The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee has called on senior civil service leaders to set out more details of how a new leadership centre will operate within existing civil service structures.
In a letter to civil service chief John Manzoni, copied to cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill and Ministry of Defence permanent secretary Sir Stephen Lovegrove, PACAC chair Sir Bernard Jenkin said the committee welcomed the £21m funding allocation to establish a Centre for Public Services Leadership.
However, he asked that the civil service chiefs explain how the centre would work with existing institutions, primarily the Civil Service Leadership Academy.
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A plan for the centre was published alongside the Budget last month by a taskforce formed by government last year to review the quality of leadership across the public sector. The group led by Sir Gerry Grimstone, the lead non-executive director at the Ministry of Defence and chair of the investment company Standard Life, concluded a programme aimed at “emerging top leaders of public services” could improve productivity by creating a new home for collaborative leadership.
According to the taskforce, the most difficult challenges faced by public services are complex and cross-cutting, so more effective collaboration between them is a source of considerable public value. However, it found some senior leaders feel very exposed by their new responsibilities and are not sure where to turn for support.
The centre will be based in the Cabinet Office but will develop a distinct identity and recognisable brand, similar to the Infrastructure Projects Authority, according to the report. Those estimated to be within two years of potentially taking on principal executive responsibility in a public service organisation will be eligible for the course, which will provide “context-led experiential training and opportunities to develop their leadership skills, knowledge and behaviours”.
In his letter to Manzoni, Jenkin said that public sector leadership is “an area of ongoing interest to PACAC”.
He added: “However, it is unclear how this centre will fit with the existing structure of civil service academies and, in particular, the Civil Service Leadership Academy. The committee would appreciate some written clarification on this.”
The Cabinet Office confirmed to CSW that it had received Jenkin's letter and would respond on due course.
This story was updated on 22 November to include the Cabinet Office's response.