On Board - A guide for Board Members of Public Bodies in Scotland (April 2015)

PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY AND REFORM

In your role as a Board member of a public body in Scotland, you will be required to discharge specific duties in relation to the effective governance and financial stewardship of the body concerned. These duties are covered in sections three to five of this guidance, the body's Framework Document and your letter of appointment.

As a member of a public body in Scotland, you also have a general responsibility to discharge these duties within the context of public service delivery and reform to the benefit of the people of Scotland.

The main policy developments and strategies which have shaped the Scottish Government's approach to public service delivery and reform are:

• The outcomes-based approach of the National Performance Framework
• The Christie Report and the Scottish Government's Four Pillars of Public Service Reform
• The strategic priorities of the Government Economic Strategy
• Community Planning whereby local authorities, public bodies, the Scottish Government and the third sector work together and with the local community
• Increased participation and delivery of public services through digital technology as described in Scotland's Digital Future: Delivery of Public Services
• The Scottish Approach centred around the core concepts of Participation and Co-production, Assets-based Approaches and Improvement Methodology.

The next section expands upon these policy developments and strategies, and their relevance to you as a Board member of a public body in Scotland.