I've just picked up on a significant reform in the way the UK manages public investment. Last year the Government created the Major Projects Authority. Here's it's mandate:
'In January 2011 the Prime Minister confirmed the mandate for the new Major Projects Authority (MPA) within the Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office. The MPA represents a sea change in the oversight of Central Government’s Major Projects at both an individual and a portfolio level. It is a new partnership between the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury with the fundamental aim of significantly improving the delivery success rate of Major Projects across Central Government.
The Mandate from the Prime Minister gives the MPA the authority:
- To develop the Government Major Projects Portfolio, in collaboration with departments, with regular reporting to Ministers;
- To require Integrated Assurance and Approval Plans for each Major Project or Programme, including timetables for Treasury financial approvals, and validated by the MPA and HMT;
- To make a Starting Gate Review, or equivalent, mandatory for all new Projects/Programmes;
- To escalate issues of concern to Ministers and Accounting Officers;
- To provide additional assurance and direct involvement where Projects are causing concern including the provision of commercial and operational support;
- To require publication of Project information consistent with the Coalition’s Transparency agenda;
- To work with departments to build capability in Projects and Programme management; and
- To publish an annual report on Government Major Projects
The creation of the MPA seems to have been in reaction to recommendations by the National Audit Office. Attached is the NAO's assessment of how well the MPA is functioning: not too well as yet is the answer. It seems that coordination/cooperation with the finance ministry is part of the problem. That has a familiar ring to it!
