Letter from Chairman PSC to Head of NICS




Nigel HamiltonPublic Service Commission
Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service2nd Floor
Room FD3410 Cromac Place
Stormont CastleGasworks
Stormont EstateBELFAST
Upper Newtownards RoadBT7 2JB
BELFASTTel: 028 90332040
BT4 3SW23 November 2007
Dear Nigel
REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
At the Public Service Commission meeting on 20 November Commissioners again expressed concern at the impact delays to the implementation of RPA are having on  staff across all sectors. We have already discussed and corresponded on the issue on broad terms. Indeed we would have returned to it again at the proposed follow up meeting between Commissioners and you in the New Year. However, Commissioners are now picking up so much negative feedback that it was suggested that I should seek an early meeting with you.
Admittedly some of the feedback Commissioners are receiving is anecdotal or non attributable, but to give you a flavour of the discussion at PSC some of the issues commented on were:
  • Suggestions that staff in Health Boards have now been placed at a disadvantage in applying for posts and that many Board staff are anxious about their future if a single Authority is not established.
  • The demotivating effect that the extended timeframe and general uncertainty is having on staff and the potential effect on service delivery across all sectors.
  • The difficulty local government is having in filling posts at senior levels.
  • A suggestion that good staff will look to “jump ship”.
  • A suggestion that an overall RPA process is disintegrating and a concern that staff will not be dealt with consistently across sectors.
Commissioners would be content that you and I should meet without any officials being present. If, however, you suggest a more formal meeting then I would be accompanied by no more than 2 Commissioners and the Chief Executive of the Commission.
I should be grateful if you would let me know if you are content to hold the meeting and, if so, which format you prefer. It would also be helpful if your office could contact Barbara Bryan at the PSC office with possible dates.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
Sid McDowell
SID McDOWELL
Chairman
PSC
Cc  John McMillen
      Brian Martin

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