Good Practice in Action seminar

This second seminar for 2006 examined the principles involved in good management of public resources. Case studies explored issues of accountability, transparency, risk management, equity and fairness while acknowledging Government’s expectations of relationships with the community and voluntary sector as described in the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship.

This seminar was recorded on video and presentations are viewable on the Public Service Intranet.

Presentations included:

Managing public resources: the Auditor-General's expectations

Public entities are accountable for their performance and use of public resources whether they use those resources directly themselves, or whether the resources are distributed to a third party.

The Auditor-General's good practice guide sets out the principles that public entities should take into account when they enter into funding arrangements with NGOs. The guide suggests that public entities should take a principles-based, risk-based and transparent approach.

This presentation explained the rationale for the principles and highlight how they can be taken into account by public entities. Presented by: Gareth Ellis, Sector Manager, Office of the Auditor-General

Risk Management in the Ministry of Social Development

The modern public sector functions in a rapidly changing environment in which Government agencies and NGO’s are required to manage risk at many levels and in many situations.

Risk management provides a source of information that enables greater openness and transparency in decision-making, better outcomes in terms of efficiency and effectiveness, and appropriate development and assessment of opportunities.

MSD Risk and Assurance developed a risk approach that provides a clear understanding of the risks faced by the business, those we partner with, and the practices that are in place to manage them. The presentation shows how this practical approach is applied to the way MSD works with NGOs to ensure successful outcomes for all parties involved.

The Family and Community Services case study illustrates the MSD risk approach in action and focuses on how contract management practices help mitigate the risks associated with contracting service providers in a diverse environment.

Family and Community Services works with other government and non-government organisations to support families and communities to:

• obtain information and advice that will help families and communities solve their own problems
• strengthen participation and cohesion by facilitating community based activities and community responses to social needs
• fund social services to families, and work with social service providers to strengthen the contribution of social services to family and community functioning.

Presented by: Presented by: Jamie Burgess, General Manager Risk and Assurance, Ministry of Social Development, and Marti Eller, General Manager Operations, Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development

Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) case study

EECA administers EnergyWise home grants, working closely with community organisations providing grants to assist retrofits of insulation to pre-1977 low income homes, thereby reducing energy bills, improving health, and providing local employment. Funding is also drawn from the community - from energy and community trusts, primary health organisations, local bodies and commercial sponsors.

This presentation looks at the design challenge of funding allocation mechanisms and the relationships formed with service providers and other funders - critical to the success of EnergyWise home grants.

Presented by: Katie Mathison, Manager, Community Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

Strengthening trust in the State Services: Next steps

This presentation provides a follow up to the very popular May 2006 State Services Commission (SSC) presentation on its Development Goal 6 "strengthened trust in the State services and reinforced spirit of service".

During much of 2005 the State Services Commissioner gathered information from Crown entities about their integrity provision. Informed by that material, this presentation shows what is prposed next.

Presented by: Beith Atkinson, Programme Manager, Integrity and Conduct, State Services Commission