National eService Delivery Standards Programme: the Consultation Process examine

"From the outset of the NeSDS programme, our consistent goal has been to translate the excellence that is already available in the local authority community into a set of eStandards that can help all councils reach the same levels of service across all their services. These have to be based on local authorities doing it for themselves or it has no value in the marketplace. We are not imposing some arbitrary benchmarks. These are what councils already do best and where they believe local government needs to go.

Clearly the Priority Outcomes and BVPI 157 are a very important deadlines in the current calendar for Local Government and we have made sure that where appropriate the minimum requirements of the eStandards match the minimum requirements set down in these. But its important to remember that the standards look beyond that – the progressing and excellent parts of the eStandards are a vision of the future for local government to work towards in the next 3-5 years. This is about culture change on grand scale as part of the overall eGovernment Programme that will drive both efficiency reductions in line with the Gershon agenda.

We could only achieve this if the local government community shared our vision and our concentration has been on making sure that all Local Authorities have had the opportunity to be a key part of the formation process. We owe a debt of gratitude Havering London Borough Council and CEO Stephen Evans for their dynamic leadership and to the other 7 local authorities who led the initial 8 service areas we have covered.

Their tireless work and enthusiasm has driven the progress of the each work-stream from initial brainstorming and work-shopping through to the tough final QA process that every eStandard has been submitted to. Along the way we have invited as many Authorities as possible to take part in the workshopping process to make this all inclusive – and not just councils but professional bodies and industry experts relevant to the service areas we covered.

In all we have just under 200 Councils actively involved in the standards process – that's 51% of all Local Authorities. If you break the figures down further we have had 94% of London Boroughs, 92% of Mets and 85% of County Councils involved.

This has been a fantastic response and shows that local government is now ready to work together – real joint working and partnership isn't just buzz word any more, its becoming a working reality.

But even this is enough. We want to make sure that every single local authority has been offered the chance to make their contribution and have their say. The NeSDS standards
are and must be seen to be a true collaboration made possible through the funding by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
So we have decided to make the first 8 eStandards available on the NeSDS website for a formal consultation period starting November 1 2005 after which the final eStandards will be published before the end of the year.

We would urge you to download the draft standards when available, consider them and let us have your feedback within the prescribed period. Its important that everyone who wants to has a part in what has become an outstandingly successful programme.

Related links:
Visit the NeSDS website at wwww.nesds.gov.uk from November 1st 2005 and be part of the team.

Related articles:
NeSDS – setting the e-Government standard for Property and Trees
National e-HR standards are almost ready, so you'd better be ready too
National e-Service Delivery Standards – and their application to HR
The impact of the forthcoming National e-Service Delivery Standards in ICT
National e-Service Delivery Standards project to run workshops: apply now
National standards are real step to joining up government says NeSDS project
National e-Service Delivery Standards (NeSDS ) programme launched by Havering

An essential supplier to the NeSDS programme is Mouchel Parkman
www.mouchelparkman.com
Mouchel Parkman Local Government Consultancy have vast experience in successfully delivering outstanding citizen-centric services gained through working with over 100 local authorities over the last 15 years. We help our clients meet the challenges faced in e-Government, corporate strategy, organisational improvement, performance management, in the realisation of efficiency gains, environmental, waste, and social housing through the delivery of innovative solutions, professional advice and practical support.