Latest news with #MarkBrowne
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Investigation into why top civil servant was replaced
An investigation is taking place into the circumstances in which the Department of Education's permanent secretary was replaced in November 2024. BBC News NI understands the investigation is being undertaken by a senior legal figure from Scotland. It was commissioned by the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady. A permanent secretary is the most senior non-political official in a government department, effectively the department's chief executive. Who is Mark Browne? Mark Browne held the role of permanent secretary for a number of years, including a period when the Stormont Executive had collapsed. In the absence of a functioning government at Stormont from February 2022 until January 2024, departments were run by senior civil servants. As permanent secretary for education, Mr Browne had to make a number of difficult decisions on cuts in the absence of a minister. But in November 2024 Education Minister Paul Givan informed the chairman of the Stormont's Education Committee, Alliance assembly member Nick Mathison, that a temporary permanent secretary was being put in place. The former head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Ronnie Armour, subsequently became the acting permanent secretary at the Department of Education. Why was Mark Browne replaced? That is what members of Stormont's Education Committee have been trying to find out. According to correspondence seen by BBC News NI, the committee had a number of questions about the change at the top. In a letter to Givan on 10 January 2025, Mathison, as the committee chair, asked "why there is a vacancy." He said the committee also wanted to know "what difficulties may have arisen, what implications these may have and how they may be resolved." In his reply to the committee, the minister said moves at permanent secretary level were made by the head of the Civil Service (HOCS), a position currently held by Jayne Brady. But in a further letter to Givan in February, the committee sought "further clarification on senior staffing issues." "The committee is concerned about the adequacy of governance checks and balances," Mathison wrote. "The committee's letter of 10 January asked 'why there is a vacancy.'" "The committee considered that your reply of 21 January did not answer this question, and the committee agreed to ask you the question again." Givan responded to that letter on 25 March, in which he said he "noted" the concerns of the committee. He again said that the head of the Civil Service had "moved the permanent secretary." Members of the Education Committee subsequently wrote to Ms Brady, asking "what were the considerations which underpinned your move of the permanent secretary." But BBC News NI understands that Ms Brady, as head of the Civil Service, had by that stage appointed a senior Scottish legal figure to investigate the circumstances behind Mr Browne's replacement at the Department of Education. What has been the response from the Department of Education and Jayne Brady? When contacted by BBC News NI, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Civil Service said: " We do not comment on internal confidential staffing matters." The Department of Education said it had nothing further to add to the response from the Civil Service. The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, told BBC News NI they were not able to comment at this time. But the MLA who chairs Stormont's Education Committee says they still have questions. Nick Mathison told BBC News NI "a number of concerns have been raised with me relating to the role of the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education in recent months." "It was surprising to see an interim permanent secretary announced with no explanation," he said. "Seven months on, despite calls for clarity and an explanation from the Education Minister and Head of the Civil Service, we remain in the dark as to why the previous Permanent Secretary is no longer in post or when the position will be filled permanently." "The role is the second most senior in education in Northern Ireland and the sector is facing multiple critical challenges, including school budgets, Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and school maintenance." "It is vital clarity is given, so the public can have trust in the senior leadership structures across the sector." More on this story Holiday hunger cut the 'most difficult choice' Prison service chief moving to new NI role
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Mark Browne: Investigation into why top civil servant was replaced
An investigation is taking place into the circumstances in which the Department of Education's permanent secretary was replaced in November News NI understands the investigation is being undertaken by a senior legal figure from was commissioned by the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Jayne Brady.A permanent secretary is the most senior non-political official in a government department, effectively the department's chief executive. Who is Mark Browne? Mark Browne held the role of permanent secretary for a number of years, including a period when the Stormont Executive had the absence of a functioning government at Stormont from February 2022 until January 2024, departments were run by senior civil permanent secretary for education, Mr Browne had to make a number of difficult decisions on cuts in the absence of a in November 2024 Education Minister Paul Givan informed the chairman of the Stormont's Education Committee, Alliance assembly member Nick Mathison, that a temporary permanent secretary was being put in former head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Ronnie Armour, subsequently became the acting permanent secretary at the Department of Education. Why was Mark Browne replaced? That is what members of Stormont's Education Committee have been trying to find to correspondence seen by BBC News NI, the committee had a number of questions about the change at the a letter to Givan on 10 January 2025, Mathison, as the committee chair, asked "why there is a vacancy."He said the committee also wanted to know "what difficulties may have arisen, what implications these may have and how they may be resolved."In his reply to the committee, the minister said moves at permanent secretary level were made by the head of the Civil Service (HOCS), a position currently held by Jayne in a further letter to Givan in February, the committee sought "further clarification on senior staffing issues.""The committee is concerned about the adequacy of governance checks and balances," Mathison wrote."The committee's letter of 10 January asked 'why there is a vacancy.'""The committee considered that your reply of 21 January did not answer this question, and the committee agreed to ask you the question again." Givan responded to that letter on 25 March, in which he said he "noted" the concerns of the again said that the head of the Civil Service had "moved the permanent secretary."Members of the Education Committee subsequently wrote to Ms Brady, asking "what were the considerations which underpinned your move of the permanent secretary."But BBC News NI understands that Ms Brady, as head of the Civil Service, had by that stage appointed a senior Scottish legal figure to investigate the circumstances behind Mr Browne's replacement at the Department of Education. What has been the response from the Department of Education and Jayne Brady? When contacted by BBC News NI, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Civil Service said: " We do not comment on internal confidential staffing matters."The Department of Education said it had nothing further to add to the response from the Civil FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, told BBC News NI they were not able to comment at this time. But the MLA who chairs Stormont's Education Committee says they still have Mathison told BBC News NI "a number of concerns have been raised with me relating to the role of the Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education in recent months.""It was surprising to see an interim permanent secretary announced with no explanation," he said."Seven months on, despite calls for clarity and an explanation from the Education Minister and Head of the Civil Service, we remain in the dark as to why the previous Permanent Secretary is no longer in post or when the position will be filled permanently.""The role is the second most senior in education in Northern Ireland and the sector is facing multiple critical challenges, including school budgets, Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision and school maintenance.""It is vital clarity is given, so the public can have trust in the senior leadership structures across the sector."
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Opposition concern over fees and tip closure plans
Opposition councillors in Warrington have raised concerns about some proposed spending cuts. The Labour-run authority has put forward a budget for 2025-26 which includes £30m of savings as well as a 4.98% council tax rise. Liberal Democrats voiced concerns about plans to stop pumping water to maintain the Sankey Canal, the removal of free parking in two areas, and plans to close one of the borough's three tips. Warrington Council will discuss its budget at a meeting later. In a report, council officers said determining the 2025-26 budget was "more difficult this year than any year in living memory". The Liberal Democrats said although they did "applaud" some savings, including reducing energy bills by £2m and cutting interest and other loan costs by £6.5m, some concerns remained. Regarding plans to stop pumping water to maintain the Sankey Canal, the Lib Dems said "no impact assessment" had taken place and raised concerns about impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. The opposition councillors also criticised changes to car parking fees in some areas, and said it could impact the local economies by about £4m with "only a slight increase in council parking revenue". They called for all car parks to be free for an hour, a move which they said would help to "manage parking" and balance the budget. Thousands of people have signed a petition against the plans. Councillors also said a decision to close a recycling centre in Stockton Heath could result in increased fly-tipping and impact the borough's recycling rates. Councillor Mark Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, said: "We recognise that these are challenging times for all councils. "While we support many of the efficiencies identified by the officers, it is concerning that Labour has not consulted with us, leaving us in the dark about many of the details behind the proposed cuts. "We have collaborated proactively with officers to develop alternative solutions to issues of great importance to our residents, which retain the balanced budget, and we are hopeful that our proposals will be accepted." Denis Matthews, the council's cabinet member for finance, told a recent meeting of the authority's cabinet he understood "the strength of feeling" and that "no one wants to remove a service or increase a cost". See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer. Warrington Borough Council Parking charges 'another thing to worry about' Council seeking tip closure as part of £30m savings plan Council to axe free parking amid £30m budget gap
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Warrington Council budget: Concerns over parking and tip closure plan
Opposition councillors in Warrington have raised concerns about some proposed spending Labour-run authority has put forward a budget for 2025-26 which includes £30m of savings as well as a 4.98% council tax Democrats voiced concerns about plans to stop pumping water to maintain the Sankey Canal, the removal of free parking in two areas, and plans to close one of the borough's three Council will discuss its budget at a meeting later. 'Manage parking' In a report, council officers said determining the 2025-26 budget was "more difficult this year than any year in living memory".The Liberal Democrats said although they did "applaud" some savings, including reducing energy bills by £2m and cutting interest and other loan costs by £6.5m, some concerns plans to stop pumping water to maintain the Sankey Canal, the Lib Dems said "no impact assessment" had taken place and raised concerns about impacts on wildlife and opposition councillors also criticised changes to car parking fees in some areas, and said it could impact the local economies by about £4m with "only a slight increase in council parking revenue".They called for all car parks to be free for an hour, a move which they said would help to "manage parking" and balance the of people have signed a petition against the also said a decision to close a recycling centre in Stockton Heath could result in increased fly-tipping and impact the borough's recycling rates. Councillor Mark Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, said: "We recognise that these are challenging times for all councils."While we support many of the efficiencies identified by the officers, it is concerning that Labour has not consulted with us, leaving us in the dark about many of the details behind the proposed cuts."We have collaborated proactively with officers to develop alternative solutions to issues of great importance to our residents, which retain the balanced budget, and we are hopeful that our proposals will be accepted."Denis Matthews, the council's cabinet member for finance, told a recent meeting of the authority's cabinet he understood "the strength of feeling" and that "no one wants to remove a service or increase a cost". See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
