Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Public officers told to make more use of information in policy making

- UK Public Administration expert leads local Permanent Secretaries in an intense training programme in analytical use of evidence
Some 25 public officers in the territory have today September 30, 2015 commenced an intense training programme entitled Developing Effective Policy; Analysis and Use of Evidence'. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, along with Governor John S. Duncan OBE and Cabinet Secretary Ms Sandra Ward at the head table. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, along with Governor John S. Duncan OBE and Cabinet Secretary Ms Sandra Ward at the head table. Photo: VINO
Facilitator of the training Dr Philip H.J. Davies addressing the audience. Photo: VINO
Facilitator of the training Dr Philip H.J. Davies addressing the audience. Photo: VINO
Cabinet Secretary Ms Sandra Ward making brief remarks during the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
Cabinet Secretary Ms Sandra Ward making brief remarks during the opening ceremony. Photo: VINO
A section of the participants at the opening of the workshop. Photo: VINO
A section of the participants at the opening of the workshop. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Some 25 public officers in the territory today September 30, 2015 commenced an intense training programme entitled 'Developing Effective Policy; Analysis and Use of Evidence'.

The opening of the workshop took place at the Public Service Training Centre, the venue for the one week of training.

Delivering the instructions will be Dr Philip H.J. Davies, Instructor at the Royal Institute of Public Administration International, United Kingdom.

Cabinet Secretary Ms Sandra Ward said the training is intended to support better decision making throughout the various stages of the policy process.

"I'm pleased that we have representation from all of the ministries and from the Governor's group. This will be the first in a series of training that the Cabinet office will be organising in relation to policy development in support of the Cabinet's constitutional mandate," she said.

"I am confident that with this training by Dr Davies we will see a change in how we develop policy," she said.

Taking the podium, Dr Davies said that the public officers must start using information a lot more.

“We have to find ways of making the evidence accessible, informative, and comprehensible and that is what we are going to look at this week."

He said that so great is the volume of information that if it is not properly organised it could swamp the officers and make their decision and policy-making that much harder.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith who made brief remarks, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7).

4 Responses to “Public officers told to make more use of information in policy making”

  • .......... (30/09/2015, 15:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good thing!
  • teacher john (01/10/2015, 01:22) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    We have the weakest set of permanent secretaries in the history of the civil service… the days of Lorna Smith, Sibilitor Christopher, Josephine Callwood, Stanly Gordon, Elton Georges, Bennett Smith, Julia Christopher, Brian Penn (was slow but competent) Dr. Charles Wheatley, Otta O’Neal ( slow but competent) Theodore Fahie (slow but competent) Suppy Stoutt and recently Clyne Lettsome and Julian Willock are long long gone.

    These new jack are weak, can’t write a memo to save their life and even do not understand their roles as a PS….some only there because of Politricks
    • chad (01/10/2015, 06:51) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      It seem to me that you are upset because you were not there. And if you actually knew anything at all (meaning how to be a good and competent worker) you would not be saying such things. By the list you presented here, I think that you are a old flag-out civil servant who believes he or she should climb the lady because of years of service. I advise you that its best to retire.
    • @ teacher john (01/10/2015, 08:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I must agree 100% but I will have taken out one or two names... Brian & Bennet


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.