6. Statement of the steps taken by Transport Scotland to improve efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercise of its functions in the period
6. Statement of the steps taken by Transport Scotland to improve efficiency, effectiveness and economy in the exercise of its functions in the period
6.1 In 2004, the Scottish Government began developing a programme to improve efficiency in the Public Sector. A target of increasing Efficiency Savings by 2% for each year of the 2007 Spending Review was applied to portfolios across the Scottish Government. Following on from this, the Scottish Government set targets of 3% Efficiency Savings which were to be achieved each year going forward to April 2015.
6.2 Total efficiency savings achieved by Transport Scotland for the past two years are shown as follows:
| 2012-13 £m |
2011-12 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency Savings Target | 60 | 51 |
| Efficiency Savings Achieved | 71 | 59 |
| % of Transport Scotland DEL Budget | 3% | 3% |
6.3 The challenge is to use resources in a more efficient and effective way so that more can be delivered for the same or less cost. Transport Scotland had a target of £60 million for the year 2012-13 and it has again exceeded its target, this time by £11 million. The following are the key efficiency savings achieved:
- Streamlining and rationalisation of back office functions and management procedures in Highland and Islands Airport and British Waterways Scotland (trading as Scottish Canals).
- Supporting Network Rail decentralisation and their Alliance with First ScotRail as a means of reducing costs and improving services for rail passengers.
- Lower pricing negotiated with Network Rail on rail infrastructure projects to deliver the same output for lower costs.
- More economic pricing of road operating companies' contracts.
- Use of improved technologies, sustainable reconstruction techniques and e-procurement for roads maintenance, which has also led to less waste being sent to landfill sites.
- Re-tendering of ferry services that has produced significant financial savings from operating efficiencies realised.
- Optimum maintenance treatments resulted in lower whole life, material, labour and traffic management costs following new guidance to Operating Companies on developing structural repair and network strengthening programmes.
- The Scotland wide free concessionary bus travel scheme for older and disabled people was delivered at a reduced cost in a revised agreement with bus contractors.