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 advice, co-ordination and support on matters in relation
to the foreshore and seabed
- the provision advice to the Governor-General, prime ministers and ministers
on constitutional issues, to support the continuity of government
- the provision of impartial secretariat services to Cabinet, Cabinet committees
and the Executive Council, and the promulgation of their decisions
- 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 development and promulgation of information, advice and guidelines
on the nature and operations of the central processes of executive government.
- the provision of policy advice and administration services for the New
Zealand Royal 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 for this measure are:
QUALITY
Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for advice (see below).
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 for this measure are:
QUALITY AND TIMELINESS
- 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.
- Ensure that the Prime Minister and other ministers show a high
level of satisfaction with the advice, coordination and support services
provided in relation to the seabed and foreshore
Performance Standards for this measure are:
QUALITY AND TIMELINESS
- The Prime Minister is satisfied that effective advice and high-quality
and timely information enables her to lead and manage the foreshore
and seabed framework.
- The Prime Minister and other ministers show a high level of satisfaction
with the advice, coordination and support services provided.
- Negotiate annual volume-incentive agreements with all media that
are advantageous to government departments and Crown agencies.
Performance Standards for this measure are:
QUALITY
- Whole-of-government media agreements are based on conditions equivalent
to or better than that applying to similar-sized advertisers in the
private sector.
TIMELINESS
- 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 for this measure are:
QUALITY AND QUANTITY
- 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.
- Agendas and summaries are distributed in a timely manner to ministers
(with most delivered two days before Cabinet and Cabinet Committees).
TIMELINESS
- 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 for this measure are:
QUALITY
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.
TIMELINESS
- 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 $11.129 million including GST. The GST-exclusive figure of $9.893
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.
