The Department of Infrastructure is continuing to streamline its workforce and generate new efficiencies as part of Government’s efforts to balance its budget.
Thirty-three members of staff have left the Department during the current financial year under the terms of a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS), creating a saving of approximately £1 million. That is on top of a £3 million cut in staff costs achieved since 2011-12 through the reduction of more than 100 full-time posts.
The MARS scheme remains open to applications from employees across Infrastructure as the Department looks to secure the additional savings needed to meet its £5 million budget reduction target.
Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:
‘In common with most areas of Government, a substantial part of the Department’s expenditure is on staff costs. The huge scale of our financial challenge meant there was always going to be an impact on jobs. However, this Government has consistently stated that it would not adopt a “slash and burn” approach. The reductions in Infrastructure have been carefully managed through retirements and voluntary departures, with input from staff and their unions. There have been no compulsory redundancies.’
He added:
‘Delivering the same range of public services with fewer staff has increased the workload on the remaining employees, but they have responded with great professionalism and commitment.’
As well as cutting staff costs, the Department has also revised its delivery of key services, introduced energy saving measures to lower utility bills across its estate and increased the use of technology in line with aspirations for a smaller, smarter Government.
Changes to working practices in Highway Services, Public Transport and at the Isle of Man Airport, including revised arrangements for the airport information desk, have significantly lowered operating costs by virtually eliminating premium payments for overtime and increasing flexibility around shift patterns.
Amalgamation of the driver and vehicle licensing and driver and vehicle examination teams has realised savings through the loss of one senior post. Further improvements expected from this reorganisation will lead to a slicker service for customers and a reduction in administration costs.
Strategic capital investment is also making a contribution to the reduction in revenue expenditure. The modernisation of the Isle of Man’s bus fleet is lowering fuel and maintenance costs, as well as improving services for passengers, and new jet patch technology means that some roads can be repaired up to 10 times faster. In addition, the Department is recycling more than 15,000 tonnes of material taken out of the roads, a five-fold increase over the last three years.
New efficiencies are being achieved through shared services in Government’s fleet and estates management, while the introduction of a digital planning portal and online payments for vehicle tax has helped to reduce administration costs. Staff are using mobile devices to process work in the field and ‘Report a Problem’ and ‘Read the Signs’ apps are contributing towards a more customer-focused approach to service delivery.
Minister Gawne said:
‘While we have increased charges for certain services, raising new revenue is just one element of the response to our budget responsibilities. The Department has also made great strides in terms of merging divisions, eliminating senior management posts and reducing bureaucracy. We will continue to assess the way we do things, with the aim of achieving leaner and more sustainable services.’
