20 July 2001
The associations, known informally as 'the seven sisters', include CIPFA and bodies representing chief executives, chief constables and education officers. They now plan to work together to facilitate change and to respond to particular issues.
Steve Freer, CIPFA's chief executive, said there was much common ground between the bodies. 'Despite everything that's been written and said about low morale in the public services, the managers – right across the professional disciplines – are up for change,' he added.
The four principles include a commitment to transform public services to make them the best in Europe, a call for policy making to be fused with practitioner experience, and an acceptance that there can be no quick fix.
There is also a response to the prime minister's threats to involve the private sector in running public services. The fourth principle states: 'Whoever provides public services – be they public, private or voluntary organisations – it's people that make the difference.'
David Clark, director general of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace), said the seven sisters would be encouraging the government to consult practitioners at an earlier stage. 'Let ministers decide their objectives and we'll help them plan the way of getting to those objectives rather than just commenting on regulations,' he said.
The seven bodies are: the Association of Chief Police Officers; the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors; the Association of Directors of Social Services; CIPFA; the Society of Chief Personnel Officers; Solace; and the Society of Education Officers.
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