FIRST SESSION OF THE 12TH PARLIAMENT

FINANCIAL SCRUTINY UNIT

OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENT OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

HEAD 06: SERVICE COMMISSIONS DEPARTMENT A summary of the Department’s Expenditure, Divisions and Projects Total Allocation $79,478,900.00 0.1% of the Total National Budget

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Publication

An electronic copy of this Guide can be found on the Parliament website: www.ttparliament.org

All correspondence should be addressed to:

The Secretary

Standing Finance Committee

Office of the Parliament

Cabildo Building

Parliamentary Complex

St. Vincent Street,

Port of Spain

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Tel: (868) 624-7275; Fax: (868) 625-4672

Email: standingfinance@ttparliament.org

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Table of Contents

About this Guide ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Head 06: Service Commissions ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

Where the Department spends its money ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

2020-2021 Estimates of Expenditure ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Supplementation of Appropriation for the fiscal year 2020 ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Key Statement from 2019 Standing Finance Committee Debate .................................................................................................................................................... 8

The Department’s total allocation as a percentage of the National Budget for the period 2014 to 2021 .................................................................................. 9

Summary of Recurrent Expenditure for the period 2014-2021 ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

Staff and Pay ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

The Department’s total allocation as a percentage of the National Budget for the period 2014 to 2021 ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Analysis of Summary Expenditure .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Summary of Development Programme Expenditure for the period 2014 – 2021 ...................................................................................................................... 17

Public Sector Investment Programme 2020/2021 Projections ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Major Programmes and Development for the Period 2017 to 2020 ............................................................................................................................................. 19

Committee Reports Related to the Service Commission ............................................................................................................................................................... 20

General Useful Information ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22

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About this Guide This guide provides a summary of expenditure for Service Commissions for the period 2014-2021. It provides the Members of Parliament

and their stakeholders with an overview of the Department’s responsibilities. The primary purpose of this guide is to consolidate all of

the information contained within the various Budget Documents pertaining to the Service Commissions and provide readers with an

analysis of same. This guide is based primarily on:

the Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure;

the Draft Estimates of Development Programme; and

the Public Sector Investment Programme.

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Head 06: Service Commissions Overview The Service Commissions Department is the Secretariat of the four (4) constitutionally entrenched Service Commissions: the Police Service

Commission, the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and the Teaching Service Commission. The 1962 and 1976 Constitutions sought

to insulate the various Services from political influence exercised directly upon then by the Government of the day. To guarantee that

status of the respective Services, legal and procedural safeguards were put in place making the Service Commissions fully autonomous

and vesting in them, to the exclusion of any either person or authority, the power to make appointments to the relevant Service,

promotions and transfers within the Service and power to remove and exercise disciplinary control over the members thereof. Further,

the Service Commissions are precluded by the Constitution from forming any part of the Service of the State (Section 3) (4) (b) (iii) of the

Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago)1.

The Service Commissions provide the following functions as enshrined in the Constitution2:-

Appointments: - The Commissions in making appointments to the Services under their jurisdiction ensure that the persons being

appointed satisfy the pre-requisites of integrity, skill, ability, training and experience and any other criteria laid down in their Regulations.

Appointments are made without discrimination, prejudice or political influence of any kind. For the Commissions, fairness and equality

of opportunity is the right of every citizen.

Promotions: - The Commissions are guided by the principles and criteria laid down in their Regulations. Training, experience, merit

and ability and relative seniority of all eligible officers are among the criteria considered, along with relevant promotion examinations

such as are held for entry into the administrative class or Prisons and Fire Services.

Transfers: - The Commissions have set out specific regulations to guide the process of transfers within their Services. If transfers are to

be made from one Service to another, the respective Service Commissions must consult each other before the transfer can be done.

1 Service Commissions Department. The role, function and jurisdiction of the Service Commissions. Accessed: September 16, 2020. Available: https://www.scd.org.tt/index.php/about-us/role-of-scd 2 Service Commissions Department. Functions. Accessed: September 16, 2020. Available: https://www.scd.org.tt/index.php/about-us/role-of-scd

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Exercise Disciplinary Control: - Disciplinary proceedings against officers in the Services (other than the office of Judge in the Judicial and

Legal Service) are governed by the respective Regulations. The role of the Commissions in disciplinary matters is that of an independent

and impartial body that receives complaints or allegations of misconduct which have contravened any relevant Codes of Conduct set

down by the Employer or which are in breach of any implied terms and conditions of the particular Service.

Vision: - A team of human resource specialists committed to excellence in service and meeting customer needs through timely and

quality services3.

Mission: - To revolutionize SCD processes and services by leveraging technology to provide robust advisory services to our clients,

support the Commission's monitoring and policy responsibilities and to do so through our core values4.

Director of Personnel Administration (Ag.): Mrs. Debra Parkinson

Deputy Director of Personnel Administration: Mr. Corey Harrison

Deputy Director of Personnel Administration: Mr. Martel Waldron

3 Service Commissions Department. Vision, mission and core values. Accessed: September 16, 2020. Available: https://www.scd.org.tt/index.php/about-us/vision-mission-core-values 4 Service Commissions Department. Vision, mission and core values. Accessed: September 16, 2020. Available: https://www.scd.org.tt/index.php/about-us/vision-mission-core-values

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Where the Department spends its money

2020-2021 Estimates of Expenditure

The budget allocation of $74,298,5505 for the Service Commission is comprised of:

The Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure in the sum of $74, 298,550.

The Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure include:

Personnel Expenditure - $45,269,450;

Goods and Services - $28,876,100;

Minor Equipment Purchases - $53,000; and

Current Transfers and Subsidies-$100,000.

Percentage Allocation of the Service Commissions is as follows:

Recurrent Expenditure as a percentage of the total Recurrent Expenditure budget is 0.13%;

5 Ministry of Finance website – Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure for the financial year 2021. Accessed: October 09, 2020. Available: https://www.finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Draft-Estimates-of-Recurrent-Expenditure-2021-3.pdf

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Supplementation of Appropriation for the fiscal year 2020 During fiscal 2019/2020, it was necessary to have a Supplementation of Appropriation of resources to fund urgent and critical Recurrent

and Capital Expenditure in areas where insufficient or no allocation was provided. The source of these additional funds was the

Consolidated Fund.

Service Commission requested and was granted the following supplementations:

Recurrent Expenditure - $2,142,000

02/001/08 – Rent Lease Office Accommodation and Storage - $2,142,000 The sum is required to supplement the 2020 allocation to facilitate the payment of rent for several properties to year ending September, 2020.6.

6 Second Report of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on the Consideration of Proposals for the Supplementation of Appropriation for the fiscal year 2020. Fifth Session of the Eleventh Parliament 2019/2020.Accesed: September 16,2020. Available: http://ttparliament.org/reports/p11-s5-J-20200612-SFC-R2-Fiscal2020.pdf

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Key Statement from 2019 Standing Finance Committee Debate During the Standing Finance Committee on the Consideration of Proposals for the Supplementation of Appropriation for the fiscal year

20207, the following statement was made in relation to the justification for the supplementation to the Service Commission for fiscal year

2019/2020:

“It is noteworthy that upon the approval and implementation of the recommendations of the concluded institutional strengthening exercise, the

Service Commissions Department hopes to evolve into a future state that will enhance the provision of improved technical support, predominantly

providing improved oversight and monitoring of Ministries, Departments and government agencies.”

- Minister of Public Administration

7 Standing Finance Committee Hansard, Fifth Session, 11th Parliament. Accessed: September 18, 2020: Available: http://www.ttparliament.org/legislations/hh20191021SFC.pdf

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The Department’s total allocation as a percentage of the National Budget for the period 2014 to 2021

Year[1] Total Allocation[2] National Budget[3] Percentage of National Budget

2014 $84,158,268.00 $65,020,886,424.00 0.12%

2015 $101,617,179.00 $61,966,922,675.00 0.16%

2016 $78,918,910.00 $56,573,913,053.00 0.14%

2017 $72,279,506.00 $54,883,153,410.00 0.13%

2018 $80,257,422.00 $54,211,726,813.00 0.15%

2019 $75,503,671.00 $54,581,467,181.00 0.14%

2020 $75,865,500.00 $57,252,443,354.00 0.13%

2021 $74,298,550.00 $56,788,359,151.00 0.13%

Total allocation for the Department as a percentage of the National Budget maintained a range between 0.13% to 0.15% during the

periods 2016/2017 and 2020/2021.

[1] For the Fiscal Years 2013-2017, actual figures were used to calculate the Department’s total allocation. However, estimates were used to determine the Department’s total allocation for the Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019. [2] Total Allocation for the Service Commissions = Recurrent Expenditure + Consolidated Fund [3] The National Budget= Total Recurrent Expenditure + Total Development Programme Consolidated Fund

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Summary of Recurrent Expenditure for the period 2014-2021

2014 Actual 2015 Actual 2016 Actual 2017 Actual 2018 Actual 2019 Actual2020 Revised

Esitmates2021 Estimates

01 Personnel Expenditure 38,000,455 50,942,081 39,316,326 40,624,181 42,937,511 44,693,679 45,269,450 45,269,450

02 Goods and Services 42,780,465 45,613,444 37,067,488 29,200,770 34,872,607 29,314,882 28,876,100 28,876,100

03 Minor Equipment Purchases 3,109,773 5,061,654 1,244,202 249,507 256,379 42,438 53,000 53,000

04 Current Transfers and Subsidies 0 0 0 0 0 0 100,000 100,000

Total 83,890,693 101,617,179 77,628,016 70,074,458 78,066,497 74,050,999 74,298,550 74,298,550

0

20,000,000

40,000,000

60,000,000

80,000,000

100,000,000

120,000,000

Summary of Recurrent Expenditure for Service Commission for the period 2014-2021

01 Personnel Expenditure 02 Goods and Services 03 Minor Equipment Purchases 04 Current Transfers and Subsidies Total

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45%

51%

4%

2014 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure

02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases

50%45%

5%

2015 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure

02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases

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51%48%

1%

2016 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure

02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases

58%

42%

0%

2017 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure

02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases

13

55%

45%

0% 0%

2018 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure 02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases 04 Current Transfers and Subsidies

60%

40%

0.05%

2019 Actual

01 Personnel Expenditure 02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases 04 Current Transfers and Subsidies

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61%39%

0.1%0.14

2020 Revised Esitmates

01 Personnel Expenditure 02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases 04 Current Transfers and Subsidies

61%39%

0.1% 0.14

2021 Estimates

01 Personnel Expenditure 02 Goods and Services

03 Minor Equipment Purchases 04 Current Transfers and Subsidies

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Staff and Pay8 The allocation of staff expenditure for the fiscal year 2020/2021 is $50,308,050.00 which remained the same when comparing the last fiscal

year 2019/2020. The diagram presented below provides a breakdown of all staff related expenditure from the years 2014-2020.

8 Ministry of Finance website – Draft Estimates of Recurrent Expenditure for the financial year 2021. Accessed: October 09, 2020. Available: https://www.finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Draft-Estimates-of-Recurrent-Expenditure-2021-3.pdf

PersonnelExpenditure

UniformsTravelling andSubsistence

ContractEmployment

TrainingShort-Term

Employment

EmployeesAssistance

ProgrammeTotals

2017 Actual $40,624,181.00 $35,544.00 $1,237,642.00 $1,909,789.00 $33,594.00 $1,491,219.00 $18,338.00 $45,350,307.00

2018 Actual $42,937,511.00 $37,296.00 $1,785,079.00 $2,982,243.00 $- $153,347.00 $2,025.00 $47,897,501.00

2019 Actual $44,693,679.00 $36,931.00 $1,611,006.00 $1,594,754.00 $3,500.00 $1,006,588.00 $1,350.00 $48,947,808.00

2020 Revised Esitmates $45,269,450.00 $32,600.00 $1,929,000.00 $1,321,000.00 $- $1,756,000.00 $- $50,308,050.00

2021 Estimates $45,269,450.00 $32,600.00 $1,929,000.00 $1,321,000.00 $- $1,756,000.00 $- $50,308,050.00

$-

$10,000,000.00

$20,000,000.00

$30,000,000.00

$40,000,000.00

$50,000,000.00

$60,000,000.00

Summary of Staff and Pay Expenditure for the period 2014-2021

2017 Actual 2018 Actual 2019 Actual 2020 Revised Esitmates 2021 Estimates

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Analysis of Summary Expenditure

Recurrent Expenditure refers to the payments for expenses which are incurred during the day-to-day operations of the Department for

Personnel Expenditure, Goods and Services, Minor Equipment Purchases and Current Transfers and Subsidies.

Recurrent Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 is $79,478,900. This represents 0.13% of the total Recurrent Expenditure for the

financial year 2019/2020.

For the fiscal 2020/2021, the largest portion of the allocation has gone to Sub-Head 01 Personnel Expenditure. This figure has

fallen within a similar range over the period 2014-2021, accounting for approximately 57% of total recurrent funding for the

Department for fiscal year 2020/2021 for the day to day operations of the Department.

Minor Equipment Purchases received the lowest percentage of the allocation for the period 2014 to 2021 with a mean percentage

of 1.4%.

Goods and Services received the second largest portion of the allocation and has been fluctuating over the period 2014 – 2021.

Comparing 2018/2019 to 2020/2021, the allocation remained constant with a percentage value of 39%.

The actual/estimated expenditure has fluctuated over the eight (8) year period from a low of $70,074,458.00 in the fiscal year 2017

to a high of $101,617,179 in fiscal year 2015.

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Summary of Development Programme Expenditure for the period 2014 –2021

Development Programme is capital expenditure aimed at improving and enhancing development in different areas of Trinidad and

Tobago which includes; human resources, economic and social development.

The Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), which represents the capital expenditure component of the National Budget, is the

instrument used by Government to effect its vision and policies. It is a budgeting and strategic planning tool made up of projects and

programmes, designed to realise the goals set out in the Government’s overarching policy.

The PSIP budget document provides a detailed description of the programmes and projects and includes a review of the implementation

of projects and programmes in the previous financial year and highlights the major projects and programmes to be implemented in the

upcoming financial year.

The Public Sector Investment Programme is intended to achieve:

the country’s social and economic development goals; and

enhance the quality of life of all citizens.

For fiscal year 2020/2021 there is no allocation for development programmes and projects are presented in funds appropriated by

Parliament and disbursed directly from the Consolidated Fund.

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The following table shows a list of the significant expenditure items based under the Development Programme for the Service

Commissions Department.

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual ActualRevised

EstimatesEstimates

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

005 Multi-Sectoral and Other Services - Consolidated Fund 267,575.00 0.00 1,290,894 2,205,048 2,190,925 1,452,072 1,567,000 0

Total 267,575.00 0.00 1,290,894 2,205,048 2,190,925 1,452,072 1,567,000 0

-

500,000.00

1,000,000.00

1,500,000.00

2,000,000.00

2,500,000.00

Summary of Development Programme Expenditure for the period 2014 -2021

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Major Programmes and Development for the Period 2017 to 2021 The following table shows a list of the significant expenditure items assigned under the Development programme9.

Development Programme

2020

PROJECTS 2017

Actual

2018

Actual

2019

Actual

2020

Revised

Estimate

2021

Estimate

005-06-A-006 Implementation of an Electronic Document

Management System10

2,205,048 2,190,925 1,452,072 1,567,000 -

9 Ministry of Finance. Public Sector Investment Programme. Accessed October 09, 2020. Available: https://www.finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/num-Draft-Estimates-of-Development-Programme-2020-Book.pdf 10 This initiative was one of the projects under the Digital Government Programme.

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Committee Reports Related to the Service Commission

Inquiry Report Status Key Recommendations Ministerial Responses

Fifth Report of the JSC on Local

Authorities, Service Commissions and

Statutory Authorities (including the THA)

on an Inquiry into the Efficiency and

Effectiveness of the Police Service

Commission

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s3-J-20171117-LASCSA-r5-PSC.pdf

The PSC move with alacrity to

revise its current performance

assessment arrangements to

reduce the inordinate amount of

time taken to provide appraises

with feedback;

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s3-J-20180216-LASC-R5-MR-SCD.pdf

Sixth Report of the JSC on Local

Authorities, Service Commissions and

Statutory Authorities (including the

THA) on an Inquiry into the Efficiency

and Effectiveness of the Teaching Service

Commission

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s3-J-20180123-LASC-R6.pdf

HOR: 02.02.2018

Senate:23.01.2018

The MoE should consider

implementing an electronic swipe

system in all schools as a more

efficient means of recording the

arrival and departure times of

school officials. Even more feasible

will be the implementation of a

time recorder with the technology

to flag teachers who have crossed

the 180 minutes late trigger

immediately.

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s3-J-20180511-LASC-R6-MR-TSC.pdf

Seventh Report of the JSC on Local

Authorities, Service Commissions and

Statutory Authorities (including the

THA) on an Inquiry into the Efficiency

HOR: 16.02.2018

Senate:30.01.2018

Given prevailing financial

constraints, the SCD would need

to determine whether at this time

priority can be placed on the

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s4-J-20180413-LASC-R7-MR-PSC.pdf

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and Effectiveness of the Public Service

Commission

http://www.ttparliament.org/reports/p11-

s3-J-20180130-LASC-R7.pdf

creation of an Investigation Unit

or whether it would be more

feasible to train new and existing

investigators.

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General Useful Information

Kerala, India Public Service Commission - http://www.keralapsc.gov.in/

Public Service Commission of Canada - http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/index-eng.htm

Offices of the Service Commission Jamaica- http://www.osc.gov.jm/

Government of Barbados Personnel Administration Division- http://www.padbds.com/service-commissions