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 The BBC's Justin Webb reports"There are to be sweeping changes in financial management and control"  real 28k |
Brussels adopts sweeping reforms
Ex-Commissioner Edith Cresson is at the centre of the scandal
The European Commission has approved a package of far-reaching internal reforms designed to change its management culture.
The plans - drawn up by Neil Kinnock, the UK commissioner in charge of reform - will affect all the commission's 20,000 staff.
The plans - drawn up by Neil Kinnock, the UK commissioner in charge of reform - will affect all the commission's 20,000 staff.
Reforms |
Budgets allocated to specific tasks
Independent audit office
Official to tackle red tape
Better system of internal discipline
Staff hired and promoted on merit
Balance of nationalities kept
Whistle-blowers' charter to report wrongdoings
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They include sweeping changes in financial management and controls to ensure money is properly spent, as well as an overhaul of personnel policy.
The changes were prompted by a scandal last year which forced the previous commission to resign amid allegations of incompetence and corruption.
Correspondents say reform is the one issue by which the current commission of Romano Prodi is bound to be judged.
After the chaos of a year ago it was imperative that big changes were made.
Policy overhaul
The first phase of reforms will start in May. Mr Kinnock hopes the rest of the package will be in place by the end of 2001.
Some accused him of promoting a British model of efficiency that does not fit the European way of doing things.
The changes were prompted by a scandal last year which forced the previous commission to resign amid allegations of incompetence and corruption.
Correspondents say reform is the one issue by which the current commission of Romano Prodi is bound to be judged.
After the chaos of a year ago it was imperative that big changes were made.
Policy overhaul
The first phase of reforms will start in May. Mr Kinnock hopes the rest of the package will be in place by the end of 2001.
Some accused him of promoting a British model of efficiency that does not fit the European way of doing things.
 Mr Kinnock has been explaining his plans to staff
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But he replied: "I don't see a contrast between what is described as a British attitude and an European attitude, anymore than I think that anybody in any part of the European Union fails to comprehend the meaning of the word 'productivity' - better value for money."
Although staff unions expressed concern about what the reforms could mean for salaries and pensions, industrial action has been avoided so far.
But correspondents say it is a measure the unions have used in the past.
Although staff unions expressed concern about what the reforms could mean for salaries and pensions, industrial action has been avoided so far.
But correspondents say it is a measure the unions have used in the past.
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