§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) terms of reference, (b) purpose and (c) timescale are of her Department's leadership review. [91054]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 January 2003]The leadership review flows from the Joint Strategic Review of Defra, carried out by the Department jointly with the Office of Public Service Reform. The Joint Strategic Review examined how Defra operated, and identified both the strengths it could build on and the areas it needed to improve to become a high-performing Department. This included a study of the kind of leadership Defra would need. The purpose of the leadership review is to: (i) develop and introduce a 'leadership profile' for Defra staff from top down to G7; (ii) implement a programme of Development Centres and supporting coaching based on the leadership profile and which also builds on earlier leadership development; (iii) focus future learning on supporting the change in culture and performance identified by the Joint Strategic Review; (iv) help individuals reduce any gaps between current and desired skills and competencies; and (v) generate a culture of learning within Defra so that staff outside the target group are properly supported in their own learning and development.
A pilot Development Centre is scheduled to run in March 2003, with rollout across Defra from April 2003, and completion planned for July 2004. Following 97W attendance at the centre participants will undertake coaching and other training for a period of at least a year.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she will use to assess the performance of civil servants subject to her Department's leadership review. [91051]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 January 2003]Defra has developed a leadership profile, which will be used to assess individuals participating in its leadership development programme. It describes the skills and behaviour required to be an effective leader.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who will carry out the assessments of civil servants under her Department's leadership review. [91052]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 January 2003]: The leadership development programme is being managed by the Department's Human Resources function. A consultancy has been selected to design and deliver the programme.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials, at which grades, will be subject to her Department's leadership review. [91053]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 16 January 2003]All 150 members of the senior civil service in Defra will participate in its leadership development programme, as will other managers in Grades 6 and 7 who occupy leadership roles in the Department, some two dozen and 380 respectively. Others in specialist and technical roles who aspire to senior management positions may also choose to participate. The number of officials participating is therefore approximately 560.