---

Annex 9:
RCEP use of DETR services

Accounts
The Commission has been part of the ASP accounting system since it was set up; its accounts are maintained by ASP and it makes all payments through ASP. From 1 April 1999 the Commission has been told that it must use the purchasing module of ASP for all goods and services purchased; but cannot implement the module fully because of the technical limitations of its current connection to ASP. For the time being the Secretariat continues to order goods and services in the same way as previously (and is thus still able to operate flexibly and efficiently to meet the Commission's particular requirements) and details of the orders are entered in the ASP purchasing module when the invoice is received for payment.

Personnel
The secretary to the Commission is regarded as seconded from the DETR to the Commission but all other DETR staff in the Secretariat are regraded as posted there. Staff on loan to the Secretariat from government bodies other than DETR are formally employed by DETR and, like the DETR-based staff, are paid through Chessington in the normal way. Where someone is seconded to the Secretariat from a body outside DETR on the other hand, a secondment agreement is entered into direct between the Commission and the employing body, the salary continues to be paid by the employing body, and corresponding payments are made by the Commission direct to the employing body.

The advertising scheme is applied to vacancies in the Secretariat; if it is decided that a vacancy should be advertised outside DETR, it is DETR Personnel which deals, as appropriate, with other government Departments or with Capita RAS.

The DETR performance management and staff appraisal system, and other DETR personnel practices and policies (for example, training policies and health and safety guidance), are adopted to the extent that it is appropriate and practicable to do so, given the different line of command.

Travel services
As part of its observance of DETR financial procedures, the Secretariat has felt constrained to use DETR's contractors for travel services. They have not provided a high standard of service. In practice Members of the Commission often make their own travel arrangements and claim subsequently.

Information technology
For IT the Commission has an account manager within DETR, uses the DETR helpdesk, obtains technical advice from DETR staff, and takes advantage of DETR call-off contracts, although its right to receive these services has been questioned. For its part the Secretariat has felt constrained by DETR's IT procurement rules, which prevent the purchase of IT equipment not on the list of standard models unless a formal technical evaluation has been carried out.

Other services
Other services received through DETR on the same terms as a division within DETR are:

the IDS van service, including removal of confidential waste
daily press cuttings
library services
graphics services, including access to DETR's retained contractor
issue of security passes (these are used both as IDs for the building the Commission occupies and for entry by Secretariat staff to DETR buildings)
distribution of DETR Bulletin and DETR internal directories.

Internal audit
One outcome of the FMPR has been to clarify that the Secretariat should be responsible in its own right for internal audit, but it has not yet been established on what terms DETR's Internal Audit Branch would operate for the Commission.

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
May 1999

[ Previous ] [ Contents ] [ Next ]

---

Published 19 April 2000 / Updated 11 May 2000

---

Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution Index

---

Environmental Protection Index

---

Defra Home Page