FIVE hundred public sector posts - almost 10% of the workforce - could be axed in the next five years.
Three hundred will go in the most radical overhaul of States departments ever undertaken, while committee presidents are today thrashing out plans for another 200 to go by pruning services under the fundamental spending review.At least £20 million a year could be saved.Policy and Resources president Senator Frank Walker says that a ‘revolution’ has started which will put the pride back in the public sector and give the Island a level of service it has never seen before.
The new motto for the States is ‘better, cheaper, simpler’.A five-year plan for States departments was drawn up in January by 13 senior civil servants in a so-called ‘visioning’ exercise.The most radical change proposed is the creation of a single, one-stop customer services unit which will handle all the public’s dealings with the States, from booking a squash court at the Fort to paying a tax bill or setting up a business.
The unit will also include a support services section, bringing human resources, finance and IT sections from the various departments under one roof.
It is this proposal which is likely to save most posts, and it is the civil service which will bear the brunt of the cuts.A mass meeting of the Transport and General Workers Union has been called for 30 March to discuss the proposals.
Official Nick Corbel says that he believes that the States are edging ever closer to trying to privatise services.
Article posted on 17th March, 2004 - 12.00am
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