Just after assuming the Office of Deputy Governor in July 2016, I would have embarked on a Listening Tour across the Public Service. I was extremely pleased with the level of candor and the willingness of persons to offer helpful suggestions on how the APS could be improved. I also received much valuable feedback from Executive Council, members of the public and regional partners concerning the operations of the Anguilla Public Service.
In March 2017, Ministers of the Public Service and Deputy Governors endorsed a Charter and Implementation guide for Public Sector Transformation (Reform) among CARICAD member states; including Anguilla. The Ministers and DGs recommended that the Charter be submitted to CARICOM Heads of Government for highest level approval. The Charter identifies components of a professional and effective public service. It establishes a general framework of guiding principles, policies and management mechanisms reflecting a common commitment of the Public Services of the Caribbean Region.
In July 2017, the National School of Government as a part of its project “Supporting Public Service Reform in the UK’s Overseas Territories” reviewed the governance and administrative structures of the public service and produced a report, which identified some key reform areas.
It has therefore become quite clear that there is a need for public service reform (Transformation) in Anguilla. To this end, a Public Sector Transformation Project for the Anguilla Public Service is now being launched.
Purpose:
To improve on the leadership of Government’s business by transforming systems of governance to provide for better strategic planning and development to ensure a more effective and efficient delivery of public services.
Goals:
To have a restructured office of the Deputy Governor as manager of the public service which includes:
? A restructured department of public administration,
o Revised performance management system
o Restructured training unit
? A centralized policy development and coordination team/unit,
? Standardized governance and administrative procedures –
o All policies governing the public administration reviewed, revised, published
o Modern Public Service Administration Act (complemented by a revised Financial Administration & Audit Act) which captures the above goals and concretizes the transformation process.
Tag Line /Mission:
Building systems, engaging and empowering people.
The Public Sector Transformation Project is being spearheaded by Mr. Kenneth Hodge Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS), Public Administration. Mr. Hodge has been transferred from the Ministry of Home Affairs where he formerly served as PAS Home Affairs.
The PAS Public Administration is being supported by a Public Sector Transformation Working Group (PSTWG), which he chairs. The names of the persons appointed to serve on the PSTWG are as follows:
1. Kenneth Hodge – Principal Assistant Secretary, Public Administration (Chair)
2. Kathleen Rogers – P.S. Public Administration
3. Jacqueline Bryan-Niles – Postmaster General (General Post Office)
4. Vonlee Harris – Deputy Accountant General (Treasury Department)
5. Lenox J. Proctor – Clerk to the House (House of Assembly)
6. Jesile Duncan – Senior Water Lab Technologist (Health Protection)
7. Lennox Vanterpool – Graduate Music Teacher, ALHCS
8. Serene Carter Davis – Retired Senior Nursing Administrator
9. Nakishma Hull – Crown Counsel Crime (AG’s Chambers)
10. Vaughn Hazell – Director (DITES)
11. Erlyn Wilkinson – Administrative Services Manager (MICU)
12. Alwyn Richardson – Programme Officer (Disaster Management)
The following skills sets form an integral part of the PSTWG:-
? Human resource development and public administration
? Financial and project management and policy development
? Financial management and administration
? Policy development and implementation
? Legal drafting, public law and governance
? Advocacy and youth perspectives
? Information Technology
? Administrative and secretarial services
It is important to note that the transformation process will be highly participatory, capturing the views/opinions of public officers, the wider general public, unions and staff associations and the Chamber of Commerce and AHTA.
I am pleased that the results of the Civil Service Survey 2018 for the Anguilla Public Service are now in. The Civil Service Survey provided public officers the opportunity to say what they thought of their job, their department or the Anguilla Public Service, what was done well and what could or should be improved. The results are quite interesting and I invite all public officers to review the findings for their Ministries/Departments which have now been disseminated. The data will certainly play an important role in the transformation process. Over the coming weeks the feedback will be discussed at various levels and the necessary steps taken to respond to it effectively.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Hodge and the members of the team much success in this project and also urge members of the wider public service to be engaged in the process which will ultimately lead to a more efficient and effective public service.
Perin Bradley (Mr)
Hon. Deputy Governor
