DEC 2001
6. CONCLUSIONS
6.1 We have framed our comments as
"observations". It is up to the Cabinet Office to decide how
best to chart the course of events in support of the commitment to
Modernising Government.
6.2 As you prepare for the next phase, the Peer Review Team
would like to leave a few thoughts for your consideration. Modernising
Government is not a project, it is an ongoing journey. It will never end.
It causes impatience, because things can never go fast enough. It requires
the patience not to give up along the way.
6.3 At this juncture you should resist the traditional
bureaucratic temptation to reorganise. Every reorganisation drains energy.
It would run the risk of delaying the reform agenda. Finally, it would be
unwise to add to the reform agenda. Instead, the Cabinet Office should
explore every possible way of reducing the overhead associated with the
Modernising Government agenda. Reducing the number of initiatives,
reports, requests, plans, etc. would raise morale and help maintain the
momentum.
6.4 In closing, the Review Team offers three
recommendations and a wish. The team recommends the following:
1. Do not write a report about this report - Just
do it
2. Hold your nerve - Keep
going
3. Be a role model - Be the
change
6.5 It is a rare opportunity and a great honour to
be given the chance to bring about reforms which could improve the way the
public service fulfils its role in society.
6.6 This opportunity comes with great responsibilities.
It should also give you a sense of pride and a feeling of excitement. Take
it all on board, feel the burden vis-à-vis the future. Accept the
responsibilities, do the hard work and the long hours. However, you should
also savour the excitement and the joy of breaking new ground. You should
feel the pride in the team’s accomplishments and the sheer pleasure of
making a difference.
Be the change, it will change you for ever, this
is our wish. It will be your reward.
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