In a new political landscape amid ongoing economic turmoil, public services in the UK face an immense challenge in sourcing guidance, support and funding. In Scotland, economic performance is expected to fare slightly better than the rest of the UK over the coming years, but cuts are still to be made.
In such testing times creative action is required to transform public services, but who is expected to take the lead as the line between state, citizens, voluntary and private sectors becomes increasingly blurred? Public services need to be maintained in the face of long term structural challenges such as job creation, environmental and infrastructural pressures combined with demographic shifts, but it remains unclear how far citizens should be involved in creating services and how these services will be prioritised in the face of swingeing cuts.
The live Q&A will feature an expert panel who will be joining the forum to answer your questions around the uncertain future of public services reform in Scotland.
Join us on Tuesday 18 October from 12-2pm, or post your comments and questions early for our expert panel to pick up.
Panel
Mark Diffley, director, Ipsos MORI
With over 10 years experience in social research, Mark has covered all aspects of social and public policy, including education, health, criminal justice and social housing. Mark now leads on Ipsos MORI's political work. @markdiffley1 @ipsosmoriscot
Ruchir Shah, head of policy department, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Ruchir is responsible for leading the Civil Society Index for Scotland, as well as the Lead Group 'futures' thinking initiative for the third sector. He is also a board member of the sustainable development NGO, Future Balance and a member of the Jubilee Scotland Campaign Board. @ruchirlives @scvotweet
Doug Forbes, director, Barony Consulting
Founder of Barony Consulting, thought leader and author. Doug's most recent publication is Achieving Commissioning Excellence. @douglasforbes @commissioningIn
Lucy Robinson, project manager: Innovation & Improvement, Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS)
Lucy is responsible for building strategic relationships and managing project stakeholders, creating and delivering projects to collaboratively design new types of services. She has previously worked at the Design Council on public sector and community innovation projects. @lucykrobinson
Annie Gunner Logan, director, Coalition of care and support providers in Scotland (CCPS)
Annie is the founding director of CCPS, a policy and practice coalition bringing together all the most substantial care and support service providers in Scotland's third sector. CCPS believes that the third sector has a crucial contribution to make to improving the quality and efficiency of public services, and in achieving a shift from acute and institutional care to early support, intervention and prevention.
George Black, chief executive, Glasgow City Council
George was appointed chief executive of Glasgow City Council in 2003. Over the last few years Glasgow has taken forward a service reform and efficiency programme establishing a number of external arms length organisations. As chief executive, George is a member of the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group and chair of the Glasgow 2014 City Planning Group.
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