Public Spending Group (PSG)

Aims and objectives

PSG aims to:

• support the Minister and the Executive in securing the allocation and effective use of available resources through monitoring public expenditure, in line with the priorities set by the Executive
• support decisions on the management of public expenditure, maximise the achievement of VFM and promote accountability
• promote proper governance and financial management and to ensure resources are properly accounted for
• deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the citizen, NICS Departments and the wider public sector

Structure

Public Spending Group consists of five divisions:

Central Expenditure Division (CED)

CED is responsible for the planning and management of public expenditure in Northern Ireland. This includes the Budget process, the in-year monitoring process, outturn and forecast outturn, management of borrowing under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, liaison with HM Treasury and the provision of guidance on technical budget and classification issues.

Supply

Supply Division is responsible for making recommendations on the optimum distribution of resources to NI programmes to ensure that NI departments spend money for the purposes set out in the draft Programme for Government, whilst adhering to high standards of financial management and securing value for money.

Accountability and Financial Management Division (AFMD)

Provide advice and guidance to departments and their sponsored bodies on accounting, accountability, corporate governance, anti-fraud and internal audit policy, financial skills and tax compliance; oversee the Public Audit process; manage the NI Consolidated Fund and maintain appropriate banking arrangements across the NICS.

• Contact AFMD

Budget Sustainability Team (BST)

The Budget Sustainability Team was established in June 2024 as a result of the Interim Fiscal Framework agreed by the Executive and Treasury in May 2024. As set out in the framework its main objective is to publish a Budget Sustainability Plan to support the Executive, ensuring it uses its available resources and flexibilities sustainably to help deliver public services in Northern Ireland.

Once the plan has been published it is envisaged the team will move to focus on longer term objectives delivering an ambitious programme of work to support departments as they seek to balance demand and financing to deliver future public services

The PSG management team

• Joanne McBurney (Budget Director) - Head of Directorate
• Maryann Smith - Head of Central Expenditure Division
• Patrick Neeson - Head of Supply Division
• Stuart Stevenson (Treasury Officer of Accounts) - Head of Accountability and Financial Management Division
• Jeff McGuinness - Head of Budget Sustainability Team

PSG business priorities

PSG is committed to making a difference to how we deliver our services and we strive to ensure that our services meet the needs and expectations of all our key stakeholders and customers.

Our business priorities focus on four key areas:

Our results

• to support the Minister and the Executive in the securing, allocation and effective use of available resources
• to maintain a framework of guiding principles and delegations which support decisions on the management of public expenditure, maximise the achievement of VFM and promote accountability
• to promote proper governance and financial management and to ensure resources are properly accounted for

Our customers

• to provide an efficient and effective service to the Minister, the Executive and the Assembly
• to deliver high quality, efficient and effective services to the citizen, NICS Departments, HMT and the wider public sector

Our internal processes

• to manage the resources available to PSG efficiently and effectively and deliver required savings
• to translate the DoF strategic vision into operational delivery at all levels by creating linkages between Departmental, Directorate and Divisional BSCs

Our organisation and people

• support the delivery of PSG business objectives and the NICS People Plan through the effective deployment, management, engagement and development of our people whilst continuing to embed a culture of continuous improvement
• continue to develop and embed a culture of continuous improvement

Vision values

In achieving the overall objectives of the Group, the working practices of PSG are guided by the Departmental CLEAR Values:

• Customer - PSG is focused on delivering a high quality service
• Leadership - PSG’s senior management are strong leaders, with clear direction
• Ethical - PSG deliver an honest, fair, and equal environment for all its staff and customers
• Accountable - PSG is fully accountable to the Minister, the NI Assembly, to citizens and their representatives for the efficient and effective use of resources and delivery of services
• Results - PSG work continuously to achieve our objectives in order that all targets are delivered efficiently

Contact PSG

Business area contacts for PSG.

How to make a complaint

If you wish to make a complaint you can contact our Business Area Complaints Manager (BACM) using the details below and your complaint will be forwarded to the appropriate business area:

• email: violet.mckeown@finance-ni.gov.uk
• phone: 028 9081 6845