Scotland's public services provide critical support to every age group, community and area of activity. They are essential to wellbeing, the economy, public safety and quality of life. However a tsunami of challenges to our services already exist, with many more on the horizon. The labour market is constricted, creating acute staffing shortages. COVID has left services struggling to catch up and keep up with demand. War has driven economic instability and UK government fiscal uncertainty suggests serious funding issues for public services. The context seems to be that change is now permanent. So what can those leading and delivering our critical public services do to cope with the challenges of now and prepare for those which are coming? How can they harness smart service design approaches and core elements of delivery to provide services which remain resilient, reliable and relevant? What opportunities exist to work differently and better in trying to do more with less?
COVID related pressure on the delivery and emergency reshaping of public services has left a headache of pent-up demand together with services in need of overhauling and re-purposing. War in Ukraine created as much uncertainty for public service planning and delivery as for the wider economy – energy and broader cost of living prices fueling demands for higher wages while in the midst of a contracting labour market. The UK government's 'mini-budget' then rocked the UK and Scottish fiscal position as the need to meet spiralling borrowing costs and look for public spending savings raised the question of public sector budget cuts and perhaps a return to austerity.
The Scottish Government's Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, has indicated that the 2023-24 Scottish Budget will be published on 15 December 2022. However the Scottish Government has already identified £500 million in savings to meet the consequences of the cost of living crisis. These early savings took place against a backdrop of an inflation rate which had jumped from 4% in December 2021 to over 10% by September 2022. Those figures alone reduce the value of the Scottish Government budget by £1.7 billion in real terms and the need for further savings seems certain. The financial reality for Scotland's public sector bodies therefore seems to carry a very pressing requirement for innovation and imagination to be applied to prepare for what lies ahead.
Where does this leave those trying to deliver services and plan for the future? What measures can be taken and what innovation explored to try to support the objective of delivering more with less?
This conference examines the challenges – and perhaps opportunities – Scotland's public services and bodies face in meeting current and future demands in an environment where change seems permanent. Against this backdrop the conference will focus on three broad themes:
Benefits of attending
Who should attend
Lead Strategist, City Region Deal
Data Driven Innovation Initiative, University of Edinburgh
Associate Director, Place
Scottish Futures Trust
Executive Director of Place
City of Edinburgh Council
Managing Director
Nuwe
Gemma Cassells
Lead Strategist, City Region Deal
Data Driven Innovation Initiative, University of Edinburgh
After completing my PhD (University of Edinburgh School of GeoSciences) in 2013, I initally worked for NGOs and in academia, pursuing my interests in the application of science to current environmental problems, and how best to communicate this to policymakers and the public. Working for local authorities, I have become an expert in the use of data driven innovation in to support public service delivery, developing strategic thinking, leadership, negotiation and facilitation skills. I use service design tools and participatory methods to co-design effective services, particularly around smart cities, sustainability and improving the use of data for decision making. My experience and expertise was recognised with the award of Chartered Geographer and I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
My PhD researched issues surrounding the use of remote sensing for mapping forest cover change in Malawi, with regards to in-country sustainable forest management activities as well as the monitoring, reporting and verification requirements of REDD+. This technical experience has given me a thorough grounding in statistical analysis and carbon accounting at local, national and international levels. My research also allowed me to pursue my interests in developing innovative strategies for tackling our current environmental challenges, and looking at the gendered impacts of environmental issues, which I explored further through both paid and voluntary work with New Course.
Diarmaid Lawlor
Associate Director, Place
Scottish Futures Trust
Diarmaid is the Associate Director for place at the Scottish Futures Trust.
He was previously Head of Urbanism with Architecture and Design Scotland. An urbanist, with a multi disciplinary background, he has worked on projects involving the shaping and implementation of change for clients in Ireland, the UK and Europe, for the public, private and tertiary sectors. He has almost 20 years' experience of helping clients make well informed decisions about complex, connected urban policy and investment challenges. He is an educator, communicator and collaborator who writes and speaks on creative approaches to making better places.
Paul Lawrence
Executive Director of Place
City of Edinburgh Council
Paul’s responsibilities include planning, housing, transport, regulatory services and environment, as well as economic development and culture. Paul joined the Council in late 2015. Previous to this, Paul was Corporate Director for Place at Stockport Council – one of the ten local authorities in the Greater Manchester city region, with a similar range of responsibilities. Paul started his working life in the cultural sector, before being appointed as Head of Cultural and Economic Development at Newcastle City Council in 2000.
Laura Van Zyl
Managing Director
Nuwe
Laura leads Nuwe Consulting as its Managing Director. The purpose of Nuwe is to support the public sector in reducing reliance on outsourced solutions, becoming agile organisations and ultimately releasing cost efficiencies that help to ensure a higher quality of front-line service delivery in all services and for all communities.
Laura is a leader and innovator in the recruitment field with a wealth of experience during her 30 year career in the public and private sectors. This has spanned the NHS, utilities and transport and in both small and large businesses, but with a specific focus on recruitment in the public sector for the last 15 years.
Her early career was spent in generalist recruitment, managing branch operations and business development for market leading companies. She has extensive experience in Neutral Vend, Managed Services and Staff Bank/Talent Pool provision. She has implemented and managed innovative, cost-efficient workforce solutions from start-up through to operational delivery. This includes leading through the initial dialogue process, relationship development in the MV/ MSP and in Staff Bank/Talent Pool workforce solutions arena.
Laura was educated in Scotland and lives in Fife with her family where she supports community and rural projects. During lockdown she returned to her running and cycling roots, finding a passion for Duathlon and with the aim of representing Scotland at the Duathlon AG World Championships in 2024!
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