Statement of Forecast Service Performance
Output Class 1 Service Performance:
Policy advice and secretariat and co-ordination services
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
- the promotion and facilitation of interdepartmental co-ordination of policy advice and the promotion of a more collaborative approach to performance across the state sector, including through the formulation and implementation of the government’s key priorities
- the co-ordination of central government activities aimed at protecting New Zealand’s domestic and external security, including intelligence, counter-terrorism response and preparedness, emergency/crisis management and preparedness, and external defence deployments
- the provision of advice to the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and ministers on constitutional issues relating to the conduct of executive government, to support the conduct and continuity of government within accepted conventions and practices
- 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, and the adaptation of these as required
- the co-ordination of the policy and administrative aspects of the legislative programme as directed by Cabinet Legislation Committee
- advice on central-government decision-making processes
- the provision of policy advice and administrative support for the New Zealand Royal Honours system.
Policy advice and co-ordination services
- Provide high-quality information, analysis and advice to enable the Prime Minister to lead and manage the public-policy business of the government.
Performance standards (quality, quantity and timeliness) are:
- Advice meets the department’s quality criteria (see box).
- The Prime Minister and the Governor-General are satisfied that the advice provided meets their requirements.
- Other key clients, including ministers, are satisfied with the advice and co-ordination services provided.
Performance measures are:
- formal feedback sought from the Prime Minister and the Governor-General in the course of the year on the range of advice and support received, and on specific issues as they arise.
Quality criteria for DPMC advice
Advice provided will:
- be based on a full and impartial analysis of information from relevant sources
- relate, as 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 in a timely fashion or within an agreed or required timeframe.
Secretariat services to Cabinet and Executive Council
- Provide impartial and effective advice to the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and ministers to: support the proper and effective operation of the key institutions of executive government; and ensure that the constitutional processes involving the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and ministers are appropriately facilitated and supported.
Performance standards are:
- Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for advice (see box above).
- Advice meets the requirements of the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
- Feedback is positive.
Performance measures are:
- feedback sought from the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
- Provide impartial, efficient and effective secretariat services to Cabinet and Cabinet committees to ensure they operate smoothly and within Cabinet’s rules.
Performance standards are:
- 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 box above).
- Agendas and summaries are distributed in a timely manner to ministers (with most delivered two days before Cabinet and Cabinet committees).
- 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).
Performance measures are:
- statistics produced on the level of timeliness and accuracy
- formal feedback sought from the Prime Minister during the course of the year, and from other ministers from time to time.
- Provide impartial and effective advice to the Prime Minister and ministers to support the proper operation of Cabinet and Cabinet committees.
Performance standards are:
- Advice meets the department’s quality criteria for advice (see box above).
- Advice meets the requirements of the Prime Minister.
- Policies and procedures relating to the central processes of executive government are reviewed as required and reflect, as appropriate, the best practices in countries with systems similar to that of New Zealand.
- The Prime Minister, ministers, officials, and government agencies are informed of Cabinet and Cabinet committee procedures and changes in a timely manner.
- Feedback is positive.
Performance measures are:
- formal feedback sought from the Prime Minister during the course of the year, and from other ministers from time to time.
Cost
Policy advice, secretariat and co-ordination services will be provided within the sum of $8.201 million to be funded by revenue: Crown. The department will also administer an appropriation of $30,000 under permanent legislative authority (the NZSIS Amendment Act [No 2] 1999) for the Commissioner of Security Warrants.
