Timetable
Contents
Resource information
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22 Processes are required to gather and analyse information and to provide it to relevant players to inform decision making. The attached table sets out the recommended process which has two phases:
- Phase one is a structured information gathering and analysis process involving departments, unions, and Ministers. Phase one is aimed at identifying economy wide pressures and generic public service wide remuneration pressures (see steps 1 - 3 and 6 in the attached table).
- Phase two involves prioritising these pressures, and department specific pressures, against competing priorities. Phase two is implemented through, and forms part of, the wider "managing for outcomes" and budget processes (see steps 4 - 5 and 7 - 9 in the attached table).
23 Step 10 in the attached table then provides for a debrief and evaluation of the process.
24 Note that the timetables for the Managing for Outcomes and the budget processes may change from year to year depending on the Government's budget strategy.
|
Step |
When |
What/by whom |
For Whom |
Why |
|
1 |
June |
Treasury/SSC assembles, economy wide and generic info and engages with the PSA about that info and PSA priorities Treasury/SSC and the PSA reach agreement where possible. Some specific information may also be available at this stage. |
No specific product at this stage. |
To gather the relevant overview information that will inform relevant ministerial decisions later, and for Treasury/SSC and the PSA to engage on issues raised and try to reach agreement on how to deal with them. |
|
2 |
July |
Overview report on economy wide and generic info (including PSA priorities). Prepared by Treasury and SSC in conjunction with the PSA with agreed recommendations and/or differing views noted. |
State Services and Finance Ministers. PSA opportunity to meet Ministers on the overview report and to engage over generic issues/PSA priorities. |
To get an indication of the costs of implementing govt policies with implications for HR and/or PSA priorities. Ministers may make decisions on HR policy issues and PSA priorities at this point. |
|
3 |
Aug |
Adapted overview report (including details of ministerial steers/decisions). Prepared by Treasury and SSC in consultation with the PSA. Treasury/SSC could also hold a seminar/briefing for departments . |
Departments, PSA officers and organisers, Treasury budget and vote people, SSC DC teams. |
To inform departments in their managing for outcomes and budget bid processes (and Treasury, SSC, and PSA input), and to advise departments of any ministerial decisions on policy issues and/or PSA priorities. |
|
4 |
Sept & Oct |
Departments' managing for outcomes/strategic planning processes, including identifying remuneration pressures. Any department specific pressures (which are likely to impact on a budget bid) will be identified at this point. Departments will already have been engaging with the PSA on remuneration. If a remuneration pressure is likely to result in a funding pressure, this is advised to Treasury as part of the normal budget process. |
Departments advise both Treasury and SSC. |
To give an early indication of the overall quantum and nature of likely remuneration related bids. |
|
5 |
Oct & Nov |
Treasury/SSC interact with departments and consult with PSA on remuneration issues/pressures as departments develop their bids. |
Treasury/SSC get to grips with overall budget pressures, and give preliminary feedback to departments re govt priorities, quality/clarity of bids, etc |
To give the central agencies an overview of what is coming and to inform later decisions on the budget. Budget bids should have taken account of any ministerial decisions with implications for HR policies at step 2. |
|
6 |
Dec |
If necessary and after consulting the PSA, Treasury/SSC advise departments of any updating of information in the previous "overview report" (see step 3 above). Budget policy statement also published around this time. |
Departments |
To ensure departments have updated information when finalising their bids, including any variation to earlier ministerial decisions. |
|
7 |
Jan & early Feb |
Budget bids finalised and formally submitted. |
Departments refer formal bids to Treasury (vote people), SSC (DC teams). |
To formalise bids. |
|
8 |
Feb |
Treasury/SSC engage with PSA and prepare report summarising earlier ministerial decisions (if any) on generic pressures and advising on remuneration pressure related bids. Treasury/SSC report noting agreed and/or differing views on remuneration pressures and/or priorities. |
Ministers of State Services and Finance. |
To enable Ministers to form views on budget priorities (in light of competing demands for funding) to assist them in considering individual departmental bids. |
|
9 |
March & Apr |
Ministers hold bilateral briefings and make final decisions on individual departmental budget bids. |
Finance Ministers and Vote Ministers. |
To make decisions on the budget. |
|
10 |
May |
Debrief and evaluation of process by SSC/Treasury in conjunction with the PSA. |
Ministers of State Services and Finance. |
To identify improvements to the process. |