A unique partnership agreement has been launched in Wales between the Welsh Assembly Government, public sector employers, and trade unions. Partnership and managing change paves the way for the reform of public service delivery in Wales, setting out principles for managing changes in service organisation. First minister, Rhodri Morgan, said: ‘As we move forward post-Beecham, there is a clear delivery agenda before us, and one which the assembly government is keen to support.' Sue Essex, public services minister, echoed his sentiments adding she hoped the partnership was a ‘developing agreement', which would facilitate change and build capacity. Welsh Local Government Association leader, Cllr Derek Vaughan, added: ‘I am a firm believer in the value of working in partnership in managing change, and I am pleased to see these principles enshrined in this agreement.' A new pamphlet released from the New Local Government Network think-tank last week argued that the Welsh local government's model offered the rest of the UK a framework for reforming public services.
