Deputy governor releases travel policy for government
(CNS): As expected, the Deputy Governor’s Office has published the government’s new policy on travel, which openly sets out the rules and criteria for all civil servants. The 17-page document aims to implement service-wide standards, with regards to assessing whether travel is required, and help to manage the costs. Although it is designed to apply to all public sector works, the elected officials from the new Progressive government have also agreed to adopt the policy and have been adhering to its criteria since they took office in May. “The ministers and I have already travelled in accordance with these guidelines,” Premier Alden McLaughlin said, as he offered his support to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson last week for the policy.
“My government is committed to reducing expenditure and we congratulate the deputy governor for developing this extremely useful document,” he added.
Going forward, civil servants who travel to conduct government business or attend events or conferences on government’s behalf must demonstrate that they have considered alternative means to achieve their business or training objectives even before they travel. When they do travel, they will have to follow strict guidelines.
“Our goal is to ensure that we manage the costs of official travel consistently across the civil service,” Manderson said.” This policy ensures that the public’s money is spent only when it is absolutely necessary. These new rules are in keeping with our policy of ensuring value for money in everything that we do.”
Public servants will be asked to consider teleconferencing, use of local resources or online training as an alternative to travelling, but if there is no feasible option, the policy sets out proposals for reducing travel-related expenses.
It suggests planning airfare, transport and accommodations as far in advance as practical and recommends the use of public transport where readily available.
Civil servants must also use coach or economy class tickets on flights under five hours and premium economy is restricted to senior managers on flights in excess of five hours, excluding layovers. Before civil servants can travel in business class, they must establish a business case and receive prior approval.
Appropriate length of travel, per-diem allowance rates by country of travel, criteria for reimbursement, health-care, driver’s licences and automobile insurance are among other topics that the very detailed policy covers.
See the full policy below.
Category: Local News
I agree that policies as these should be put in place for the civila service as many public authorities have had such policies for years as well as private sector organizations. What is interesting to me is that these policies does not extend to the government owned companies that are the bigger violators like the Boatswain's Beach staff and Cayman Airways. These are companies that are loosing money everyday and are so loosley run. for instance, the CAL entertainment funds could be put to better use; the CEO of CAL drives a company owned vehicle with gas and mileage allowance …why? I am sure he had a car before the last government put him in that post. that is flagrant waste. And the fact the ex-board members get unlimited free travel is another waste. The government owned companies need to come under the same scrutiny as the civil service and much funds could be saved.
Does this also apply to the Deputy Governor, Attorney General et al when they fly on Cayman Airways?
I can imagine certain Ministers/Members and Permanent/Principal Secretaries and Heads of Departments of the past being relieved they got out (or were retired by the electorate or the Governor) before these restrictions came in. Some of the eating and, especially, drinking that went on were absolutely astonishing.
Why was this not drafted and implemented by Dep Governor for the Big Mac, Ms Julie and the bodyguard?
For some tigers it's best not to try and grab them by their tail ….. LOL
Mr. Manderson better revisit this as there is no way that they can expect civil servants to travel from Cayman Brac to Grand Cayman or Little Cayman for a day trip and not get a per diem. That is outrageous to expect people to leave their homes to go to another Island at the crack of dawn and not return till night and not get a daily meal allowance. That aint going to happen cause if it was me I aint leaving my home when I make a pittance and have to travel to Grand for training and then have to pay for meals when I have meals already paid for at home. They must be mad. Oh well the Brac civil servants will just stay put and not go to Grand then unless they are overnighting.
You do realise that your job is probably unnecessary and subsidised by the government just so that you won't be unemployed…right?
Flying bikes? Cool.
Great job ! but can you image that the private sector has been doing this for years……..