Council convener welcomes findings of Christie Commission

OIC convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, has welcomed the findings of the Scottish Government’s report into the future delivery of public services.

The Christie Commission was set up in November 2010 to develop recommendations for the future delivery of public services and has now delivered its findings.

The report states that the proposals for a “single public authority” model being developed in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles are “interesting and positive ideas, which provide a valuable opportunity to explore and possibly pilot alternative models for the governance and organisation of public services”.

It also calls on the Scottish Government to “engage positively with local partners in the further development of these proposals” with a view to putting in place one or more pilots.

Councillor Hagan commented: “The council and the Orkney Community Planning Partnership strongly believe that our community has the resourcefulness and capability to maintain public services in Orkney.  Joined-up services provide improved efficiencies and services for the tax-payer, as well as economic and financial benefits for the community.

“The Commission’s report shows that there is broad support both for the work that has already been taking place and for any future development of our proposals.  I welcome these findings and would propose that Orkney be chosen for a pilot project.”