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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL NOTES: MARCH 2005: page 11

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE EFFICIENCY TECHNICAL NOTES: MARCH 2005

1. Portfolio/Number/Name:COPFS/C4 Staff Savings from introduction of new IT system

2. Programme/Activity: Please include a short description

The Future Office System (FOS) is a case management system that is designed to record the main business processes of case marking, case tracking and disposal across all COPFS activities. The project has four stages, covering initial case marking (Phase 1), full case processing for summary cases (Phase 2), solemn procedure and changes arising from the Bonomy Report (Phase 3). If the proposals in the McInnes Report are implemented that would lead to further work being required, which would form a Phase 4.

3. Planned Savings

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Cash (m)

0.8

0.8

0.8

Time Releasing (m)

0

0

0

4. Accountable Officer for delivery

Norman McFadyen, Crown Agent and Chief Executive

5. Project Manager

Bill McQueen, Deputy Chief Executive

6. EGDG account manager

Carolyn Girvan, Efficient Government Delivery Group

7. Quality Impact

Describe any impact on the quality of service delivery. Be specific and explain if the expectation is positive, negative or neutral.

A positive impact is anticipated on the quality of service through improved and faster marking of cases received by the Department from the Police.

8. Dependencies

Explain if your savings are dependant on legislation or other structural changes being achieved.

Savings are not dependent on legislation or other structural changes being achieved. Guidance and training on the new systems has been provided.

9. Description of efficiency and actions to be taken

How will the saving be made? Be specific about number/size of contracts, staff, posts dates etc.

Savings will arise from a reduction in staff numbers.

What action is critically needed to secure delivery of this saving? Be specific, and name the key action managers if they are outwith your immediate management chain (e.g. in an NDPB.)

The forecast savings have been built into future budgets and Business Plans.

10. Impact on Staffing to achieve the efficiency gain

If there are to be any changes in staff numbers (at activity level) to achieve the efficiency gain, please indicate how many full time equivalents and how far you expect savings to be achieved by natural wastage (show additions as + and reductions as -).

2005- 06

2006- 07

2007- 08

Gross

Net

-45

-45

-45

Explanation

Reduction in administrative staff numbers as a result of reports being received electronically from the Police and being marked and tracked electronically.

11. Benefits

In general, the benefits of the Scottish Executive Efficiency Plan are the enhanced outputs from the resources Ministers have been able to allocate in SR04. But if there is a direct connection between this efficiency saving and the enhancement of a particular service please describe it here.

N/A

12. Gross/Net Cash Savings

12.1 Please set out the gross recurring saving and any offsetting recurring expenditure.

0.8m a year

12.2 Against what budget does this expenditure and saving fall?

Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service.

12.3 Has this saving been built into your budget?

Yes

12.4 If so, what is the maximum allowable expenditure against the budget data, in each year, for that saving to be delivered?

2005-06 - 88.6m, 2006-07 - 92.1m, 2007-08 - 94.6m

12.5 If not, how do you propose to invest the additional cash back into public services?

N/A

12.6 What plans do you have to exceed the required saving? Explain by how much in each year.

There are no plans to exceed the forecast savings.

13. Time - release savings

13.1 Please explain any time-releasing savings indicated at question 3.

N/A

13.2 Please describe the method you plan to use to calculate the cash equivalent of those time release savings.

N/A

14. Measurement and Monitoring

14.1 How are you proposing to measure the expected efficiency benefits (e.g. in terms of costs, level of output or quality of service)?

Efficiency benefits will be measured in relation to the staff costs and will be reflected in staff numbers.

14.2 What monitoring & reporting procedures will be put in place to measure the efficiency savings (How often will progress towards the target be monitored? Who will have lead responsibility for reporting progress and what procedures will be in place?)

We will monitor and report to our Management Board mid-year (September) and at financial year-end. This will be led by the Director of Finance who is a member of the Management Board.

14.3 Monitoring Data: Sources, Validation and risks

  • What data will be used to measure progress? Is all the required information quantifiable and readily available? If not what action will be taken to rectify this?

  • What measures will be in place to validate the accuracy of the data. Who will take responsibility for this?

  • Are there any issues or risks relating to how you plan to use the data? (e.g. accuracy, difficulties in collection)

    Efficiency savings will be tracked when assessing staffing requirements at the budget planning stage.

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Page updated: Thursday, March 31, 2005