the work of the public administration select committee (pasc)
DESCRIPTION
The work of the Public Administration Select Committee (PASC). Bernard Jenkin MP. A very short history. Established in 1997 Combined the remits of two committees A committee on the Ombudsman A committee on public service Chaired by Rhodri Morgan (1997-1999) Tony Wright (1999-2010) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
A very short history
• Established in 1997• Combined the remits of two committees– A committee on the Ombudsman– A committee on public service
• Chaired by– Rhodri Morgan (1997-1999)– Tony Wright (1999-2010)– Bernard Jenkin (2010 to date)
PASC’s remit
• “to examine the reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Health Service Commissioner for England” (i.e. the ‘Ombudsman’) – “and matters in connection therewith”
• “to consider matters relating to the quality and standards of administration provided by civil service departments” – “and other matters relating to the civil service”
(House of Commons Standing Order No. 146)
Strategic Thinking in Government
Follow up to the National Strategy inquiry
• How strategy is linked to policy-making• International examples• Lessons from business• The role of social media
Smaller Government: Shrinking the Quango State
• “A missed opportunity”• “Hopelessly unclear”• “Rushed and poorly handled”
Govt should have used this as an opportunity to transfer function to charities and mutuals
Big Society
Leadership of change: new arrangements for the roles of the Head of the Civil Service and the
Cabinet Secretary
Changes “could lead to weaker leadership and disperse power at a critical time of change in government”
• both attend Cabinet on equal terms• both must have access to the Prime Minister and the
authority “to speak truth unto power”
Government and IT- "A Recipe For Rip-Offs": Time For A New
Approach
• Over-reliant on an oligopoly of large contractors
• Lack of in-house skills
Result: A recipe for rip-offs
The work of the Business Appointment Rules and the
Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
A ‘revolving door’ between business and Whitehall?
• concern about the movement of personnel between the private sector and the civil service
• growing demand for civil servants with external expertise• civil service job losses• greater diversity of providers for public services
Six Principles of Good Governance
1. Leadership2. Performance3. Accountability4. Transparency5. Engagement6. Empowerment