In a move revealed in the Government’s delayed ‘Open Public Services’ White Paper, the coalition Government has said it will consult on how to open up local planning services so that there is more competition between providers.
The initiative is part of plans to make public services open to a range of providers so they compete to offer a better service. Providers could be in the public, private or voluntary sectors.
The white paper, signed by prime minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg, says: ‘This idea of devolving power and responsibility applies as much to those working in public services as it does to those using them. We want people to have a choice about the services they use, and the only way for that to happen is for provision to be opened up to a range of providers of different sizes and different sectors. If those who are already providing that service prove incapable of, or resistant to, meeting people’s demands then they must allow other providers to try.’
The government is consulting on the proposals until September. In November, it intends to set out how departments will take forward its ideas over the rest of the current Parliament, including any new legislation.
From next April, departments will publish regular progress reports, setting out the steps that have been taken to open public services.
Download the White Paper at: LINK
For the NCVO analysis see: LINK
http://www.planningresource.co.uk/
Civil Society News: LINK
