| Twenty-First Annual Report 1998-99 | Annex A – Introductory Note |
| Departmental Annual Reports Financial Year 1998-99 | ||||||
| Introductory note by the Chairman of the Board of Management | ||||||
| The enclosed Annual Reports set out for each Department of the House: | ||||||
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| During the past year, the Board of Management has made significant progress in securing greater financial discipline and value for money. In August 1998, new financial policies were introduced, giving clearer delegations and responsibilities to departments, and requiring preparation and approval of business cases for large investment decisions. In addition, budgets for 1999-2000 and subsequent years have been constrained, leading to a need for greater economy and effectiveness in managing resources against continuing increases in demand for services. | ||||||
| Departments are meeting a number of new challenges, for example as a result of the recommendations of the Modernisation Committee. These recommendations, as and when they are adopted, will have an impact on resource requirements; but it is too early to predict the longer-term effects. | ||||||
| The recall of Parliament in September 1998 meant that parts of the summer programme of works were interrupted, leading to some additional costs. | ||||||
| A major initiative during the year was the launch of a convergence programme for information technology. This involves upgrading the whole of the Parliamentary data network and many of the departments' IT systems. The aim is to provide a millennium-compliant network and services, based on common IT standards, to provide a resilient infrastructure capable of future development. The main elements of the convergence programme will be completed during the summer recess 1999. | ||||||
| A survey of Members and their staff was conducted in January 1999, covering the main services provided by departments. The findings on quality and standards of service were encouraging, with high levels of satisfaction in most areas. The survey, however, indicated areas where Members would like additional services or improvements to existing services. These will be addressed by departments over the coming year. | ||||||
| 1998-99 saw a lot of contact with those most closely associated with setting up the devolved assemblies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. This involved advice on setting up administrative processes, and arrangements for sharing information between Westminster and the devolved assemblies. We expect these arrangements to be consolidated during 1999-2000. | ||||||
| The Commission is presently considering a report by Mr Michael Braithwaite on the "system of management and decision-making responsibilities for services to the House which was set up following the inquiry in 1990 by Sir Robin Ibbs". Any agreed structural or operational changes affecting Departments of the House and their staff will be put in hand in the forthcoming year. Also before the Commission is a mid-term review of the Portcullis House project, prepared by Messrs Northcroft, Chartered Quantity Surveyors. The implementation of Commission decisions arising from this document will also be commented on in the 1999-2000 report. | ||||||
| Staff resources by pay band within departments are shown in the Accounting Officer's report at page 79. | ||||||
| A chart showing the overall organisation of the House Administration under the Commission is on page 16. | ||||||
| W R McKay Clerk of the House of Commons | ||||||
| June 1999 | ||||||
 
 
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| © Parliamentary copyright 1999 | Prepared 27 July 1999 |