Following May's elections, the formation of the new Scottish Government and Parliament saw the appointment of Scotland's first Cabinet Secretary for Public Service reform, and the establishment of a new Public Service Reform Committee in The Scottish Parliament.  

These mark a significant shift and step forward in the public service reform agenda, which began in 2011 with the Christie Commission, on the future delivery of public services in Scotland. Its landmark recommendation was for a decisive shift toward preventative spending, alongside integrating services, empowering communities, and cutting duplication. 

More than ten years later, moves toward public service reform in Scotland are gathering pace, driven by both an ambition for a more preventative and joined up approach, as well as a growing need to make cost savings. This will have implications for every aspect of Scotland's public spending and service delivery.  

Last year, Scottish Government published a Public Service Reform Strategy. Currently, the Public Service Reform Committee in the parliament are consulting on how the 2027/28 Scottish Budget can promote public service reform. This is the first pre-budget scrutiny inquiry to open, so it is likely to have a significant bearing on the wider budget process.  

Culture Counts are drafting a response to that committee inquiry and considering how we might play a role in coordinating and informing wider conversations around Public Service Reform. The shift in focus to a preventative agenda, and more integrated approach to public service delivery holds significant opportunities for culture, but the prospect of spending reductions and cost savings will contain significant risks and challenges. 

Core members are invited to join us for an initial discussion on this - both on our upcoming response to the committee's inquiry, and culture's approach to public sector reform more widely. We'll be joined by guest speakers (to be announced) covering a range of perspectives on the topic, and further briefing materials will be provided as soon as possible.

Please sign up via our Eventbrite, and watch this space for more details and confirmed speaker list coming soon.