MA successful in deferring ABC model - 27 January 2010
John Thornhill gives the latest news
You will have read on the website the report of our survey into the Activity Based Costing model. In my covering letter to HMCS with the report of our survey I stated:
‘We would also ask that implementation of the HMCS ABC model be deferred until further detailed discussion has taken place on the points that the MA raises in relation to it.’
As you will see below (copy in italics) the result of our representations has been positive. The main development is that for this year at least the model will not be used for ‘headcount’ as originally suggested and that there will be the requested further engagement, discussion and debate. This is a very positive outcome.
The Activity Based Costing (ABC) Model for Magistrates Courts work is a management tool designed to enable HMCS to assess the right number of people and correct range of skills in each court to meet the needs of the local workload.
The ABC (MC) model, along with allocation models for the other main HMCS jurisdictions, has assisted in apportioning the finite resources available to HMCS for the 2010/11 period. It has been used to help calculate an overall figure that Regional Directors will have to manage the business in their Region. Regional Management Boards will retain the discretion as to how their budgets will be allocated within the Region and Areas.
The ABC (MC) model has also provided HMCS with model staff complement numbers for legal and administrative staff. During the last four months HMCS has consulted a range of stakeholders as to how such complement models may be implemented. Stakeholders engaged have included the Magistrates Association, National Bench Chairs Forum, Justices Clerks Society and Trade Unions.
The HMCS Directors Board have considered the options for implementation and in light of the responses received have agreed that during the 2010/11 period, the model staff complements will be issued for management guidance only. Therefore during this period the model will not be used as a head count target.
It is intended that the 2010/11 period will allow for Managers to familiarise themselves with the model whilst at the same time using it to inform staff deployment. In addition this period will be used for ongoing engagement with stakeholders to re-assure them of the validity of the model.
During 2010/11 the ABC (MC) model will be reviewed quarterly against the actual workload of the Courts and staff movements. The outcomes of these reviews will be shared with HMCS Managers and key stakeholders.
Towards the end of the 2010/11 period the ABC (MC) model will be re-run to provide the 2011/12 projections. At this time actual staff numbers will be compared to the projections and options for convergence between the model and actual numbers considered.
A number of representations have been made in respect of the provision of Justice in rural areas. In response to those representations, principles for addressing this have been agreed by the HMCS Directors Board. A model will therefore be worked up to address this issue that can be used for moderation at National and Regional level.
Separately, in response to representations, it is planned at the beginning of the next financial year to commence a National Judicial Issues Group (JIG) debate around the number of courtrooms hours that the ABC (MC) model indicates is required, compared to current provision. Full details in relation to this will be issued in due course.
This success has been achieved as result of the support of all those who at a difficult time co-operated and sent in their forms. I also want to pay special tribute to one of my deputies, John Howson, who devised the survey and spend many hours over the Christmas period ‘number crunching’ to provide a very strong and informative report. I offer my grateful thanks to John and Peter Sanderson who provided the graphs on a positive outcome