HC Deb 07 March 2001 vol 364 cc265-6W
Mr. Goggins

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to review arrangements for delivering public services through executive agencies. [152985]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Executive Agencies play a crucial role in delivering high quality public services to specific and visible targets. They have ensured and strengthened managerial accountability.

However, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, we have decided that it is an opportune time to review the arrangements for Executive Agencies to see what lessons can be drawn from current models. The review will be sponsored jointly by the Cabinet Office and the Treasury. In the context of Modernising Government and the Civil Service Reform Programme, it will focus on: what versions of the agency model have been most successful and least, and in what context, focusing on the output and services delivered by organisations, and taking into account other models of service delivery; how agency objectives and targets can best be aligned with PSA and SDA objectives and targets and given the right degree of stretch; what degree of control from parent departments and the centre and what degree of freedom to manage is appropriate; how appropriate the current level and scope of central scrutiny is, including quinquennial reviews, better quality services reviews and PSA/SDA monitoring; how joined up service delivery can best be promoted via the agency model; how service delivery and policy can best be integrated to ensure that policy is properly informed by practicalities; how to ensure that agencies have in place appropriate corporate governance including the roles of ministerial advisory boards and "Fraser" figures; how best to secure transparency and thoroughness in reporting on agency matters including performance to the public.

We place great importance on the involvement of the civil service unions in taking forward the modernising Government agenda. In the full spirit of our partnership agreement with the unions, officials will be involving them regularly during the course of the review.