Conclusion

5.52 While government must be prepared to play a strategic, central role where necessary, it must also create the incentives, powers and spaces that will allow it to harness the insight and energy of local areas and public sector professionals.

5.53 This approach,  as set out above, builds on a solid foundation of good practice throughout the public sector. Departments are extending the freedoms that their staff have to innovate, and creating mechanisms for channelling and supporting those innovations so that the organisation as a whole is able to benefit. Local areas are increasingly working together to ensure that the services they provide are appropriately organised and aligned and the Government has made real progress on reducing the burdens that regulation and inspection place on the frontline.

5.54 The challenge for government is to recognise and encourage these examples, ensuring that the conditions are right for organisations, services and people to work more collaboratively to improve their local area and address the major challenges facing public services in the years to come. The recommendations set out do not answer all the questions, but provide a strong direction of travel and momentum for an inclusive, creative approach to value for money in the challenging years ahead.