Having a strong capability to Deliver
Effective Management of Prosecution Costs
The CPS continues to develop its management of prosecution costs in order to gain efficiency improvements. In June 2006, CPS implemented the Very High Cost Case (VHCC) contract scheme across all 42 Areas. The new VHCC arrangements require the CPS and external counsel to operate within a contract-type arrangement for cases that are due to last eight weeks or more. The contract sets fixed hourly rates for external counsel at the beginning of a case and enables the work of counsel to be effectively managed in eight to 12 week stages.
The CPS applies Case Management Panel arrangements to all substantial prosecutions, enabling the DPP, at a national level, and CCPs at a local level, to ensure consistent oversight of the most serious, costly and complex criminal cases prosecuted by the Service. The success of these important cases is built on well-constructed strategies that are developed at the outset of the CPS’s involvement, in terms of the scope and breadth of the case, tactical decisions made, and the resources - both internal and external - assigned to its preparation and presentation. The Panels provide assurances to the Attorney General and wider CJS community that appropriate consideration has been given to all pertinent issues surrounding the launch and continuation of any substantial prosecution case and that the case is kept under regular review.
Maximising the use of COMPASS
The COMPASS Programme is a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) between the CPS and LogicaCMG and gives CPS prosecutors, caseworkers and administrators the technology they need to deliver a constantly improving, modern and efficient service to the public. The CPS is committed to making sure that its investment in COMPASS produces real improvements in terms of more effective prosecutions, efficiency gains and value for money. The second COMPASS Benefits Annual Report for the CPS - giving an overview of achievements for 2005-06 - was published in September 2006.
CPS Business Information Systems Directorate was shortlisted in the Public Services category of the 'Computer Weekly' Best Places to work in IT Awards 2007. This year the awards, which recognise the efforts of employers in creating a positive working environment in IT, attracted entries from 55 organisations.
Capability Review
One of Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell's key priorities is to improve the capability of the Civil Service to meet today's delivery objectives and to be ready for the challenges of tomorrow. To achieve this, Departmental Capability Reviews have been developed that will both assess how well equipped Departments are to meet these delivery challenges, and provide targeted support to make any improvements required.
The CPS underwent a full Capability Review in April/May 2007. In preparation for this, the CPS undertook an early self-assessment during autumn 2006 to identify potential areas for improvement. Work is now being undertaken to address actions.
CSR 2007
The CSR 2007 settlement for the Law Officers’ Departments was announced as part of the Budget on 21 March 2007. The settlement identified a number of ambitious value for money reforms to be taken forward by the CPS and the other Law Officers’ Departments throughout 2008-11. PSA targets for this period are being finalised and will be published in autumn 2007.
Estates Management
During the year, the CPS instructed its managing agents to directly manage its Business Rates. The anticipated benefits were that the CPS is assured that the correct sum is being paid, opportunities for one-off and long-term savings are maximised and there is a saving in respect of time for CPS staff. Within this year, this has resulted in cashable savings of £800,000 (against Business Rates expenditure of £6.1 million).
The CPS continues to develop and implement its Estates Management Strategy in order to ensure the property infrastructure is able to meet the current and foreseen future requirements to support frontline business and to secure best value for money. The accommodation cost per head for 2006-07 was £5,119.
Improved Procurement
In 2006-07 the CPS has continued its work on eProcurement by agreeing to implement a purchase to pay (P2P) system utilising the OGC-sponsored Zanzibar system. The CPS will be the first government department to use Zanzibar's full capability, which is forecast to deliver significant savings through making the P2P process more efficient, and providing better data and controls to manage the CPS expenditure.
The CPS led a procurement for the Law Officers' Departments to deliver a new HR database - the first major collaboration on procurement involving all Law Officers’ Departments. The Service has delivered efficiency savings of £3.7 million through procurement.
The CPS is undertaking a review of procurement through the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) certification process, which will lead to certification that the CPS follows best practice in its procurement processes. The Service has also carried out an Equality Impact Assessment on procurement and is reviewing itself against the Sustainable Procurement Task Force's (SPTF) Flexible Framework.
Sustainable Development
Andy Walker, Head of Estates and Tim Dexter, Sustainable Development Advisor
Working with the Law Officers' Departments, the CPS is committed to improving performance on sustainable development. This year the CPS has increased the use of Renewable Energy to 79%, and initiated a replacement scheme for IT equipment that includes the installation of more energy efficient products. To improve staff awareness of sustainable development articles have been published in the CPS in-house journal, ‘CPS News’. The articles have not only reported on progress but also demonstrated how staff can be 'green' both in the office and at home.
A new Joint Law Officers' Departments Sustainable Development Action Plan has been produced and will be published shortly. The plan was reviewed by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) and was classed as 'Gaining Momentum'. The new plan has taken on board the SDC's comments.
The CPS continues to work to ensure that appropriate aspects of sustainable development are included in criteria when evaluating suppliers for the provision of goods and services. Suppliers are actively encouraged to put forward innovative solutions that address sustainable development.
Social and Community Issues
The CPS is also committed to addressing social and community issues. Working with CJS partners and other public sector and voluntary organisations the CPS has launched and participated in a number of initiatives to address social and community concerns. These include:
- Improving community engagement;
- Tackling hate crime;
- Supporting the Drug Interventions Programme;
- Improving victim and witness care;
- Issuing Conditional Cautions;
- Issuing the Children and Young People Policy Statement;
- Undertaking public consultation on key policy matters; and
- Contributing to the success of the Community Justice Centres.
Further information on the work of the CPS in these areas can be found throughout this report.
