Minutes of Proceedings - 05th June 2006
Craigantlet Buildings, Stormont Estate
Belfast
Present
- Mr Sid McDowell (Chairman)
- Mr Jim McCusker
- Mr Desmond Mitchell
- Dr Collim Patton
- Mrs Brenda McLaughlin
Professor Bernard Cullen (arrived at 2.15pm)
In Attendance
- Mr Stephen Graham
- Ms Susan Dornan
- Ms Iris Lovell
- Mr Paul Rowan
1. Apologies
There were no apologies and the Commission meeting opened at 1400hrs.
The Chairman introduced Paul Rowan to the Commissioners and welcomed him to his new post in the Secretariat. The Chairman informed the group that Professor Cullen would be arriving late and that the meeting with Minister Hanson was scheduled to commence at 1730hrs in Stormont Castle.
(Professor Cullen joined the meeting at 1415hrs.)
2. Minutes of the meeting 24th May 2006
Commissioners agreed the minutes of the meeting of 24th May.
3. Matters Arising
Item 3.1 Chief Executive Posts in the 5 New Trusts
The Chairman reported that the Commission’s recommendation in relation to the Chief Executive posts in the 5 new Trusts had been forwarded to Government on 31 May 06 and an acknowledgement, accepting the recommendation, which had been approved at Ministerial level by Paul Goggins, had been received from Dr Andrew McCormick, the Permanent Secretary of the DHSS&PS. He added that the adverts were due to appear in the press this week to facilitate interviews during July.
The Chief Executive informed Commissioners that, following a telephone conversation with a DHSS&PS official, relating to the recommendation, he had asked for a copy of the “analysis of data”, which was referred to in the recommendation, but to date he had not received this information.
He expressed a degree of reservation on the interpretation that DHSS&PS might apply to the term “RPA affected staff”, particularly in relation to the press advert and indicated that he had made a series of calls in an attempt to deal with this concern.
Some discussion followed on the composition of “RPA affected staff” with a query raised as to whether the Department of Environment (DOE) would consider staff employed by Belfast City Council to be in the pool of staff directly affected by RPA.
Commissioners agreed that a signal was required from DOE in relation to the eligibility of Council staff to apply for RPA affected jobs.
Agreed: The Chief Executive would raise a query with Government and would enquire if this matter would be included in the legislation being prepared by DOE.
Item 3.2 Paper submitted by DFP
The Chairman informed Commissioners that the recently appointed legal advisors would run a tutorial session on TUPE at the Commission meeting, scheduled for 21st June. This would inform Commissioners as work moved forward with the Libraries Order and the other pieces of legislation emanating from RPA.
4.Chairman’s Business
Item 4.1 Steering Group
The Chairman reported on the 2nd meeting of the Steering Group, which took place 2nd June. He informed the group that John McMillen had been appointed to head up the RPA Central Unit and would take up post on 12th June.
He reported that the Commission’s first recommendation had been positively welcomed at the Steering Group and that Nigel Hamilton stated that he would promulgate the recommendation towards the end of June.
Item 4.2 NIPSA Conference
The Chairman reported that he had spoken at the recent NIPSA conference and had participated in a lively Q&A session, which provided useful insight into how people were feeling about RPA. He added that it would be beneficial to have the PSC website up and running as soon as possible, as the many questions raised at the conference could form the basis of the FAQ’s incorporated on the website.
Discussion followed on the possible need for the Commission to design a Communications Strategy and Commissioners agreed to return to the matter under Any Other Business.
Item 4.3 Communications Conference 14th June
Commissioners were asked to let the Secretariat staff know whether they intended to go to the conference and reservations would be made accordingly.
Item 4.4 Education and Library Board Chief Executives
The Chairman reported that, following a request for a meeting with the Commission, Dessie Mitchell and the Chief Executive had agreed to meet with the Chief Executives at 1600hrs on Monday 12th June in the SELB offices, Armagh. He added that other Commissioners would be welcome to participate, if available.
Item 4.5 Seminar 12th June.
The Chairman advised that he had been asked and had agreed, to speak at a seminar, organized by the Staff Commission for the Education and Library Boards, on Monday 12th June.
Item 4.6 Meeting with Minister Hanson.
Commissioners agreed to raise the question of the “gateway to government” and to mention that adequate time should be afforded to the Commission, to enable it to develop recommendations and consult accordingly.
5.Submission from Department of Education, Chief Executive, Education and Skills Authority
Commissioners discussed the information provided by the Department of Education. Commissioners were unsure as to which operational delivery elements within the Department were moving to the ESA, and indicated that the job description provided was inconsistent with Mr Will Haire’s presentation to the Commission on 24th May. Based on the information provided, Commissioners were unable to reach a decision on how the post should be filled.
Agreed: Chief Executive to advise the Department of Education that Commissioners required further documentation to enable them to reach a decision.
6. Draft recommendation – Guiding principles relating to managing vacancies
Commissioners discussed various aspects of the draft recommendation including phasing difficulties as the new authorities come online, the exceptions clause, monitoring arrangements, and consultation.
Agreed: Draft to be revised in light of the discussion and circulated to Commissioners for comment.
7. AOB
Commissioners had earlier discussed a communications strategy.
Agreed: Secretariat to draft a communications strategy for presentation at the next meeting.
The Chairman reported that he and the Chief Executive would be meeting Bob Collins of the Equality Commission.
Dates for future Commission meetings in September/October to be agreed at the next meeting.
8. Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 21st June at 10.30am.
Chairman’s Signature:
Date of Chairman’s Signature:_ 21st June 2006_