§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to co-locate local and central Government services in one-stop shops; and if he will list the places where this has been done successfully in the north-west. [80223]
§ Mr. KilfoyleA key aim of the Modernising Government White Paper, launched on 30 March, is to deliver public services that meet the needs of citizens. The White Paper contained a number of initiatives to encourage joint working between central and local government, including through one-stop shops, for example: a big push on eliminating obstacles to joined-up working; a more co-ordinated approach to property management; 'learning labs' to encourage new ways of front-line working by suspending rules that stifle innovation; and changing our approach to, and guidance on, reviewing agencies and NDPBs to include a focus on the scope for improving services through collaboration. A second round of the Invest to Save Budget will fund new projects that involve partnership working. One of the projects receiving funds from the first round is a pilot project called INFOSHOP involving the Cabinet Office working with 16 local authorities, including the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley. This is developing a computer information system that local authority staff can use to answer complex customer queries.
There are numerous examples of good practice from one-stop shops across the country, many of which are led by local government. The Government do not keep a central record of one-stop shops, so it is not possible to list those that operate in the north-west.