Sweeping changes to the Civil Service have moved a step closer following the launch of a Public Service Reform initiative “designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness” within the organisation.

In a statement last night, Premier Craig Cannonier said the initiative will “serve as the platform to implement some of the SAGE recommendations that the Government has determined it supports”.

The Savings and Government Efficiency Commission put forward a raft of recommendations to cut costs within the Civil Service last November after spending six months examining how Government administration and bureaucracy could be streamlined.

Based on a UK model, the scheme will also incorporate other major organisational change initiatives which may not be included in the recommendations.

“The cost of running Government and our current debt crisis threatens to destabilise the foundation of the country,” Mr Cannonier said.

“After carefully considering the body of organisational development work that has been undertaken over the past few years, we will now take the immediate and critical next steps to move forward with reforms to modernise and transform the public service into an organisation that is cost effective, purpose driven and efficient.

“This initiative will help us economically and give Bermuda a competitive advantage as we compete globally for foreign direct and indirect investment.

“I am very encouraged by the number of Public Servants who are eager to support the Reform plan because in order to be successful, we’re going to need to harness their talent to find new ways to reduce the bureaucracy and put systems in place that will make our public services more user-friendly, responsive, transparent and innovative.”

According to a spokesman, Government will initially focus on implementing “short-term deliverables”, with the cooperation of civil servants and unions before tackling “more complex initiatives”.

The Premier concluded: “I view this as another great opportunity for us to work together on behalf of the country — because Bermuda deserves a government that is focused on outcomes, not on processes.

“Over the next few days and weeks you can expect to hear more from me about Public Service Reform.”