Quality standards for policy advice

Quality measure

We will seek written response, at least 6-monthly, from the Minister for Building Issues and the Minister of Housing on our performance against the following quality standards. The assessment process will also incorporate an assessment of ministerial satisfaction through a structured discussion with each Minister focusing on the quality standards. The performance target will be 3 (good) or better, on an overall scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

We will supply high-quality services meeting the standard quality characteristics below.

We will provide a comprehensive service that:

• has the capacity to act quickly in response to urgent/critical issues
• offers timely and relevant briefings on significant issues
• supports Ministers as required in Cabinet Committees, Select Committees and in the House.

Standard quality characteristics

All advice will include the following.

Purpose

An objective for the policy advice has been clearly stated, including its relationship to the Government's agreed outcomes and objectives.

Focus

A clear and logical statement of the issue or problem and why it necessitates ministerial action.

Viability

Viable options to address the issue are presented and costs/benefits are assessed, winners and losers identified, cost-effectiveness addressed and any value judgements drawn to the attention of the Minister.

Logic and evidence based

The assumptions behind the advice and the logic of how the options will resolve issues and achieve objectives are clear. Assumptions and advice are evidence based.

Accuracy

The facts are accurate and based on reliable research or evaluation findings or other appropriate information.

Practicality

The advice draws on appropriate knowledge and experience, and the practicalities of implementing it are clearly explained, including any industry, legal, machinery of government, Treaty of Waitangi or other issues that require management.

Consultation

Interested government agencies and affected and interested parties have been consulted and their views considered.

Presentation

The advice is presented clearly, logically, in plain and grammatically correct English, free from any typographical or spelling errors, and conforms to the Cabinet Office requirements.

Recommendations

Recommendations are clear, logical, action-oriented and can stand alone from the rest of the advice.

Timeliness

Specified reporting deadlines are met.

Cost

Outturn is within budget.

Forecast Non-Departmental Financial Statements

In addition to the Statement of Forecast Non-Departmental Appropriations and Expenditure on page 66, schedules of forecast non-departmental revenue and receipts, assets and liabilities are provided after the following Statement of Accounting Policies.

Statement of Accounting Policies

Measurement system

Measurement and recognition rules applied in the preparation of these non-departmental financial forecasts are consistent with generally accepted accounting practice, our departmental Statement of Significant Accounting Policies and Crown accounting policies.

These non-departmental balances are consolidated into the Crown Financial Statements and therefore readers of these financial forecasts should also refer to the Crown Financial Statements for 2006/07.

Accounting policies

The following particular accounting policies, which materially affect the measurement of financial results and financial position, have been applied.

Goods and services tax (GST)
The Statement of Forecast Non-Departmental Appropriations and Expenditure is exclusive of GST (where applicable). The Schedule of Forecast Non-Departmental Assets and the Schedule of Non-Departmental Liabilities are exclusive of GST, except for payables and receivables, which are GST inclusive.

Revenues and receipts
We administer revenue on behalf of the Crown. The revenue includes interest on Housing New Zealand Corporation loans. Interest is recognised in the period to which it relates.

Expenses
Expenses are recognised in the period to which they relate.

Receivables
Receivables are recorded at estimated realisable value after providing, where necessary, for doubtful and uncollectable debts.

Commitments
Future expenses and liabilities to be incurred on contracts that have been entered into at balance date are disclosed as commitments (at the point a contractual obligation arises) to the extent that there are equally unperformed obligations. Commitments relating to employment contracts are not disclosed.

Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are disclosed at the point at which the contingency is evident.

Statement of Forecast Non-Departmental Appropriations and Expenditure

For the year ended 30 June 2007

	2004/05 Actual $000	2005/06 Budget1 $000	2005/06 Estimated Actual $000	2006/07 Budget $000
Non-Departmental Output Expenses
Housing policy advice	1,534	3,829	3,469	2,912
Contracted housing support services	1,795	9,857	9,857	11,183
Housing New Zealand Corporation housing support services	1,872	10,597	10,597	11,491
Registration regime for architects	0	225	225	0
	5,201	24,508	24,148	25,586
Benefits and Other Unrequited Expenses
Housing assistance	11,786	7,664	7,664	8,666
Income related rental subsidy	371,816	395,233	395,233	417,452
	383,602	402,897	402,897	426,118
Other Expenses to be incurred by the Crown
Community Housing Rent Relief Programme	4,500	4,500	4,500	4,500
Increase in debt provision	481	2,601	2,601	3,149
	4,981	7,101	7,101	7,649
Capital Expenditure
Housing New Zealand Corporation
- loans to refinance third-party debt	0	0	0	259,342
Capital injections to Housing New Zealand Corporation for housing activities	202,416	209,797	204,697	216,913
Activities for state housing purposes	0	54,000	54,000	0
Loan to Registered Architects Board	0	0	0	45
Housing New Zealand Limited	0	30,000	30,000	0
- loans to refinance Crown debt	202,416	293,797	288,697	476,300
Total Non-Departmental Expenses	596,200	728,303	722,843	935,653

 ¹ This column incorporates both Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates appropriations for 2005/06.