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MSPs attack public sector job relocation

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Published Date: 02 March 2007
By RHIANNON EDWARD
THE Scottish Executive's controversial policy of relocating public-sector jobs throughout the country has been heavily criticised by MSPs.
Ministers introduced the policy in 1999, with the aim of spreading the benefits of devolution.

But in a damning report, Holyrood's audit committee

said it was "disappointed to observe that the relocation of organisations to date is not delive
ring a true dispersal of jobs throughout Scotland".

Members also concluded that the implementation of the policy had been flawed and inconsistent.

They blasted ministers for failing to give full explanations of relocation decisions. The report branded this "unacceptable" and MSPs called on the Executive to deliver on a promise made in 2004 that each relocation announcement would be accompanied by a full statement outlining the reasons.

The committee report was also scathing of the decision to move Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) from its base in Edinburgh to Inverness.

It said arguments put forward by ministers for the move did not justify the change.

And with the committee reporting the total cost for the move was likely be in the region of £30 million, the MSPs said it did not provide value for money.

Brian Monteith, the committee's convener, said: "The principles of the Executive's relocation policy attracted widespread support, but concerns have emerged over the way in which it has been put into practice."

The independent MSP added: "The methodology used by the Executive to decide on the relocation of organisations has proved a blunt instrument which has failed to deliver a true dispersal of jobs throughout Scotland."

In the case of SNH, Mr Monteith said: "The committee decided that the relocation does not provide value for money."

The report comes after a study by Audit Scotland last year found that the benefits of the relocation policy were "unclear".

Since 1999, 38 organisations, employing 3,855 staff have undergone relocation reviews. The majority of these have been based in Edinburgh and a total of 2,432 jobs have been moved out of the capital, with another 260 in the process of moving.



The full article contains 346 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 01 March 2007 11:05 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Public bodies relocation
 
1

www.scottwebb.co.uk,

02/03/2007 00:25:23

All MSPs are starting to look like bought and paid for jokes that only react to what the people find out :)

2

I'm no really here,

02/03/2007 09:30:59

Yea #1 There goes another bandwagon. Do you know, that if it wasn't for the Internet and forums like this - I would be believing them.

3

Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD,

Dar-Es-Salaam Tanzania 02/03/2007 09:51:24

MSPs attack public sector job relocation
RHIANNON EDWARD
I am not there. Id this Members of Scotish Parliament. And who are these.
Members also concluded that the implementation of the policy had been flawed and inconsistent.

4

Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD,

Dar-Es-Salaam Tanzania 02/03/2007 09:52:10

ooops the power failure it is iS this not Id this we are in Tanzania

5

bill-alba,

fife 02/03/2007 10:52:00

It is a good idea but unfortunately not practical for most jobs..

6

Big Wullie,

Glasgow 02/03/2007 22:22:23

Was this another one of their secret meetings?
When are our Government going to learn to be Honest and transparent?
Once in power the big Carrot is dangled in front of them and they will do anything to stay in power including Covering up cases of Miscarriages of justice like my case.
Not an MSP will ask Justice Minister for enquiry into conduct of SCCRC.
I complained to Justice and First Ministers that i did not get a fair hearing from SCCRC, What did they do, Nothing is the ANSWER They should be sacked.
Surely they have a duty to investigate allegations of Malpractice and Misconduct in any of their Judicial Agencies?
Please view video link below and view all comments on both my videos. They represent my Grounds of appeal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WhJUjhequ4

7

Big Wullie,

Glasgow 02/03/2007 22:37:14

In our Government its not what you know Its who you know.
I will vote for anyone who says Crown will be held responsible for not releasing Exculpatory evidence in every case handled by them.
Defence teams should have access to every piece of evidence available to them.
In my case Crown has sought to use data protection and public interest tests not to release such documents. But Government are made to reveal why they went to war with Iraq.
My god all i was charged with was assault & robbery and not with stealing the Crown Jewels.
I am Sure Government are applying public Interest test because i am complaining of the person who got the Lockerbie Bomber Found Guilty.
What other reason could there be for applying this test to my case which is twenty five years old.
They should release to me without hindering my appeal much longer the ID Parade Reports, and copies of all crown witness statements.
By not doing this they are breaching my right to a fair hearing, Section 6 human rights.
For two years now crown has Suppressed my applications for these documents and hindered my Appeal to SCCRC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WhJUjhequ4

8

GP,

03/03/2007 09:56:12

I have exposed this in many posts.
re-location in the main has been from Edinburgh to Glasgow for no other reason than self interest.
Civil servants from glasgow given the power to relocate jobs at unidentified costs just so they don't have to travel far. Whilst the builidngs they used previously are locked in to long leases Argyle house for one. A disgrace!!
Re-location to places susch as borders highlands etc does work can work and should work. It is purely because the leaders of these organisatinos then do not wish to be away from the central power base that it fails. The technology is here to reduce these fears but then again if they are scared then perhaps they are not fit their role anyway.


 

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