Birmingham without boundaries
More than £7.5 billion is spent each year on all public services in Birmingham, and reductions in these budgets are seen as inevitable in the near future.
That is why nearly 400 delegates from private, voluntary, community and public groups from across the city came together to discuss how they can deliver better services at less cost.
The creative ‘whole area’ approach was examined at the Be Birmingham Total Place Summit on Wednesday 3rd February at New Bingley Hall, Birmingham.
Chairing the day was The Right Reverend David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, and high profile speakers included:
- Sir Michael Bichard, executive director of the Institute for Government, the former top civil servant who once led the Benefits Agency, the Department for Education and Employment and chaired the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders
- Stephen Hughes, chief executive, Birmingham City Council
- Cllr Paul Tilsley, chair, Be Birmingham and deputy leader, Birmingham City Council
Jackie Mould, Be Birmingham’s director, said: “We all know that cuts in public sector budgets are on the horizon.
The challenge for us and our partners is work on how to best join our resources so that vital public services can be protected despite those spending cuts.”
Be Birmingham, the city’s local strategic partnership, lead delegates to identify and release innovative ideas to get involved and generate cost savings.
The ‘Total Place’ approach means overhauling the separate ways much of the public sector currently works. The aim is to retain services but cut budgets, for example, by finding smarter ways to deal with alcohol abuse by better connecting the work of the council, police and NHS.
Ms Mould added: “The public are relying on us to ensure they continue to receive the right support in vulnerable areas such as housing, social services, health and education.
What we must do is align our resources to the city’s priorities at a time when the economic downturn is impacting all sectors. Yes, we have to deliver efficiencies, but we must also protect citizens during difficult times, continuing to help shape the Birmingham of the future.”
Ms Mould said that tackling complex cross-cutting issues and addressing major inequalities across the city was a “daunting challenge”, but one the Be Birmingham partnership could overcome “if we work determinedly together”.
Sir Michael Bichard commented: "As we enter a period when resources will inevitably be constrained, this project allows local government the opportunity to work creatively, delivering better experiences for people.”
Delegates at the summit included businessmen, leading councillors, GPs, leaders from health, education and social services, as well as community champions, faith leaders, MPs and voluntary sector representatives.
For more information, contact Sue Smith on 0121 675 7821 or email sue.p.smith@birmingham.gov.uk
Notes to the editor:
1. Birmingham has already been praised for pioneering ‘resource mapping’ work, the government citing the city as ‘good practice’ in a report examining public sector spending.
2. Birmingham was chosen as one of 13 Total Place pilot areas across the country, its programme consisting of six pilots focusing on: People with learning difficulties; People with mental health issues; Gangs, Total Community; Improving outcomes for children, young people and families; and People affected by drug and alcohol abuse.
3. The pilots measure how budgets can be shaped to develop new, collaborative ways of working across organisations, saving money but continuing to help vulnerable people and areas.
