The Isle of Man Government is progressing plans to introduce shared service centres as part of its drive to deliver greater efficiencies and cost savings. Staff who carry out common support functions across Human Resources, Finance, Estates and Procurement will be brought together in a key element of the ‘Transforming Government’ programme. The move, supported by the Council of Ministers, aims to reduce administration costs and generate improvements through consistency of approach, economies of scale and the sharing of best practice. The phased introduction of these new centres of excellence will get under way in December and forms part of the comprehensive review into the way Government operates. The transition will be carefully managed in the months ahead, and in the case of Estates services will happen over five years due to the complexity of this area. The ‘Transforming Government’ programme is being coordinated by a central team which has been looking at a wide range of issues, including measures aimed at lowering staff costs. The emphasis is on pursuing more effective ways of working in order to support Government’s five-year strategy to rebalance the budget following the reduction, by the UK Government, in the Isle of Man’s share of VAT revenue. All Departments and Statutory Boards have been working alongside the central team to identify potential savings, while seeking to safeguard frontline services. Government is also sharpening its focus on providing services around the needs of the people who use them, including making better use of new technology and providing community ‘one-stop shops’. Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK said: ‘The next few months will see further changes within Government as we continue to respond positively to the unprecedented challenges presented by the UK’s revision of its VAT sharing arrangements with the Isle of Man. That development has led to a substantial loss of income to the Manx Government and compelled us to re-examine our activities and spending. ‘The creation of shared service centres will play an important part in delivering the efficiencies required to ensure a sustainable and secure future for the Island. In HR, Finance, Estates and Procurement we have identified four areas where significant benefits can be realised from bringing together members of staff from different Departments who carry out similar functions,’ he added. This latest initiative aims to build on the momentum created by February’s Budget and the restructuring of Government Departments. It supports the overall strategy to rebalance Government’s finances and is being implemented alongside efforts to generate increased revenue through further growth and diversification of the Island’s economy. The Chief Minister said: ‘We are taking a measured approach to reducing costs across the whole of Government, while endeavouring to protect frontline services for those in the community who are most in need of Government’s support.’ Ends