Welsh Assembly local government and communities minister Carl Sargeant has announced a new framework for public service reform in the country.

Speaking in plenary yesterday, Mr Sargeant said the plans included reforming the Partnership Council, more collaboration across authorities and greater scrutiny from council members into how effectively managers meet community needs.

To help implement the plans Mr Sargeant said a ‘compact' with local government would be drawn up detailing the timeline for the reform agenda and the responsibilities of different bodies.

Mr Sargeant described the reform agenda as ‘a practical programme of action to support the delivery of improved services in a challenging financial context'.

‘To provide clarity around how public services should collaborate I have set out the footprint for service delivery. I expect this footprint to be the basis for future collaborative work between public services.' Mr Sargeant said.

‘Collaboration is vital to improvement and that is why I am reforming the Partnership Council and challenging it to provide active political leadership for public service improvement.

‘The Council will be a key partner in holding local government accountable for progress. As part of ensuring delivery there will be a compact with local government making it crystal clear what is to be done, by whom and by when.  

‘I also want to see local elected members championing the needs of their communities and holding managers accountable for their effectiveness in meeting those needs.'

Mr Sargeant went on to say the new Public Services Leadership Group – which includes leaders of some of Wales' largest public service organisations - would be ‘crucial in ensuring that the benefits of change are felt across Wales'.

Plaid Cymru's local government spokesperson, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, said in response: ‘The Welsh Government is trying to engineer a situation where councils are working together far more – but it is not fair to expect councils themselves to drive that agenda.'