6
under the Barnett formula, the Executive, or, under Direct Rule, the Secretary of State
determines the allocation of the overall budget on the basis of the competing priorities from all the
departments, in tandem with the development of the Programme for Government. Nonetheless, in
many cases there will be a public expectation that the Northern Ireland administration will respond to
funding increases or new programmes in England. It is therefore important to keep in touch with
counterpart Whitehall Departments to monitor their
Ensuring any necessary
policy developments and assess how to respond.
resources are available is key to making policy
happen. When developing
Legal advice
a policy you must always be aware of the cost
6.12 As your policy-making process proceeds, it
implications of policy
becomes important to start thinking about whether there is sufficient legislative basis for the policy
implementation and the
solutions you are considering and you need to
need to achieve best value
engage in dialogue with Departmental solicitors.
for money.
Departmental solicitors will also be able to advise on any human rights or EU aspects which you
have identified. If you are considering establishing a new body as part of the implementation of your
policy, solicitors can advise on the options for establishing the body and their involvement will be
important throughout that process. If legislation is required, it is important to engage too with the
Office of the Legislative Counsel. Further guidance on the legislative process is in Chapter 9.
32
Presentational aspects
6.13 Communication of government policy should not be regarded as an afterthought
but should be an integral part of policy development. Often in the past, insufficient emphasis has been placed by civil servants involved in policy
development on the communications strategy that every important initiative or decision will require. Policy staff should naturally think about communication
aspects and involve the Executive Information Service early enough in the process to contribute substantively. Policy and the handling plans for its
communication should be developed in parallel rather than sequentially. The following points should assist planning in this area: communication should:
• be planned from the start of the policy process and tackled as an
issue throughout; •
be based on a sound awareness of the political and wider context within which the policy is being developed;
• be focused on what is likely to be of greatest public interest, highlighting
the policy proposal and resulting likely criticisms; •
target relevant audiences and make use of a range of media and formats in order to reach those audiences; and
• involve all those who will have a part to play in presenting
policy - Ministers, policy makers, press officers and service deliverersimplementers.
Risk management
6.14 Risk has been defined as uncertainty of outcome, whether positive opportunity
