Home »
Bennett asking ministers to be smarter with less money
A Cranbrook man has been tasked with finding a way to ensure British Columbia’s government makes the best possible use of government resources with respect for the interests of taxpayers.
And he intends to be bold in his approach.
That man is Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, also Minister of Energy and Mines and also the Minister Responsible for Core Review.
“The purpose of Core Review is to ensure the best possible use of government resources and respect for the interests of taxpayers, and to ensure that we are structured for success on our objectives,” explained Kim Henderson, Deputy Minister of Corporate Initiatives, in a Sept. 24 letter to all provincial deputy ministers.
Bennett also Sept. 24 released an extensive outline to all fellow cabinet ministers explaining how the Cabinet Working Group on Core Review (CWGCR) will carry out its evaluation of all government programs and services.
“Much like the members of the CWGCR, all ministers will be tasked with taking a bold approach to the ideas they submit through the Core Review process,” Bennett noted.
He identified several phases ministers must work through to achieve the goals of the Core Review.
Ministers have been asked to determine which programs and services in their ministry require direction or change, and the scope of what that change may include.
Once these programs and services are identified and refined through a detailed process, the CWGCR will present their recommendations to Cabinet for decisions. The CWGCR will monitor the implementation of these decisions and Bennett will provide regular reports to Cabinet on progress.
Ministers are being tasked with finding ways to be smarter with less money by looking for duplication and overlap between ministries and identifying programs that can be restructured to reduce costs and improve outcomes for the public.
A key element of the process is a review of the agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) that fall under each ministry. Ministers are expected to work with their deputy ministers and consult with these ABCs as necessary to prioritize those agencies with the greatest opportunities for change.
The Core Review process will not make recommendations on those services provided to the most vulnerable of citizens except to the extent that they are not achieving intended results. The overarching goal of the Core Review process is to ensure the best possible use of government resources and respect for the interests of taxpayers.
The review will include targeted industry and stakeholder consultations with recommendations expected before the end of fiscal year 2013-14 and completion of the process by Dec. 31, 2014.
“I’ve formally requested my Cabinet colleagues to submit bold ideas to the Core Review process to help government control spending and ensure the best possible use of government resources. I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify programs, services and agencies that require direction and change to protect the best interests of taxpayers,” Bennett stated.
The Core Review will examine all government programs and services – including Crown corporations, agencies, and boards with a view to positioning the province for sustained economic growth and prosperity, Bennett said in his letter to ministers.
The CWGCR has six objectives and will be making recommendations to
Cabinet in each of these areas, the letter outlined.
* Ensure that the programs and activities of ministries are focused on achieving government’s vision of a strong economy and secure tomorrow;
* Ensure that government is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible by:
– Eliminating overlap and duplication between ministries and within the broader public sector;
– Reducing red-tape and unnecessary regulations that hinder economic development;
– Restructuring government program delivery and governance models where costs can be reduced and outcomes improved for the public;
* Confirm government’s core responsibilities and eliminate programs or services that could provide better service at less cost through alternative service delivery models;
* Ensure budget targets are achieved consistent with Budget 2013 (June Update);
* Identify opportunities where further savings can be re-directed to high priority programs;
* Ensure public sector management wage levels are appropriate while recognizing the need for leaders who can positively impact the effectiveness and productivity of public sector agencies.
“We will not make recommendations on those services provided to the most vulnerable of citizens except to the extent that they are not achieving intended results,” Bennett noted.
There are four phases to the CWGCR’s work:
* Early Opportunities
* Phase 1 – Mandate Review
* Phase 2 – Refinement
* Phase 3 – Implementation.
“Separate streams of work will be undertaken to achieve the objectives to reduce red tape and unnecessary regulations and to ensure public sector management wage levels are appropriate,” Bennett explained.
“The core review process is an important one for our government. The work we accomplish in this area will contribute significantly to ensuring we are structured for success on our objectives, maintain our fiscal prudence and are well positioned for the future,” Bennett said.
“I look forward to working with you throughout this initiative as we seek new and innovative ways to bring transformation to government and ensure that services and programs are available to British Columbians in the most effective and efficient manner possible,” he concluded.
e-KNOW
