next month, bring together 5000 council and NHS staff with a budget of GBP750m.
They will take responsibility for children and older people's social care and health services, learning disability, addiction and mental health.
A Land for Growth unit will combine GBP5m and 20 staff from the city council with GBP14m and 15 staff from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. It will oversee the development of vacant and contaminated land with the aim of making it available for jobs, houses, shops and leisure projects.
An Employability Unit will get GBP16m and 30 staff from the council and GBP26m and 30 staff from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow.
They will work towards getting 35,000 people now on benefit into jobs, reducing the flow of people onto incapacity benefit with the savings in benefits payments going into job creation, employment and health programmes.
The report adds: "The four proposals represent an opportunity to secure major change for the people of Glasgow by reforming existing public sector arrangements in the city" SEG chairman Willie Haughey said: "Anything that improves the delivery of services to the people must be welcomed."
Sir John Arbuthnott, chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow, said: "This takes true partnership working to the next level by radically changing the approach of the city's major players."
Chief Superintendent John Pollock, of Strathclyde Police community safety department, said: "This is a great opportunity for agencies with joint responsibility for improving services to develop a modern, sustainable model of joint working where staff can fully focus on the needs of individuals."
vivienne. nicoll@ eveningtimes. co. uk
New one-stop service will have GBP1bn of funds and access to 6000 staff
Community safety unit: GBP8 Mbudget, 249 staff
Community health and care: GBP750 Mbudget, 5000 staff
Land for Growth: GBP19 Mbudget, 35 staff
Employability unit: GBP42 Mbudget, 60 staff
Source: Evening Times; Glasgow (UK)
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