Social Investment Panel Report 2016
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Treasury:3534443v1 Treasury Report: Social Investment Panel Report 2016 Date: 9 March 2016 Report No: T2016/338 File Number: ST-4-9-5 Action Sought Action Sought Deadline Minister of Finance note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Bill English) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister for Tertiary Education, note the Panel’s views on the N/A Skills and Employment proposed social sector initiatives as part of Budget 2016 advice (Hon Steven Joyce) Minister for Social Housing note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Paula Bennett) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister of Health note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister of Justice note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Amy Adams) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister of Education note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Hekia Parata) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister for Social Development note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Anne Tolley) part of Budget 2016 advice Minister of Corrections note the Panel’s views on the N/A proposed social sector initiatives as (Hon Judith Collins) part of Budget 2016 advice Treasury:3401472v1 Contact for Telephone Discussion (if required) Name Position Telephone 1st Contact Renata Lodge Analyst 04 917 7022 (wk) 0223253097 (mob) Ben McBride Manager, Health 04 917 6184 (wk) 021-869-450 (wk) [23] Actions for the Minister’s Office Staff (if required) Return the signed report to Treasury. Note any feedback on the quality of the report Enclosure: Yes (Report of the Social Investment Panel 2016:3396241) Page 2 Treasury Report: Social Investment Panel Report 2016 This note accompanies the report of the Social Investment Panel (the Panel) containing their assessment of 25 proposed new social sector initiatives for Budget 2016. Treasury has sought over a number of years, and in a variety of ways, to improve the quality of advice provided to Ministers on the Budget, such as by providing greater contestability or perspectives on advice. Last year, for example, attempts were made to provide the collective perspective of Social Sector Agency Chief Executives on a Social Sector Budget package. For a number of reasons this was not successful. The Panel, drawing partly on the experience of the Capital Investment Panel, was comprised of a range of people from within, and outside government. A list of the members is attached as an appendix in the report. The Panel’s brief was to focus solely on the merits of the proposals in light of the Government’s social investment objectives articulated in the budget strategy cabinet paper, ignoring wider political-economy considerations. From a Treasury perspective the Panel demonstrated a keen ability to get to the nub of the issues being addressed, able to bring an expert, community and sector knowledge to the discussions with agencies beyond the capability of Treasury. The collective view of the Panel was that there were very few proposals that were multi agency and looked to advance the Government’s social investment objectives. The Panel also noted that their involvement may be more beneficial to agencies were they consulted earlier in the process as bids were being developed. The nature and scope of the questions asked by the Panel of the initiatives would be equally applicable to core cost pressure proposals from agencies when considered in the context of their Four Year Plans. We will report back to you as part of the Budget review on how the Social Investment panel could be used in Budget 2017. T2016/338 : Social Investment Panel Report 2016 Page 3 Recommended Action We recommend that you: a note the Panel’s views on the proposed social sector initiatives have been reflected in Treasury’s Budget 2016 advice, and Agree/disagree Minister of Finance b share the Panel’s views with agencies to improve the quality of initiatives over time. Agree/disagree Minister of Finance Ben McBride Manager, Health Hon Bill English Hon Steven Joyce Minister of Finance Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Hon Paula Bennett Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman Minister for Social Housing Minister of Health Hon Amy Adams Hon Hekia Parata Minister of Justice Minister of Education Hon Anne Tolley Hon Judith Collins Minister for Social Development Minister of Corrections T2016/338 : Social Investment Panel Report 2016 Page 4 .