Improved service to the public and a more digital public service were among the reforms detailed this morning in the House of Assembly by David Burt as part of a commitment announced four years ago.

The Premier and Minister of Finance said that the Covid-19 pandemic had disrupted work on IT objectives under the reforms unveiled in March 2019 – but more than 80 digital reforms and apps had gone ahead since then.

All public officers are on course to participate in annual performance appraisals and additional “performance-based pay/recognition” will be given to the top 20 per cent.

Mr Burt said the Government was advancing “a centralised training platform accessible by all public officers”, adding that 34 staff had completed a pilot leadership programme.

A succession planning policy has been finished for “all public service roles”.

Meanwhile, the public service’s bonus programme, which gives up to $1,000 annually to technical officers for outstanding performance, is now open to “all segments of the public service”.

Nearly 1,500 public officers have also taken part in “group challenges to encourage healthy lifestyles”, he said.

“In our ongoing effort to improve the service we deliver to the people of Bermuda, a service standards policy has been completed and the Government has now commenced the roll-out of customer service training aligned with this policy.

“Therefore, not only have public officers been informed of the standards we seek to achieve but we have now commenced the work to train all public officers on the standards we expect, supporting them in their role while also providing benefits for the people we serve through improved customer service.”

Mr Burt added that a 2024-27 reform plan was being drafted to continue digital progress and focus on “specific needs of the high-touch departments to increase efficiency in service delivery”.

The Premier told the House that “technology is expected to drive change in the service in the future”.

Jarion Richardson, the Shadow Minister of the Cabinet Office and Economy and Labour, dismissed the Premier’s statement on reforms as mainly just talk.

Speaking outside the parliamentary session, Mr Richardson said: “The Premier excused the lack of Government reform in the House of Assembly while lauding the few items they were able to accomplish.

“He started by reminding the House there was yet another plan gathering dust on some shelf somewhere; this one called Strategic Planning Framework for Government Reform, brought to the House on March 1, 2019.

“The framework comprised six strategic areas: strategy, processes, platform, people, perspective, and performance.

“The Premier spoke to two — neither of which is completed but rather, as he says “have been advanced”.

“In a series of ‘here’s what we’ve done’ statements, he never said how much of the plan was completed or what was left outstanding.

“However, he announced there’s yet another plan, Government Reform Plan 2024 —2027.

“What he persistently fails to realise is that no one wants more projects under way, they want the one project done, completed, 100 per cent.

“Not the never-ending sets of new projects, new spending.

“This is not promises made, promises kept. This is excuses given, with more excuses to come.”

Download PDF File

Premier on public service reforms.pdf

• To read the Premier’s statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.