Cabinet Secretary & Head Of The Civil Service
[Updated] In an “effort to place a sharper focus on Public Service Reform,” the posts of Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service will be separated, the Government said today, with Dr. Derrick Binns to continue as the Head of the Civil Service, while the role of Secretary to the Cabinet will be filled.
The Governor has invited the Public Service Commission [PSC] to commence the process to fill the role of Secretary to the Cabinet, the Government said, adding that the “aim is to conclude the process later this month.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Government of Bermuda is advising of the following changes at the senior executive level of the public service.
“His Excellency the Governor, John Rankin and Premier David Burt have determined that in an effort to place a sharper focus on Public Service Reform the posts of Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service should be separated. This step is also in keeping with one of the recommendations of the 2013 SAGE Commission.
“Currently, both posts are held by Dr. Derrick Binns.
“The Governor and Premier have also determined that, based on his extensive and unmatched knowledge of the service at all levels, and his many years and breadth of public service experience, Dr. Derrick Binns is ideally placed to continue as the Head of the Civil Service and lead the continuation of public service reform.
“As a result, and in accordance with the Constitution, the Governor has invited the Public Service Commission [PSC] to commence the process to fill the role of Secretary to the Cabinet. The aim is to conclude the process later this month.”
The Premier stated: “I wish to thank Dr. Binns for his service as Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, posts he has held since December, 2013.
“In those roles he has offered wise advice and guidance to three Premiers and has provided strong leadership to the Public Service. I am pleased that he has agreed to now focus his skills and attention on the further development, reform and leadership of the Public Service.”
The Governor added: “I too would record my warm thanks to Dr. Binns for his service as Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service. I have been pleased to work with him and benefit from his advice during my tenure as Governor and look forward to his continuing contribution to maintaining and enhancing the highest standards of the Public Service in Bermuda.”
Update 10.29am: We asked about the cost of splitting in the roles, and in response, the Government said, “The posts of Secretary to the Cabinet and the Head of the Civil Service are both graded at PS 50. The salary is $209,894.19.”
Halelujah. Now we just need to attach a direct reporting structure and regular performance appraisals for these two positions and I will give this administration top marks. The SAGE report is still alive.
LOL in order to increase efficiency, additional sprawl will be added to the swivel service.
We really need someone from the private sector
This will do nothing unless and until there is accountability all the way from the top.
So one person was doing both jobs for $209,894.19 and now there will be two people collecting 209,894.19 each to allow the jobs being separated….. what’s the ROI to justify this “sharper focus on public service reform”?
Exactly my thoughts.
Did I miss the headline that said the country was in the black again and the civil service would benefit with another senior civil servant at top salary?
Buses breaking down, other departments cannot provide the previous levels of service due to austerity measures. Yes, the correct answer is another top level senior civil servant, instead of the 6 – 8 lower level civil servants who actually meet the needs of the public.
Well done!
Da-da duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, circus
Da-da duh-duh-duh-duh-duh.
How will we know if the objective is attained?
Any bets on who will get the position, Friends and Family is still alive , you watch LOL
Due to the specific nature of the salary number, presumably this is after deductions? Is this purely base salary, or all income? Seems like a massive number!
This is before any deductions. The amount taken home is far less than what a similar post in a similar sized organization in the private sector would pay.
The PLP only seem to know how to give jawbs to their mates and spend money.
This is before any deductions. The amount taken home is far less than what a similar post in a similar sized organization in the private sector would pay.
So are they implementing the entire Sage Report, all of it, or are they just picking out the little bits that justify hiring their friends as paper pushers?
It is called politics folks! Their interests first and your interests around election time! Remember who commissioned the Sage report. The report was made to secure the ship that was compromised by the wiles of economic piracy.