1. Portfolio/Number/Name:ERD/T1 - ERAD Science Programme |
2. Programme/Activity: The ERAD Science Efficiency Programme comprises 2 distinct strands, both of which will deliver efficiency improvements through more effective use of manpower by the Scottish Agricultural College ( SAC) and the Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes ( SABRIs). The first efficiency improvement will be achieved through two forms of staff changes: - Efficiency gains from strengthening the science base;
- Staff savings resulting from a rationalisation of SAC's estates and the subsequent centralisation of certain functions.
The second efficiency improvement will be achieved through better utilisation of staff across the existing programme of advisory services that SAC provides, to develop an additional advisory service on animal health planning in 2005 and to develop other services in 2006. |
3. Efficiency | 3.1 Current target; £m | | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Cash | 0 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
Time | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
3.2 Efficiencies delivered; £m | | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 |
Cash | 0.6 | - | - |
Time | 0.4 | - | - |
4. Accountable Officer for delivery | Richard Wakeford |
5. Project Manager | Norman Harvey |
6. EGDD Portfolio Manager | Angus Gardner |
7. Description of efficiency and actions to be taken | 7.1 What is the efficiency improvement? How will the efficiencies be made? The efficiency improvements from the staff changes will be achieved through: - recruiting new scientists resulting in better quality outputs for the same inputs;
- reducing the number of staff in certain functions whilst maintaining the same level of outputs
The efficiency improvement from better staff utilisation will result in more outputs for the same inputs. |
7.2 What are the main actions that are needed to secure the delivery of this efficiency improvement? SABRIs to continue to engineer staff turnover and reduce administrative support costs to enable greater investment in frontline science. The SAC has already made staff reductions as a result of a strategy to rationalise its three campuses by building on partnerships with other local higher education providers. The SAC has improved its staff utilisation factor resulting in an increase in productive time across the existing programme of advisory services that it delivers for SEERAD, which it is then able to reinvest in new or enhanced services at no additional cost. |
8. Associated costs | 8.1 Are there any development or redundancy costs associated with the delivery of this efficiency? Yes. Recurring, but not lump sum, costs associated with redundancies have been netted off efficiency savings. |
9. Measurement | 9.1 What are the inputs that will be measured? The inputs being measured for efficiency improvements from the staff changes are: - expenditure on scientists; and
- expenditure on staff in functions being centralised.
The inputs being measured for efficiency improvement from better staff utilisation is expenditure on staff providing advisory services. |
9.2 What are the outputs that will be measured? The outputs being measured for efficiency improvements from the staff changes are: - productive staff time; and
- level of service provided by staff in functions being centralised.
The outputs being measured for efficiency improvement from better staff utilisation is volume of advisory services provided. |
9.3 What is the baseline for inputs and outputs? The baseline for measuring inputs and outputs is 2004/05. |
10. Quality cross-check | 10.1 What quality indicators are being used to ensure that quality of service is maintained or improved? Research proposals and outputs are subject to regular peer review to assure quality and relevance. Review recommendations are taken up with SAC and SABRIs by SEERAD's Science and Advisory Group ( SAG) reviews. |
11. Monitoring | 11.1 What are the arrangements for monitoring the delivery of efficiencies? Submission of periodic reports by SAC and SABRIs to SAG. SAG receives quarterly reports on the performance of the advisory services that SEERAD commissions from SAC. Nominated SEERAD staff ensure services are being delivered as agreed. Performance is regularly reviewed and remedial action agreed and monitored in discussion with SAC. |
12. Reporting | 12.1 What are the arrangements for reporting the delivery of efficiencies? Submission of periodic reports by SAC and SABRIs to SAG. |
13. Dependencies | 13.1 Explain if your efficiencies are dependent on legislation or other structural changes being achieved. Efficiencies are not dependent on legislation or other structural changes and will arise from action that has already been taken. |
14. Use of efficiencies | 14.1 How are the efficiencies released from improvement activity being used to improve front-line services? More resource is being invested in scientific research and being used more productively. High quality, cutting edge scientific research is being advanced through the development of an output based process of commissioning research. An Animal Health and Welfare Programme has been funded from savings from better staff utilisation by reducing non-productive time. |