Latest news with #decentralisation
Times of Oman
20-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Inaugural Governors' Ambassadors Forum kicks off in Muscat
Muscat: The inaugural Governors' Ambassadors Forum, held under the slogan "United by Purpose," began on Tuesday in Muscat Governorate. The event brings together specialists and professionals in project management and administrative governance procedures from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Over three days, the forum will discuss challenges and innovative solutions while presenting work methodologies, contracts, and successful case studies. The forum aims to enhance institutional integration and exchange best practices in contracts and tenders, supporting the government's decentralisation efforts, empowering governorates, and achieving balanced development across Oman. In his opening speech, Eng. Said Hamad Al-Amri, Director General of Tenders at the General Secretariat for Tenders, stated that the Governors' Ambassadors Forum, launched on Tuesday in Muscat, strengthens integration between the Secretariat and governors' offices. It seeks to focus on developmental goals and outcomes by enhancing communication channels and expertise exchange among specialists, as well as reviewing successful project implementation experiences in governorates. This contributes to improving government project efficiency and ensuring cohesive execution of policies and developmental initiatives. He added that the program will be held periodically three times a year—once every four months—with each session hosted in a different governorate selected based on geographic distribution and the number of projects implemented there. Each forum spans three days, featuring field activities, discussion sessions, and site visits to projects. Al Amri explained that the forum aims to share knowledge and experiences among governorates, highlighting key projects, challenges, and developmental opportunities in host governorates. It also seeks to improve communication efficiency between tender offices. Discussion topics include reviewing implemented projects and execution mechanisms, addressing challenges and innovative solutions, presenting work and contract methodologies, and exchanging successful experiences. Additionally, specialized workshops with government stakeholders will be organized. He noted that the programme aims to establish a sustainable communication mechanism among stakeholders in different governorates, enhancing professional performance and contributing to an integrated system for managing projects and tenders—one that considers developmental disparities and economic opportunities in each governorate. Al Amri emphasised that the programme is expected to significantly improve government spending efficiency by enhancing project monitoring, transparency, and accountability, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's priorities in local governance and effective administration. On his turn, Ali Hamad Al Azki, Director General of Financial and Administrative Affairs in Muscat Governorate, stated that the forum is an opportunity to enhance capabilities and develop working tools for governors' offices, in line with decentralization efforts to broaden governorates' authority. This contributes to balanced and sustainable development across all governorates. He added that the forum reflects a unified vision, starting in Muscat, to achieve institutional integration and build a comprehensive national system involving all governorates. This will help improve administrative governance and develop an integrated framework. Meanwhile, Rasha Mohammed Al Salti, Director of Development and Price Indicators at the General Secretariat of the Tender Board, stated that hosting the Governors' Ambassadors Forum will have a tangible positive impact on supporting sustainable development in Oman. She added that the forum represents a key opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the Tender Board and governors' offices, facilitating information and expertise exchange among various entities. It also serves as a platform to enhance government performance by showcasing successful experiences and best practices, positively reflecting on the quality of developmental project execution. She noted that the forum will develop specialists' skills through discussion sessions and workshops, boosting their efficiency in managing projects and tenders. It will also encourage innovation by addressing developmental challenges and proposing solutions, fostering creative problem-solving. She emphasised that the forum will focus on developmental disparities and economic opportunities among governorates, reinforcing efforts toward balanced development that meets local community needs and supports Oman Vision 2040. The forum includes specialized sessions and workshops reviewing governorates' experiences in project and contract management, focusing on key shared challenges and solutions. On the second day, participants will conduct field visits to vital projects in Muscat, including Oman Botanic Garden, Sultan Haitham City, the Al Ansab–Al Jifnain Road project, and the Green Walkway—bridging theory with practical application and promoting hands-on experience exchange. The forum concludes on the third day with specialized working papers presented by experts from Muscat Governorate and the Tender Board, discussing key trends and future opportunities in project management and government procurement. This first-of-its-kind forum is organised by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board in cooperation with governorates and will be held periodically on a rotating basis among governorates—a step toward unifying practices and developing institutional tools in contracts and tenders.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Thousands of civil servants to be moved out of London as Government cuts costs
Thousands of civil servants are set to be relocated outside of London as the government looks to reduce costs and "radically reform the state". The move will see 12,000 civil service jobs shifted from the capital to new regional hubs, with 11 London office buildings slated for closure, including one of the government's largest Westminster sites. The projected savings are estimated at £94 million annually by 2032. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, stated the government is committed to decentralising decision-making, moving it "closer to communities all across the UK." Government departments are now tasked with submitting relocation plans for their staff, including senior officials, as part of the upcoming spending review. The deadline for these submissions is 11 June. This initiative will lead to the establishment of two major new 'campuses': one in Manchester focusing on digital innovation and artificial intelligence, and another in Aberdeen specialising in energy. Both cities already have a significant government presence. Manchester houses substantial offices for the science and culture departments, while Aberdeen is the location of the newly established Great British Energy headquarters. Other roles will be created in Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, Darlington, Newcastle and Tyneside, Sheffield, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and York, with the changes expected to bring £729 million to the local economy by 2030. Among the offices being closed in London is 102 Petty France, one of the largest Government offices in the capital and home to around 7,000 civil servants in the Ministry of Justice, HM Courts and Tribunal Service, Crown Prosecution Service and the Government Legal Department. The Government will also close 39 Victoria Street, which has been home to the Department of Health and Social Care since the end of 2017. Mr McFadden said: 'By relocating thousands of Civil Service roles, we will not only save taxpayers money, we will make this Government one that better reflects the country it serves. 'We will also be making sure that Government jobs support economic growth throughout the country. 'As we radically reform the state, we are going to make it much easier for talented people everywhere to join the Civil Service and help us rebuild Britain.' Around 80% of civil servants – more than 400,000 people – already work outside London, but the most senior mandarins tend to be based in the capital. Under Wednesday's proposals, half of senior civil service roles would be based outside London by 2030. Prospect union general secretary Mike Clancy welcomed the plans to 'increase and empower' civil servants based outside London, but called for more clarity on the role of arm's-length bodies outside the capital. He added: 'We have been here before with similar announcements, if this one is to be different, Government needs to work closely with unions both on specific relocation plans and on the wider Civil Service reform agenda.' The Government has previously pledged to cut the total number of civil servants in an effort to make the British state 'leaner' and 'more productive'. Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, also welcomed the proposals to move more staff out of London and allow them to 'build careers for the longer term across the UK'. But he added: 'There will also be uncertainty for the thousands of civil servants affected by the office closures announced today. 'We need to hear quickly from the departments affected how this will be managed, not least how they will be affected by the office closures, relocation of roles out of London and reduction in headcount all happening at the same time.' The Tories said the announcement showed the Government was 'fundamentally unserious' about reducing the size of the state and working more efficiently. Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart MP said: 'Labour themselves admit that they have set up at least 29 new quangos since entering office whilst Angela Rayner and her ministers also appear to have never used their offices outside of London – and are instead shutting them down. 'It's clear Keir Starmer is taking the public for fools – shuffling things around and making empty promises. Only the Conservatives are serious about reducing the size of the state and making it work more efficiently for British taxpayers.'
