Pre consultation process

Between August and October 2002, representatives of the Review of Public Administration Team and the panel of Independent Experts met with over 60 bodies involved in, or with a direct interest in public administration in Northern Ireland. These included all 26 District Councils, the five Education and Library Boards and the four Health and Personal Social Services Boards.

During the course of this engagement, many different views were expressed. The Review Team has drawn together what appears to it to be the main themes emerging from these meetings. These are recorded under the headings of the "characteristics" which underpin the terms of reference for the Review. We would emphasise that the views recorded are those of the individuals and organisations consulted and should not be taken as necessarily representing the views of the Review of Public Administration Team, the panel of Independent Experts or the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

The status and working arrangements for locally elected representatives should be enhanced.

There is a need to give a greater co-ordinating, scrutinising and influencing role to local voices.

There is a need to consider the role of and need for Public Bodies; the means of selection of representatives to these Bodies; the percentage of non-elected representatives appointed to them; and the services they deliver.

There is a need for greater clarity, co-operation and links between the NI Assembly, the Executive (including Government Departments) and Local Government.

There are other forms of accountability in addition to democratic accountability.

Local Council Representatives have local knowledge and are sensitive to local needs.

The public continues to use the Council as the first point of contact even for matters outside its responsibility.

Differences between rural and urban needs should be recognised and addressed.

The emerging model of "partnerships" is seen to have some benefits but governance arrangements need to be developed. The arrangements for District Policing Partnerships could be used as a model.

There is a need for arrangements which will encourage the community, especially women, the elderly, and young people to participate in local issues.

More decision-making and policy making should be devolved to local level.

If new responsibilities are delegated to local government, additional funding must be provided.

There were mixed views on the range of services which might in future be performed by local government.

Some single-purpose bodies were acknowledged as having worked effectively e.g. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (N.I.H.E).

Economy of scale has to be a factor in any future re-organisation of public administration.

Local government should be given the power through legislation to act in ways which benefit the local community.

The roles of the Assembly and Local Government should be more clearly delineated.

The sense of place in terms of community identity needed to be recognised by administrative arrangements.

Public Sector Bodies are confident that they deliver good services but accept the need for continuous improvement. Quality services should be a core concern of the Review.

Lack of flexibility from the centre can hinder the quality of service delivery.

Delivery of services should be customer-focused.

The concept of "first-stop shops" as a primary point of advice for the public was suggested.

Any new models proposed must be affordable.

The identification of ways in which quality could be accredited was considered essential.

There was a perception that there were too many service providers and too much fragmentation in the current delivery of services.

It was felt there was a need for joint working to achieve economies of scale e.g. procurement.

There was a perceived lack of integrated planning at local and regional level.

Locally elected representatives should have a key responsibility for strategic planning in their local areas.

There is a need to consider opportunities for cross-border working and co-operation.

There was general support for common (co-terminous) boundaries.

Locally elected representatives are currently over-stretched in providing representation for their constituents given the current number of Public Bodies and other forums on which they are represented.

Existing structural links between services should be retained where there is community benefit.

Some scepticism was voiced about the potential benefits of e-government.

Capacity building and training for those involved at all levels of public administration is required.

There is a perception that central government is averse to risk and as a result local government innovation is stifled.

There is a need to disseminate best practice across the public sector.

There is a perception that there are too many public bodies involved with administration in Northern Ireland.

Funding should be shifted from administration to service delivery to achieve a better use of resources.

There is a need to create a critical mass in order to deliver cost-effective services and better co-ordination.

Any model proposed in the Review should be affordable.

Sensitivity and responsiveness to local needs should have precedence over financial savings.

The costs of a divided society, which are unique to Northern Ireland, should be acknowledged.

Local Government should retain the power to raise its own revenue to resource services.

Cross-Community Concerns

Equality and Human Rights

Equity of Access

Scope of the Public Sector

The importance of public sector employment for local communities should be acknowledged.

The implications of re-structuring for the high percentage of women employed in the public sector needs to be considered.

There was a concern that a smaller public sector may lead to a reduction in the opportunities for women to participate in public life. i.e. through membership of Boards of public bodies.

There was a local concern that poor infrastructure compounded existing disadvantages of those on the periphery of Northern Ireland.

The contribution of the voluntary and community sector was recognised but there were calls for more explicit accountability arrangements.

There was widespread support for the Review of Public Administration and in particular the pre-consultation process.

There was a general expectation that the review would lead to a reduction in the number of bodies involved in public administration.

The Review was urged to take the opportunity for radical thinking.

The importance of good consultation as the process develops was emphasised.

There is a recognition that successful implementation would require a "twin track" approach of new structures and capacity building.

Uncertainty about public sector job security should be addressed at the earliest opportunity.

There is concern about centralisation of public sector jobs in Belfast.

There is considerable recognition of the role of local Councils and how they have continued to operate and maintain public services during difficult times.

The interaction of the Review of Public Administration with other reviews needs clarification.

Concern was expressed that the Assembly and the 11 Government Departments are outside the scope of the Review.