Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK yesterday (Tuesday August 28, 2012) launched a public consultation on an independent report’s proposals to narrow the range of services that are delivered directly by Government.
 
The revised Scope of Government report concludes that some services could be provided more efficiently via alternative structures such as Government-owned companies or contracting out. It also recommends the transfer of certain functions to a reformed local authority system.
 
Produced by an independent review team at the request of the Chief Minister, the report was published in May this year. The formal consultation starting today, which runs until October 5, follows a preliminary period of public discussion of its recommendations and an initial debate in Tynwald.
 
In his foreword to the consultation document the Chief Minister writes: ‘Government has a duty to consider if there are different, more efficient and affordable ways of providing certain services that would help us to focus taxpayer funding on the core areas that need it most.’
 
Noting that the report proposes a number of ‘Alternative Means of Service Delivery’, Mr Bell continues: ‘None of these options offers an easy solution. Devolving services away from central Government into new structures would raise issues in relation to staffing, impact on service users, and the maintenance of public accountability that all require careful consideration.

‘The status quo is not sustainable, however. The question is not whether Government should change but how it should change, to achieve a practical solution that works in the particular circumstances of our community.’
 
‘The Council of Ministers still has an open mind on the answer to that question and we would very much welcome your views on the best way forward for our Island.’
 
The consultation is available online at http://www.gov.im/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=337 and hard copies can be supplied by contacting the Chief Secretary’s Office.