Civil service bosses pick up reform tips in UK

(CNS): The visit by the deputy governor and a delegation of Chief Officers to London last month was “useful and relevant” for CS reform here according to the latest minutes released from the deputy governor’s office of the 22 October civil service boss meeting. The trip included discussions with the UK Cabinet Office as well the Heads of Public Services in Overseas Territories Conference hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The five member delegation of public sector bosses also attended various meetings with a variety of UK departments and agencies to discuss best practice, policy initiatives, and the impact of the UK’s reform initiatives.

Transparency, the process of rationalisation and competition between government agencies for funding based on results delivery were three of the key concepts covered by the UK Cabinet Office in discussing the reform. Improved IT infrastructure was also said to have provided a strong basis for improved efficiency and cost reduction in the UK.

The minutes reveal that although the size of the Cayman civil service differs from the UK, the discussions were still very useful and very relevant and the challenge now was to take the information and use it to advance Phase 4 of the Public Service Review.
The CO’s meetings with agencies related to their respective areas also provided a chance to hear alternative views on the reform process and opened up scope for interaction with agencies in the UK.

The meeting also included a presentation from Caroline Hastings and Roy Towler Procurement Experts from Jersey who were in Cayman to assist with local procurement and share the benefit of their experience.

See deputy governor’s meeting minutes below