Key recommendation 10. Enabling services should be delivered as efficiently, effectively and professionally as possible, including through the creation of the new Defence Infrastructure and Defence Business Services organisations on which we advised the Defence Secretary earlier in the year. |
a. The Department should keep under review the future scope of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence Business Services as it implements its infrastructure and corporate services transformation programmes. |
b. The DG Finance should be given the authority to direct standards, procedures and staffing for the finance function across the Department, in line with the changes already made to the HR and commercial functions. |
c. As a consequence of the changes recommended here and in Part 9, the Department should look to disestablish the Central TLB. |
12.1 This section sets out our approach to enabling functions and services and in particular our recommendations to set up a Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence Business Services.
12.2 As Part 3 on the organisational framework set out, the work of Defence must also be supported by a range of enabling functions. These functions encompass both the setting of pan-Defence policies, standards and rules in enabling business areas (for example, in the management of military and civilian personnel, finance and commercial) and the delivery or commissioning of particular enabling services, including infrastructure, corporate services and science and technology.
12.3 Prior to the launch of Defence Reform, the Department had initiated work on the future models for the management and delivery of corporate services and infrastructure, in part to ensure that non-front line functions in Defence are being performed as cost-effectively as possible. We reviewed these proposals in order both to assess them on their own merits and to ensure that they were consistent with the overall Defence operating model we have been developing, culminating in advice to the Defence Secretary in January 2011.
12.4 Underpinning our advice was a judgement that, as in the private sector, there are a range of supporting functions which are best performed consistently and on a collective basis for the benefit of Defence and Defence users, for reasons of effectiveness, efficiency and (in some cases) compliance with legislation or other external requirements.