Staff reductions drive savings at Education

Friday 20 July 2018

Staff reductions and role-restructures will save Guernsey's Education, Sport and Culture Committee hundreds of thousands of pounds per year from 2019.

Outgoing ESC Chief Secretary Gus Paterson led the review of the staff structure, which had objectives of creating efficiency savings and ensuring the office was best placed to advise and support the Committee in "fulfilling its substantial policy agenda."

Mr Paterson said, reforming the staff structure had been a priority for him when taking on the role.

"I would like to thank my colleagues for their support and understanding during this period of transition. While the review of staff structure was undoubtedly unsettling for some colleagues, I believe the changes will stand my successor and the Committee in good stead as they carry out their large and important mandate."

Mr Paterson leaves his role in September and will be succeeded by Colette Falla.

Committee President, Deputy Matt Fallaize (pictured above) said he had inherited a vast overspend, and regaining control of the budget had been a priority.

“At the time the Committee was elected in February, it faced a predicted overspend of nearly £4m for 2018. By the end of this year the Committee anticipates having reduced this sum by £400,000 or more. Then the efficiency savings by restructuring the Education Office will be realised from 2019. In its 2019 Budget submission the Committee will outline a clear plan to bring its budget back into balance in the medium term. 

“We have consistently said that we are not prepared to meet our budget challenges by making short-term cuts or indeed any cuts which are detrimental to our core services in education, sport and culture. We will meet them by long-term transformation, including reforming secondary and post-16 education, reducing the States’ contribution to the grant-aided colleges, restructuring the Education Office and wherever possible implementing recommendations included in last year’s PWC benchmarking review.”

The savings were substantial progress, he said, and although some staff had been moved to other committee areas, “the majority of the savings are to the long-term benefit of the States as a whole.”

“The Committee recognises that this has been a challenging period for some staff working within the Education Office," he said. "However, the Committee believes the changes were necessary and is delighted with the progress made. The Committee appreciates the service of the many capable and dedicated officers who are based at the Education Office and will play a key role influencing and implementing the policy agenda which lies ahead.”

Policy & Resources President, Deputy Gavin St Pier said: “It is clear that significant savings will be generated by the restructuring from 2019 onwards. The changes, which have been achieved in a relatively short timeframe, highlight the commitment of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture to improve its financial position – and that can only be welcomed.”