What is Pathfinder?
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The Buckinghamshire Pathfinder Vision:
‘An integrated Buckinghamshire where the County and District Councils see themselves as part of a coherent Buckinghamshire public service provision whilst retaining their local democratic strength and decision-making on policies. At the same time, efficiencies would be achieved through an integrated approach to the design and delivery of services’
The Strong & Prosperous Communities Local Government Act 2007 placed obligation on all Local Authorities to develop “two tier” partnership working. The Act also sought commitments from Authorities “to developing a radically improved two-tier approach”. Buckinghamshire was appointed as one of four Pathfinder areas that also include Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Dorset.
The core efficiencies we require would be achieved through an integrated approach to the design and delivery of Community Engagement, Procurement, Support Services, Customer Services, Demand Led Transport and Waste.
To attain these efficiencies there has been development of Programme Management and governance arrangements and continued joint working on Communications and change management.
In reality Pathfinder involves the combining our abilities and expertise at every level and in every facet of local government operation, service integration, joint back office service provision, joint procurement and stronger local working through 19 identified community areas with improved community engagement.
Considerable investment of our own resources has been made up front to pump the prime projects, a Pathfinder Director has been appointed to co-ordinate the programme, a governance structure is in place and there is engagement at Member and Officer level across the partnership.
The rewards of this are substantial: estimated financial savings of over £8.5m from a pool of identified Pathfinder efficiencies with the first savings expected in 2009/10.
For more information call 01296 383991 or email enquiries@buckspathfinder.gov.uk
Delivered in partnership with: