Conversion of Contract Posts to Permanent Posts.

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A decision made (23/08/2006) regarding Conversion of contract posts to permanent and confirmation of manpower budget.

Subject:	Conversion of contract posts to permanent and confirmation of manpower budget
Decision Reference:	MD-S-2006-0052		Exempt clause(s):
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written		Person Giving Report (if oral):
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?			Report File ref:
Written report – Title	Manpower Request – Conversion of contracts posts to permanent and confirmation of manpower budget.
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Mrs Liz Webster, Senior Human Resources Manager
Decision(s): To seek the approval of the Treasury & Resources Minister to convert 12 contract posts to permanent and adjust manpower budgets accordingly, to maintain essential service levels.
Reason(s) for decision: Over recent years the Social Security Department has undertaken a major business transformation process, which has introduced new systems and improved services to the public. As part of the on-going development of benefits and services, further improvements and changes are due to come into effect in 2007, with the introduction of Income Support. During the initial transformation process the Department’s manpower has been 113.96 FTE, including 12 contract posts, previously reported as permanent. These contracts were due to expire on completion of the Business Transformation project, however, this level of manpower continues to be required as over time demand has increased, customer service has been improved, and increased rigour has been applied in the processing of data due to the introduction of new systems. Following the appointment of a new Chief Officer, a full audit of the Department’s manpower has been undertaken which has revealed the 12 contract posts but also that they are required to maintain the necessary level of service to the public, as well as plan for and introduce the new Income Support system. The audit also revealed that whilst the Department is within its headcount budget, it has exceeded its manpower budget by a further 2.90 fte. The reasons for this are unknown. Taking into account the transfer of staff from Information Services and Human Resources to the Chief Minister’s Department, the Social Security Department requires a staffing level of 110.24 fte (123 headcount) to maintain services at their current level. Current cash limits are sufficient to meet the costs of this request and the Department has achieved and will continue to achieve its efficiency savings targets. The Department is committed to delivering efficient services and will continue to make opportunistic savings as they arise, yet is unable to undertake the level of savings required to keep within the manpower budget once the contract posts expire without diverting resources away from the implementation of Income Support or loss of services to the customer. Measures which are currently apparent, which will be considered in any event, and could deliver savings to posts, could even prove to be more costly than the current arrangement.
Action required: A letter to be drafted to the Treasury & Resources Minister accordingly.
Signature: Senator P.F. Routier - Minister		Date of Decision: 23 August 2006