Stevenson Welcomes Announcement of Aberdeenshre Public Social Partnership Project

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement of a new public social partnership that will see Aberdeenshire Council, the private sector and Cornerstone work together to review the design and delivery of support services for people with learning disabilities within their community.

The partnership is one of 10 pilot projects across Scotland, another two of which are in the North East. The Public Social Partnership (PSP) Project is designed to improve service delivery and maximise competition by ensuring that the third sector is involved appropriately in the design and commissioning of public services in Scotland and that procurement mechanisms are accessible to the third sector.

Specialists from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), Forth Sector Development and the Scottish Government will provide advice and support to help 10 partnerships between the third and public sectors design and deliver a wide range of enhanced services to their communities.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“Cornerstone already does important work with people who have learning disabilities in Banff & Buchan and it is excellent news that this partnership will help to ensure that their service is of the highest possible quality.

“This kind of collaboration between the public, private and charity sectors is an important way of improving the services that an organisation like Cornerstone can offer and I know it will be welcomed by those who will benefit from that partnership.

“The third sector has not escaped the economic situation unscathed, but this kind of partnership can help ensure that the vital services which charities provide to our communities continue and flourish.”