Challenges Faced by Government and Trust Levels in Northern Ireland

Roger Wilson SOLACE NI CHAIR

Trust in government varies by administration and capability Welsh and Scottish Governments are more trusted overall To what extent, if at all, do you trust to ? Use the most appropriate up-to-date technology Be focused on the needs of customers, service users or citizens Take care of your personal data Take Generally do the right thing for society Deliver major projects on time and budget environmentally responsible decisions Treat their employees with respect Deliver the outcomes you want 40 Welsh Government 20 Scottish Government 0 -20 UK Government Northern Ireland Government -40 -60 Figures shown are % net trust (trust a great deal/fair amount minus not very much/not at all). Base: Base: 5,813 Online UK adults 16-75

Local services are more trusted than central government But trust has gone down across the board To what extent, if at all, do you trust to ? Use the most appropriate up-to-date technology Be focused on the needs of customers, service users or citizens Take care of your personal data Take Generally do the right thing for society Deliver major projects on time and budget environmentally responsible decisions Treat their employees with respect Deliver the outcomes you want NHS 60 40 Police 20 Local council 0 -20 Northern Ireland Government -40 -60 Figures shown are % net trust (trust a great deal/fair amount minus not very much/not at all). Base: Base: 445 Online Northern Ireland adults 16-75

Key Challenges during this term Covid response & recovery War in Ukraine inc. displacement of millions of people & price shocks Cost of living crisis & cost of doing business crisis (inc LG) Leading to urgent and increased need for support Absence of Executive Industrial relations climate Net Zero obligations The court of social media/media Battle weary politicians and staff

Who is in the village? Westminster Politicians & Civil Servants Stormont Politicians & Civil Servants Local Govt Politicians & Officers Civic Society Academia, policy makers, sporting, faith groups, anchor institutions, Governance/Regulators NIAO/NIPSO etc. Press/Media/Social Media Private Sector Third Sector

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT POLITICS POLITICS COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ECONOMY ECONOMY ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT Political Uncertainty Local Elections Deprivation Inequality Poverty Demographic Shifts Customer Expectations Pandemic Recovery Cost of Living Crisis Inflation Unemployment Climate Emergency Sustainability Waste Management Circular Economy Green Growth

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT: THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT TRANSFORMATION TRANSFORMATION FINANCES FINANCES HUMAN CAPITAL HUMAN CAPITAL Cyber Security Digitalisation Working Arrangements Service Provision & Improvement Transfer of Powers Talent Management Leadership Succession Planning Industrial Relations Organisational Cultures Efficiency Value for Money External Funding

The PRIVATE SECTOR PRIVATE SECTORcan help Northern Ireland s public services by easing demand and delivering faster But the public worry about accountability Able to deliver services faster 33% Reduces the pressure and demand on public services 33% Top five perceived advantages What do you think the main advantages and disadvantages are of private sector companies having a role in supporting the delivery of public services? Higher quality services 24% Will encourage private sector companies to make a difference to society 24% Better use of technology/innovative approaches 22% Private sector support for public services Less accountability to the public 41% Top five perceived disadvantages Will encourage a two-tier system of public services 39% There is a risk the private sector might decide to stop providing service 37% Will be worse value for tax-payers money / private sector overcharging 28% Lower quality services 26% Base: Base: 445 Online Northern Ireland adults 16-75

CHARITIES CHARITIES can make a difference and reduce pressure by working with Northern Ireland s local services But the public worry about stability Will encourage charities to make a difference to society 38% Reduces the pressure and demand on public services 38% Top five perceived advantages What do you think the main advantages and disadvantages are of charities having a role in supporting the delivery of public services? Will be better value for taxpayers' money 27% Better customer service 23% Able to deliver services faster 22% Charity support for public services There is a risk charities might decide to stop providing service 32% Less accountability to the public 28% Top five perceived disadvantages Lack of expertise in managing public services 28% Lower quality services 21% Will encourage a two-tier system of public services 21% Base: Base: 445 Online Northern Ireland adults 16-75

SOLACE NI: PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE FUTURE SOLACE NI: PRIORITY AREAS FOR THE FUTURE FINANCIAL RESILIENCE TALENT MANAGEMENT SERVICE IMPROVEMENT TRANSFER OF POWERS EOCONOMIC WELLBEING POVERTY & DEPRIVATION CLIMATE EMERGENCY COMMUNITY CAPACITY THE WAY WE WORK THE WAY WE WORK Collaborate with stakeholders to make a difference Be the influential, collective voice of local government Demonstrate leadership and expertise

Where will we be in 10 years? Re-invented places physical & digital The infrastructure we need to compete & thrive Empowered sustainable local communities with capacity to generate solutions to local issues Reduced Inequalities Net Zero good progression Security food, energy, water, cyber Opportunity, hope & optimism

It takes the whole village!