MARS

Summary

The request sought details on staff exits, costs, applications, and availability of the MARS scheme at the Isle of Man Post Office over the last five years. The authority disclosed that the scheme began in February 2019, provided total payment figures, and confirmed there are no set limits on places or an end date for the program.

Key Facts

• The MARS scheme was introduced in February 2019 and was not available prior to that date.
• Total payments made under the MARS scheme to date amount to £718,877.25.
• There is no set limit on the number of MARS places available, nor is there a set end date for the scheme.
• MARS costs are recorded as operating expenses in the annual financial statements.
• Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis rather than against a fixed quota.

Data Disclosed

• £718,877.25
• February 2019
• 2018/19
• 2019/20
• 2020/21
• 2021/22
• 15 exits in 2019/20
• 8 exits in 2020/21
• 2 exits in 2021/22
• 14 applications in 2018/19
• 40 applications in 2019/20
• 8 applications in 2020/21
• 1 application in 2021/22
• 5 years payback period

Original Request

How may staff have exited IOMPO through the MARS scheme in the last 5 years. Split by each year. What has been the cost of the MARS scheme to the IOMPO in each of these years? Are these figures included in the annual financial statements? Are they included in the operating costs of the business or are the recorded elsewhere? How many MARS places are available in each of the last 5 years? Split by each year. How many MARS applications did the IOMPO receive for each of these years? How long will the MARS scheme remain in operation? How many places are available in the next 5 years? Split by each year.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Postal Headquarters Spring Valley Industrial Estate Douglas Isle of Man, 1M2 IAA

Switchboard: +44 (0)1624 698400 Telephone: +44 (0)1624 698402 Fax: +44 (0)1624 698406 Email: foi@iompost.com Web: www.iompost.com

Our ref: 1815102 25 June 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 31 May 2021 and which states:

1. How may staff have exited IOMPO through the MARS scheme in the last 5 years.
   Split by each year.
2. What has been the cost of the MARS scheme to the IOMPO in each of these years?
3. Are these figures included in the annual financial statements?
4. Are they included in the operating costs of the business or are the recorded elsewhere?
5. How many MARS places are available in each of the last 5 years? Split by each year.
6. How many MARS applications did the IOMPO receive for each of these years?
7. How long will the MARS scheme remain in operation?
8. How many places are available in the next 5 years? Split by each year."

Our response to your request is as follows:

1. How may staff have exited IOMPO through the MARS scheme in the last 5 years.
   Split by each year.
   Policy introduced February 2019. Prior to that MARS was not available at IOMPO. Financial years 2018/19 – 0 2019/20 – 15 2020/21 – 8
   2021/22 – 2 to date.

2. What has been the cost of the MARS scheme to the IOMPO in each of these years? All MARS payments have to demonstrate a financial saving to IOMPO with a payback
   period of no more than 5 years. Total value of payments made to date is £718,877.25

3. Are these figures included in the annual financial statements? These are included in our financial statements as expenses in the period the MARS agreement is signed and agreed.

4. Are they included in the operating costs of the business or are the recorded elsewhere? They are included in the operating costs.

5. How many MARS places are available in each of the last 5 years? Split by each year.
   There is no limit set.

6. How many MARS applications did the IOMPO receive for each of these years?
   Financial years 2018/19 – 14 2019/20 – 40 2020/21 – 8
   2021/22 – 1 to date

7. How long will the MARS scheme remain in operation? The scheme does not have a set end date.

8. How many places are available in the next 5 years? Split by each year." Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis.

Please quote the reference number 1815102 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

FOI Co-ordinator