Government Electronic ‘Savings Suggestion Box’
The Cabinet Office said today [Jan 17] that the “Civil Service has been given a unique opportunity to suggest ways the Government of Bermuda can save money.”
In the Throne Speech it was said that “the Government proposes to restrain growth in spending and to effect savings of at least $150 million in the first year. In addition to reduced spending, Ministries will be required to obtain the best value for money.”
The ‘Suggestion Box’, an initiative of the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Finance, is a new intranet website designed to enable Civil Servants to submit ideas for savings within individual government departments. Civil servants have been given the option to post suggestions either confidentially or by providing their name if they desire follow up. As an intranet design, the site is only accessible to government users.
A government spokesperson explained that the civil service has learned on numerous occasions that the best ideas come from within. “The Civil Service, like private sector employers, is especially mindful of restraining growth in spending during these challenging times. This website is designed to encourage all Civil Servants to be a part of the process.”
The general public is also encouraged to continue offering suggests on how the government can be more fiscally prudent. Public suggestions can be emailed to the Bermuda Government on savings@gov.bm.
The spokesperson added that the Government will review all suggestions and due consideration given to those that will help utilize public monies more efficiently.
Do like california and tell the politicians to get their own cell phones and cellular plans.
Is this an admission that they don’t have a clue what to do?
I view it as a way of welcoming creative ideas to save $$$. Especially from people who work in the civil service who are concerned about their jobs
Yep.
No, this is something they can come back to a year from now when little changes have been made,this will be an example of the governments willingness to work to make spending cuts. Its all a circle jerk, nothing ever gets fixed.
Are you serious? The government is asking the public on how it can save money?? The credit well finally runs dry, and now the government actually gives a d– about what the public thinks on prudent money manageament? I am not even going to bother saying any more…
as a govt worker, its frustrating to hear that now they want to plug the leaks when it seems like just yesterday Dr Brown was defending the 30-odd million dollar over run on the new dock in dockyard due to “dolphin sound mitigation” and the thruster wall (which was left in tatters after hurricane Igor). I wonder if we will we now have to pay Correia construction to rebuild it or if the faulty welding was covered in some sort of warranty. as i govt worker, i’ll always play my part…i just need the govt of the day (which ever party) to play theirs
Well thanks for opening the door for Dr. Browns over runs and remindning everyone how well he governed the public purse.
Lets not for get the 800 million that still hasn’t been accounted for either.
The cover up over Berkeley, the help your friends for getting me into power and pay me off syndrome.
How about getting all the money back that was embezzled by certain individuals and friends…?
The funny thing is that we all know the obvious answer to make a huge dent in their overspending but they are asking the only people who won’t say it out loud because it will cost them their job. That’s right, government is grossly overstaffed and they need to trim the fat, starting at the top with MP salaries, benefits, travel, etc. and going all the way down to the unnecessary people doing nothing in the various ministries.
Unbelievable! The PLP Government is asking the civil service, aka the largest group that votes to keep the PLP in power, on how to reduce expenses i.e. how to cut labour costs!
This Government really does not have a clue on what to do. 12 years of party party & this is the best they can do. The LAST thing the civil service wants to do is reduce their size. The last thing the seat warmers want to do is actually be productive & do some work. For example, just today I had reason to call 3 Government departments. At only 1, Marine & Ports, was there a real live human to speak to right away. Planning department batted me around 3 extensions before I got a human with answers. Apparently the Land Valuation people are all off or in a meeting today because a voice mail I left this morning is still waiting to be returned more than 5 hours later.
I used to provide a service to visitors. If I did not answer my phone in 3 or 4 rings they were calling my competition.
Asking civil servants for cost saving advice is like putting the fox into the chicken coop & saying “now…guard these”.
Why limit the suggestion box to only the Civil Service?
As Government’s payroll expense takes up 50% of the budget (proportionally a significantly higher percentage than most other countries) why not give the public an opportunity to provide feedback as well? Asking civil servants to find ways to reduce costs (where the vast majority relate to their own salaries) is akin to asking MPs to take a pay-cut – it ain’t gonna happen.
Additionally why not introduce a reverse debt clock so taxpayers can see (in real time) how effective a job the Government is doing with their $150 million reduction initiative.
While we’re at it let’s finally introduce whistle blower legislation.
Lastly, how about and an online complaint portal so taxpayers can report instances of time theft and abuse of the taxpayer’s purse. If the Department of Immigration finds a hot-line so useful for reporting unauthorised work by non-Bermudians why not have one for the public to report civil servants who aren’t working as authorised/expected.
If you actually read the release, the general public has also been given the opportunity to send in suggestions.
Is there anyone in Government able to do their job Effectively & Effeciently ie Finance Minister