Wednesday 07 September 2016
Steps taken by the public sector to introduce new measures to challenge the need to replace or recruit staff have resulted in savings of £700,000 to date.
In June, Policy & Resources Committee President Gavin St Pier outlined action being implemented across the public sector to limit expenditure through recruitment and overtime controls, the need to challenge any use of external consultants and deferring or halting discretionary spending.
'I am pleased to be able to confirm that the questioning and challenging of vacancies before any recruitment can commence has already yielded benefits so far totaling £700,000, which should continue to grow for the remainder of the year,' Deputy St Pier said.
'Some of the posts in question have been scrapped, whereas in some cases recruitment has simply been deferred. However, all of these posts deferred will be reviewed again before any recruitment commences, to see whether positions can be permanently removed or reconfigured.'
Paul Whitfield, Chief Executive of the States of Guernsey, said staff across the public sector recognised the importance of financial prudence in the current economic climate.
'In terms of recruiting and replacing staff, it's about finding the right balance between generating savings while ensuring we continue to offer the community a first-class public service.
'It is important that we are a disciplined organisation across the board, ensuring robust business cases are made, with the appropriate level of questioning and challenge, before we recruit or replace. Do we need this role? Can its functions be carried out in a different way? Do existing staff have the capability to take on its responsibilities? Staff should be congratulated on their efforts to date but it is crucial that the discipline displayed in recent months is maintained long-term.'
