STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES - OUTPUT CLASS PERFORMANCE
D1 - Policy Advice and Secretariat and Co-ordination Services
(Provided by the Policy Advisory Group, the Domestic and External
Security Secretariat (DESS), and the Cabinet Office.)
Description
This class of outputs involves:
- the provision of immediate, medium- and long-term policy advice
of an impartial nature, delivered freely and frankly to the Prime
Minister and, at the Prime Minister’s request, to other ministers
- promotion and facilitation of interdepartmental co-ordination of
policy development and the promotion of a greater collective
approach to performance standards across the State sector through
the formulation and implementation of the government’s key goals
- the provision of constitutional, policy and procedural advice to the
Governor-General, the Prime Minister and, at the Prime Minister’s
direction, other Ministers and government departments
- the provision of advice on the policies, processes and procedures
relating to the Executive Council, Cabinet and Cabinet committees,
including the review of policies and procedures where appropriate
- the co-ordination of the policy and administrative aspects of the
legislative programme as directed by Cabinet Legislation Committee
- the provision of impartial secretariat services to Cabinet, Cabinet
committees and the Executive Council, and the promulgation of
their decisions
- the development and promulgation of information, advice and
guidelines on the nature and operations of the central processes of
executive government
- the provision of advice on the policy aspects of the New Zealand
Honours system, and administration of the Honours system.
Performance Measures – Policy Advice and Co-ordination Services
- Provide effective advice to enable the Prime Minister to
be well informed, and so lead and manage the public policy business of the government.
Performance Standards
QUALITY
Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for advice (see this page).
QUANTITY
As agreed with the Prime Minister.
TIMELINESS
Advice is prepared within the timeframe required.
Quality Criteria for DPMC Advice
Advice provided to our key clients will:
- be based on a full and impartial analysis
of all information from all relevant sources
- relate, where appropriate, to the priorities and key goals of
the Government
- be of high quality (the purpose of the advice is clear, the
assumptions used are explicit, and the arguments followed
are logical; the facts are accurate, and adequate consultation
with interested parties has been undertaken when appropriate;
the advice is practical, is presented effectively, and is
concisely summarised in plain English)
- be presented within specific and agreed deadlines or within
an agreed timeframe.
- Ensure the Prime Minister and other key clients show a high
level of satisfaction with the advice and co-ordination services
provided.
Performance Standards
QUALITY AND TIMLINESS
The Prime Minister is satisfied with the quality,
appropriateness and timeliness of the advice and
co-ordination services provided.
Other key clients are satisfied with the advice and
co-ordination services provided.
- Negotiate annual volume-incentive agreements with all media
that are advantageous to government departments and Crown
agencies.
- Whole-of-government media agreements are based on conditions
equivalent to or better than that applying to similar-sized
advertisers in the private sector.
- All Government volume-incentive agreements – that is, television, radio, and print media – will be negotiated annually
and government agencies notified within 30 days of the outcome.
Performance Measures – Secretariat Services to Cabinet and Executive Council
- Provide impartial, efficient and effective secretariat services to Cabinet and Cabinet committees to ensure they operate smoothly
and within Cabinet’s rules.
Performance Standards
QUALITY AND TIMLINESS
- Minutes are recorded accurately and impartially
(at least 98 per cent of minutes will not require
amendment).
- Well-judged summaries are prepared of
submissions to Cabinet and Cabinet committees.
- Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for
advice (see page 34).
- Agendas and summaries are distributed in a timely
manner to ministers (with most delivered two
days before Cabinet and Cabinet Committees).
TIMLINESS
- Minutes are timely (at least 80 per cent of minutes
are distributed within two days of the meeting
and 95 per cent of minutes are distributed within
three days).
- Promote and safeguard the proper operation of Cabinet and
Cabinet committees.
Performance Standards
QUALITY
- Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for
advice (see page 34).
QUANTITY
- Policies and procedures relating to the central processes of executive government are reviewed as required
- Ministers and officials are informed of ongoing and new Cabinet guidelines and procedures.
TIMLINESS
- The Prime Minister, ministers, officials, and government agencies are informed of Cabinet and Cabinet committee procedures and changes in a
timely manner.
Cost
Policy Advice, Secretariat and Co-ordination Services will be
provided within the sum of $7.104. million including GST. The GST
exclusive figure of $6.315 million will be funded by revenue: Crown.
The department will also administer an appropriation of $20,000
under permanent legislative authority (the NZSIS Amendment Act
(No 2) 1999) for the Commissioner of Security Warrants.
