Future proofing Public Services - an evening with the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and CDPS

Hi this is Mike here, Comms Manager at CDPS. I was asked to write a summary of our Dolenni Digidol event for public sector leaders that took place this week but being as mental as it has been with one event after the other, I was in a bit of a head spin come Friday and couldn’t put any words together. Lucky for me, our Head of Comms and Engagement and my wonderful line manager, Edwina, came to the rescue with this brilliant LinkedIn post summarising the event through her eyes. Don’t mess with perfection I say. Have a read and let us know what you think.

LinkedIn post by Edwina O’Hart…

“A big diolch yn fawr iawn to everyone who came to our 'Future Proofing Public Services' event in collaboration with The Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales this week (Wednesday 6 March, 5-7pm).

Our co-CEO Harriet Green chaired the session and speakers included The Future Generations Commissioner Derek Walker, our co-CEO Myra Hunt and Rebecca Godfrey, Chief operating officer at the Awdurdod Cyllid Cymru | Welsh Revenue Authority. We had a room full of passionate people who are committed to providing better public services for the citizens of Wales.

Key take aways from me:

  1. The Well Being of Future Generation Act came into being following a national conversation with people 'the Wales we want'. I'd forgotten about that! People don't want short term solutions - they want us to think longer term.
  2. With the financial pressures organisations are under, this is hard. In this climate, how do we make sure we don't go backwards, cut transformation budgets and focus on short term solutions? The discussion centred around the fact that there is a misconception that digital costs more and takes more time. It may take a bit longer - but the end product/service will be what user wants! Saving time and money in the long run. Q: Would more evidence of this help orgs to think differently about it? What do you think?
  3. Are we gaining enough transformation traction - do we need a stick? The conversation touched on the fact we have a carrot, not a stick and we need to use what we have. Do you agree? The quote that stands out 'collaboration is Wales' superpower' how do we use that to harness change?
  4. The Welsh Revenue Authority's approach is really inspiring, Rebecca did acknowledge that they are a relatively new organisation with no legacy systems or structures and that their culture has been one of digital by default from the start. Have they always got it right? No, but they are always listening and learning.
  5. Great question from the Comisiynydd Pobl Hŷn Cymru - Older People's Commissioner for Wales referencing their 'Access denied' report - an insight into older people's experience of digital public services. Consensus is that it's not an either/or, we think about the 'service' as a whole - parts of which will be digital, other parts offline. This chimes with the digital strategy for Wales which states a commitment to continuing to deliver alternative ways to access public services, which will be ‘as good as those offered online'
  6. Digital shouldn't be seen as a nice to have - it should be seen as an enabler to achieve goals/objectives.

Useful links:

Access Denied: The Older People's Commission's report

Collateral update – Josh R

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We’ve got a lot in the oven, but some of our physical collateral has finally finished baking! We’ve got customisable ID cards, our brochure, fresh copies of our Trio Writing book, and more on the way including:

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