Why is this National Indicator important?
In May 2007, there were 199 national public organisations operating in Scotland. This is, we believe, too many - and can lead to inefficiency, bureaucracy and duplication within and between these public sector bodies. The different roles and responsibilities of each organisation can also seem confusing and complex to the public and businesses trying to access public services or benefit Scotland's economy.
What will influence this National Indicator?
The Government is responsible for planning, designing and creating the framework of public organisations in Scotland. Over the last 30 years the range and responsibilities of public organisations has changed and grown with changing political, economic, social and financial circumstances. Most public organisations require legislation to set out their functions and operations and, in many cases, the organisations are multi-functional. Reducing the number of Scottish public bodies will require legislation in the Scottish Parliament and a clear view of where to transfer the functions carried out by abolished organisations.
What is the Government's role?
On 30 January 2008, the Government informed Parliament of detailed plans to reshape Scotland's public organisations to make them more flexible, responsive and effective. The aim is to empower our skilled public service staff to innovate and improve service delivery and help achieve more for Scotland. The Government is now working to deliver the detail of these plans with the organisations themselves, with staff, unions and other stakeholders.
How are we performing?
The number of significant public sector organisations has fallen from the baseline of 199 organisations of September 2007 to 168 organisations in April 2008, including the reduction of 26 Justice of the Peace Advisory Committees, taken forward by the previous Administration, but which did not come into effect until December 2007.
There has been a reduction of 5 organisations as a result of the simplification programme:
- Scottish Building Standards Agency was merged into the Scottish Government in March 2008.
- Fire Services Inspectorate - abolished March 2008 - Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue services appointed to head up an advisory unit within government to offer advice to Ministers and the fire and rescue services and to provide an independent challenge function where necessary.
- Skills Development Scotland (merging Scottish University for Industry, Careers Scotland and most of the skills and training functions of the enterprise networks) - established April 2008.
- Scottish Civil Enforcement Commission - which was announced by the previous administration but never set up.
- Scottish Agricultural Science Agency merged into the Scottish Government in April 2008.
We have also abolished Communities Scotland as a separate agency and brought its main non-regulatory functions into the core Scottish Government. Communities Scotland's regulation and inspection division became a stand alone agency, the Scottish Housing regulator. This has not led to a reduction in the number of organisations but has created the most effective structure to deliver the Scottish Government's housing and regeneration priorities.
Methodology
For more information see 2007 Spending Review Technical Note
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Who are our supporting delivery partners?
National Public Bodies
Related Strategic Objectives
Wealthier and Fairer
Smarter
Healthier
Safer and Stronger
Greener