Friday 23 June 2017
Costing, benchmarking and prioritisation reviews into the services provided by the Committees for Education, Sport & Culture and Home Affairs have highlighted areas where significant savings could be made.
The reviews were commissioned by the Policy & Resources Committee and carried out by PWC, and the report is published today.
Gavin St Pier, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said the report identified a number of opportunities that he hoped the two committees would now take forward.
'I welcome the completion of this extensive piece of work, which has highlighted a variety of opportunities for the two committees to consider. I would also take this opportunity to thank all the staff from Education, Sport & Culture and Home Affairs who took part in this important work.
'As stated in the report, many of the identified opportunities rely on breaking down structures currently in place so that long-term efficiencies can be achieved. However, it is clear the report has identified ideas that can help deliver savings targets without impacting on the quality of front line services.
'I am aware that work in some of these areas is already in progress, but hope the two committees found the review process beneficial and use it to further examine the areas identified by PWC.'
In its report, key findings recommended by PWC for further investigation included:
- examining the potential for the Guernsey Training Agency to pursue a profit-making business model
- rationalising the College of Further Education's estate
- changing the delivery of the Apprenticeship Scheme
- developing a single governance structure for the CoFE, GTA and the Institute of Health and Social Care Services, to reduce the current practice of the three organisations competing against each other
- amalgamating the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service with the St John Emergency Ambulance Service
Both reviews cost about £358,000 combined.
Deputy Paul Le Pelley, President of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said:
'The Committee for Education, Sport & Culture were pleased to support the development of the PWC report and will be pursuing the opportunities for savings and efficiencies outlined.
'The report has acknowledged that some of the efficiencies highlighted may not be able to be realised immediately but we will continue to work to realise savings wherever possible. The PWC report will help guide and inform our further discussions.'
Deputy Mary Lowe, President of the Committee for Home Affairs said:
'The Committee for Home Affairs welcomes the PWC report, which gives us comfort that we are on the right track in respect of transforming the delivery of services for which we are politically responsible.
'With regards the opportunity highlighted by PWC to amalgamate the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service with the St John Emergency Ambulance Service, the Committee has worked closely with colleagues from the Committee for Health & Social Care, both Committees unanimously agreed that the relationship should remain with HSC, as it would better help that Committee deliver its transformation programme.
'Having said that, our Committee recognises that there must be a close working relationship between all of the emergency services, and is committed to continuing to work closely with our colleagues from HSC.
'Our Committee will reflect on the other potential opportunities identified in the PWC report and consider which can be developed further.'
