Power to the people as new plans are unveiled for council services

Plans are being unveiled to give people the power to plan, design and deliver Council services.

At the meeting on Tuesday (10 December) Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet will be asked to consider a new co-operative commissioning approach that will put citizens at the heart of the decision making process. People and communities will be able to work with Council staff to make decisions on services.

The Council needs to transform the way it delivers public services because of the economic climate, changes in the population, peoples’ increasingly complex needs and changing public expectations.

Council Leader Councillor Tudor Evans said: “Co-operative commissioning is all about everyone working together on the planning, design and delivery of services. We can use each other’s strengths for the benefit of the city. Rather than citizens being at the end of the process, they are at the heart of it so they get the services they really need.

“We are also now going to work together with a range of businesses and suppliers to ensure employees are treated fairly and customers receive a high quality service.”

Cllr Evans added: “Our aim is to have sustainable services delivered by local people where workers are treated fairly. This policy shows our commitment to using suppliers who prevent abusive employment practices and champion the rights of their staff. This is an important part of us being a brilliant, co-operative Council.”

If Cabinet approve the policy, when a contract for a service is planned the co-operative commissioning approach will be used and citizens and communities will be a vital part of the process.