ACCELERATING PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM

The Public Sector Agreement (PSA09) has the potential to help public sector organisations to develop smarter business processes and deliver the government agenda to make progress in public service reform. Its primary objectives are to ensure that public services are shaped around the needs and preferences of users and to develop shared services that make back-office operations more efficient and save money.

This is no easy task a large unitary local authority can be responsible for administering more than 800 separate services, many of which may require customised ICT applications. PSA09 helps organisations to deliver best practice at every level while collaborative procurement of Microsoft software also helps to reduce the cost of change. By rationalising choices, and cutting the cost of procuring software, organisations gain

the opportunity to release funding to develop ever more effective public services. Microsoft recognises the change in the way that ICT can be used to improve services, as well as the growing pressures on public sector finances. ICT plays an increasingly vital role in enabling all public sector organisations to improve front-line service delivery.

“Achieving value for money should always be a priority for government, and it is never a finished process. Challenging economic circumstances impact directly on the public finances, and mean that the current drive for efficiency will be important to supporting continued improvement and investment in front-line services.”
HM Treasury, Operational Efficiency Programme:
Final Report (April 2009)