An innovative online “ideas hub” is now open for the public to submit their thoughts on how Government could save money and sustain services. 

Details were revealed today by Bill Shimmins MHK, who chairs Government’s SAVE campaign .

SAVE -- Securing Added Value and Efficiencies - was set up by Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan MHK to spearhead efforts to make ongoing cost reductions totalling ?25 million over the next five years. The reductions are necessary to ensure the future sustainability of key public services.

The online “ideas hub” can be found on the government website at www.gov.im/save.

To submit an idea a person must register to use the site.  Registration is done online and is immediate.  The deadline for submissions is 14 May 2017.

Mr Shimmins said: “We hope that the public will give serious thought to how government could streamline its services, cut waste or do things in new and innovative ways.   We are eager to see how they will respond to the challenge and are hoping to see some exciting new ideas.

“After all, it's the public’s money that government spends to deliver services.  With their input we aim to make the required savings and help build a sustainable future for the Island.”

Mr Shimmins together with his political colleagues on the SAVE Programme Board, Lawrie Hooper and David Ashford, will be holding public drop-in sessions around the Island during April. These will provide an opportunity for people to discuss their suggestions.  Sessions are planned for Douglas, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown and details will be confirmed soon.   

Mr Shimmins added: “For those people who do not wish to use the online ideas hub, we will also be publishing a series of newspapers ads later this month which provide write-in forms that can be completed and submitted to us”. 

Every idea submitted through the website or on the write-in forms will be looked at by the SAVE team, as it develops proposals for the Council of Ministers to consider. Council will decide which to develop further and implement across government.  

He said:  “All departments have already been asked to consider their big ticket ideas to help meet the ?25M target.  No service or department is exempt from contributing to the SAVE Programme.

“We will be meeting with our Tynwald colleagues to seek their views and public servants are being asked for their ideas through a “staff-only” ideas hub similar to the one open to the public. 

“Government’s future ability to deliver the right services at the right cost depends on us all – the public, staff, Tynwald Members, and government departments - helping to identify opportunities, initiatives and projects.

“I urge everyone to join the challenge to come up with new ways of working and innovative ideas to create these savings.

“Our message is this: here is your opportunity to think about your services, your money, your idea and our future.  Please contribute your ideas.”