4.16 Review of work practices: A review of 2011-2014 The Department identified three areas for internal review: work practices will continue with a view to A review of travel and subsistence within the Department has eliminating inappropriate practices and been completed. A number of recommendations, including the arrangements, which may have become introduction of some new procedures and controls, are being outdated. implemented. A working group was established to review the current debt management procedures. It reported considerable progress made by the relevant Divisions in dealing with debts, e.g. a Debt Recovery Unit is in place that deals with the State’s six Fishery Harbour Centres. The Unit works not only to recover monies outstanding, but also to encourage the timely payment of invoices issued. A review of two internal claim processing systems has been completed and the rationalisation of these processes will lead to administrative efficiencies. The Department is seeking to identify further opportunities in this regard and has introduced a new staff suggestion scheme, which will seek the views of staff regarding efficiencies in their own work areas. 1.8 2011-2014 The Department has made good progress in recent years in a drive Cross-streaming and restructuring of grades: The Department currently has a towards cross-stream reporting, team-working and the integration of number of distinct staffing streams each streams. In the past 12 months further progress has been made; with their own grading systems and partly reporting arrangements have been implemented in Divisions separate management structures. Substantial dealing with environmental work. A multi-disciplinary, progress has been made in recent years in a has also been established; it brings together Division ‘Trade Team’ drive towards cross-stream reporting, all the trade interests in this Department and the relevant agencies to and integration of streams. take a pro-active, strategic and coordinated approach to international Building on these developments, the trade matters, focusing in particular on developing market access. Department will continue the drive towards integration of streams and towards A proposal document to examine options for restructuring the achieving the maximum scope for mobility grading streams is being drafted. within and between grades.
4.16 Review of work practices: A review of work practices will continue with a view to eliminating inappropriate practices and arrangements, which may have become outdated. 2011-2014 The Department identified three areas for internal review: A review of travel and subsistence within the Department has been completed. A number of recommendations, including the introduction of some new procedures and controls, are being implemented. A working group was established to review the current debt management procedures. It reported considerable progress made by the relevant Divisions in dealing with debts, e.g. a Debt Recovery Unit is in place that deals with the State’s six Fishery Harbour Centres. The Unit works not only to recover monies outstanding, but also to encourage the timely payment of invoices issued. A review of two internal claim processing systems has been completed and the rationalisation of these processes will lead to administrative efficiencies. The Department is seeking to identify further opportunities in this regard and has introduced a new staff suggestion scheme, which will seek the views of staff regarding efficiencies in their own work areas. 1.8 Cross-streaming and restructuring of grades: The Department currently has a number of distinct staffing streams each with their own grading systems and partly separate management structures. Substantial progress has been made in recent years in a drive towards cross-stream reporting, and integration of streams. Building on these developments, the Department will continue the drive towards integration of streams and towards achieving the maximum scope for mobility within and between grades. 2011-2014 The Department has made good progress in recent years in a drive towards cross-stream reporting, team-working and the integration of streams. In the past 12 months further progress has been made; reporting arrangements have been implemented in Divisions dealing with environmental work. A multi-disciplinary, ‘Trade Team’ has also been established; it brings together all the trade interests in this Department and the relevant agencies to take a pro-active, strategic and coordinated approach to international trade matters, focusing in particular on developing market access. A proposal document to examine options for restructuring the grading streams is being drafted. Division
ProgressDAFM2ndAnnualReviewrev130612.docx