CIPFA (Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy) recently held it Annual Wales Conference, a key event for those working within and looking at improving performance within public services in Wales.
The expressed consideration and highlighted theme was how we can make effective use of cost and performance information to deliver value for money service. The conference aimed to address how finance professionals can be at the forefront of change, working in partnership with service managers, to move the focus from financial and budget data to using broader information to inform the transformation of service delivery.
For us it was extremely positive to hear the Auditor General reference the importance WFG Act (Well Being of Future Generation Act) in such strong terms.
“The well-being of future generations act puts the individual at the centre of public service policy instead of the organisations that deliver the services, it’s about shaping the future of public services by providing a framework for making better decisions which could set Wales on course to become more prosperous, equal, resilient and healthy.
The question is whether all of us; politicians and public sector officers alike really understand the behavioural change that is needed for this legislation to have real impact.
All our organisations need to embrace the spirit of the act and we all need to play our part in achieving in what the legislation is trying to do in reality.”
The WFG Act is a hugely important piece of Welsh Government legislation and will require public bodies listed in the Act to think more about the long term, work better with people and communities and each other, look to prevent problems and take a more joined-up approach.
This new law will mean that, for the first time, public bodies listed in the Act must do what they do in a sustainable way.
Public bodies need to make sure that when making their decisions that they take into account the impact they could have on people living their lives in Wales in the future.
It will expect them to:
- work together better
- involve people reflecting the diversity of our communities
- look to the long term as well as focusing on now
- take action to try and stop problems getting worse – or even stop them happening in the first place.
Improving Performance
In his presentation ‘Beyond the Numbers’ Huw Vaughan Thomas, Auditor General for Wales outlined how performance features as part of the forward plane for the Wales Audit Office. They’ve recognised that challenge facing public bodies in Wales to find new ways to design and deliver better public services.
Importnt speech by @hiraethog– consulting in new yr on scrutny of #WFGAct based on ‘light-touch risk-based approach’ https://t.co/PgEks5toCH
— Rita (@RitaSingh) December 8, 2015
The full presentation can be accessed on our media page.