§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will estimate the cost of the proposed reorganisation and reduction in number of district benefit offices in Wales;
(2) whether in the proposed reorganisation of the Benefits Agency in Wales (a) any public outlet will close and (b) a full service will continue to be given at each outlet.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe structure and operation of the Benefits Agency in Wales are matters for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. John Marek, dated 1 December 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about reorganisation of the Benefits Agency (BA) in Wales.The latest estimated costs attributable to the reorganisation of BA Districts in Wales is £277,400. In addition, the estimated cost of services provided by the Information Technology Services Agency is £303,800. These latter notional costs are subsumed within a fixed service charge for planned mainframe computer service provision. Resulting savings in management and administrative costs arising from economies of scale will be redirected to enhance service provision to our customers. The estimated resource which will be available for reinvestment as a result of the reorganisation is £700,000 year on year.No offices will close as a result of the reorganisation of District boundaries in Wales, nor will there be any reduction in the standard of service provided. Indeed, the redirecting of resources saved will enhance the service already provided.I hope you find this reply helpful.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors led the Benefits Agency to give notice to Property Holdings that it intends to vacate all the offices it presently occupies in Clwyd.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe structure and operation of the Benefits Agency in Wales are matters for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. John Marek, dated 1 December 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the factors that led to the Benefits Agency giving notice to Property Holdings to vacate all the offices it presently occupies in Clwyd.As part of its ongoing Estates Strategy, the Benefits Agency keeps the need for maintaining all of its accommodation under regular scrutiny. Local management in Clwyd are considering customer service delivery issues across all offices presently occupied as part of the ongoing business requirement.The main factor to be considered in respect of future business needs for accommodation is the requirement to ensure that accommodation matches need and that there is no unnecessary and wasteful expenditure on public funds on unsuitable, excessively costed, or overspaced buildings. It is considered essential that full value for money is obtained in delivering the best possible service. A further factor of great importance is the requirement to deliver a One Stop Service to our customers.Initial research in Clwyd has shown that the amount of accommodation exceeds needs, although no decisions have yet been taken regarding which, if any, accommodation will be vacated and which will be retained. In view of the duration of notice periods required, to ensure that as many options are kept open as possible, and as a precautionary measure to protect public funds, Property 927W Holdings were initially advised that all properties were to be vacated. Discussions are still on-going and clearly not all properties will be vacated and some properties may be replaced by more suitable ones.I can assure you that whatever conclusions are reached the prime consideration will be to ensure that customer service outlets are retained in all the current locations in Clwyd and wherever possible the service will be enhanced.I have arranged for the District Manager to let you know when decisions are reached.I hope you find this reply helpful.