Recent years have been difficult for public authorities, and in October 2010 the Coalition confirmed the sector's worst fears. Cuts totalling £81bn were announced. This, in turn, has set public authorities the seemingly impossible challenge of maintaining service delivery with vastly reduced budgets. Their response will shape the public sector for years to come. Already we see the advent of mass outsourcing and shared services. However, whilst delivery of a service can be delegated, the duty to provide it cannot. In this environment, public authorities need to think carefully about who to outsource to, and what the long term implications of that will be.
At the same time, claims numbers are up, whether from opportunist members of the public or disgruntled employees facing redundancy. This means public authorities need to avoid short term thinking and to preserve good risk management cultures. It is no help saving money in accounting years one and two, if those savings are then spent on avoidable claims in accounting years three, four and five. In the meantime, of course, the business of dealing with current claims goes on.
Our session will equip delegates for the upcoming challenges. We will start by looking at the pitfalls of outsourcing and how to avoid them. Turning to today's claims, a full EL, PL and housing update will give delegates an insight into the latest trends including stress claims. We will finish with a session on inquests. In the media driven world of today, public authorities can be severely damaged by inquests. Delegates will learn how to avoid the dangers of this.
As always, there will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion involving what we hope will be a lively and contributory debate.
Bite Digital: Web Design & SEO - Credits
