Charity Bites: Public Service Reform In Scotland - Increasing Opportunities For The Third Sector

On 19 November 2010, First Minister Alex Salmond launched a new Commission on the future of public services in Scotland. The Commission aims to respond to the £1.3 billion cut in public spending - described by Mr Salmond as "the biggest reduction in public spending imposed on Scotland by any UK government"- by developing recommendations to improve quality and ensure the sustainability of Scotland's public services - recommendations which could prove to be very interesting for the third sector. A key component of the Commission's remit is to find ways to provide services that "are delivered in partnership, involving local communities, their democratic representatives, and the third sector." The importance of third sector involvement is further reinforced by its representation on the Commission panel, including Dr Alison Elliot, OBE, Convener of SCVO and Kaliani Lyle, Scottish Commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, former Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Scotland and former Chief Executive of the Scottish Refugee Council. South of the border, various new policies have already been introduced by the UK Government as part of the 'Big Society' concept, with a similar set of aims. In David Cameron's launch speech, he announced plans to encourage volunteers, charities and community groups to take charge of public services and described the Big Society plan as "the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power from elites in Whitehall to the man and woman on the street". Despite attracting criticism for failing to ensure adequate accountability, queries over funding and concerns that this could leave the door open for privatisation in the future if suitable safeguards are not put in place, the plans present clear opportunities for the third sector in the provision of public services. Whilst Alex Salmond took care to distance developments in Scotland from the Tories' Big Society...