Minutes of Meeting 16th October 2007
Public Service Commission
Minutes of Proceedings
Tuesday 16th October 2007
Boardroom 10 Cromac Place
The Gasworks
Present:Mr Sid McDowell (Chairman)
Professor Bernard Cullen
Mr Brian Hanna
Mr Jim McCusker
Mrs Brenda McLaughlin
Mr Desmond Mitchell
Dr Collim Patton
In Attendance:Mr Brian Martin
The Commission meeting opened at 10.30am.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Minutes of the meeting of 18th September 2007
The minutes of the 18th September were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
3.1
Staff Transfers Code of Practice/Addendum to Third Guiding Principle (Selection of Staff for Transfer)Commissioners noted that the Addendum to the 3rd Guiding Principle had been accepted by the Executive and that officials continue to work on finalising the Code of Practice.
Agreed: Commissioners to see “final” version of Code of Practice when available. Secretariat to let Commissioner’s legal adviser have sight of it.
3.2
5th Guiding Principle Voluntary Severance ArrangementsThe Chairman advised Commissioners that work continues with Government officials and NICICTU on the wording of the draft Guiding Principle.
3.3
Location (draft 7th Guiding Principle), Equality (draft 8th Guiding Principle), and Capacity Building (draft 9th Guiding Principle).Commissioners noted that the Guiding Principles on Location, Equality and Capacity Building had been accepted by the Executive.
3.4
2nd (Revised) Guiding Principle Managing Vacancies Effectively in Existing Organisations and 4th (Revised) Guiding Principle Filling Vacancies and New or Substantially New Posts in New OrganisationsThe Chairman explained that these had been discussed at a meeting with Government officials and NICICTU on 24 September and both parties were generally enthusiastic about them. Further, informal comments had been received from both of them. Commissioners had a wide ranging discussion on both Guiding Principles including the need for the Executive to legislate for a Power of Direction and whether the drafts needed to be expanded to better reflect experience from with the Health Sector.
Agreed: Chief Executive to continue to work on drafts with Government officials and NICICTU and to discuss necessity for a Commissioners Workshop with the Chairman.
3.5
Health Protocol on Arrangements for Filling Posts below the 4th levelAgreed: Chief Executive to report back on whether document could be regarded as best practice and shared with other sectors.
3.6
Tripartite Meeting – 24th September 2007The Chairman reported that along with Collim Patton and the Chief Executive he had met Government officials and NICICTU. The meeting was primarily to deal with the revised 2nd and 4th Guiding Principles, although some other issues were touched on. Commissioners noted the OFMDFM letter of 25 September to the Permanent Secretary, DCAL, about the revised Education timescale offering the opportunity for ensuring complex issues involved in establishing the Libraries Authority to be addressed.
4. Chairman’s Business
4.1
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s letter of 8 October to all staff in Health and Social Care in Northern IrelandCommissioners discussed the letter which explains that the Minister has not yet reached final decisions on structures, but that it is now very unlikely that there will be any further changes to structures before April 2009.
Agreed:
- Chief Executive to clarify with Government officials whether there is a moratorium on any other organisational changes happening (eg Health Councils, Mental Health Commission, Health Promotion Agency).
- Chairman to write to Head of Northern Ireland Civil Service indicating that although further delay would impact on staff it might offer the opportunity of more time to ensure that complex issues round structures and staffing to be comprehensively addressed before any decision is implemented.
5. 10th Guiding Principle Re-organisation and Implementation of Change
Commissioners discussed and agreed amendments to the draft which was tabled at the meeting. The draft had been prepared following the receipt of informal comments from Government officials.
Agreed: Chief Executive to redraft following Commissioners’ comments and discuss with Government officials and NICICTU,
6. Why Public Service Commission should be retained
Commissioners had a wide ranging debate on the discussion paper which had been prepared for the meeting. Commissioners were convinced of the need for the existence of a Public Service Commission throughout the implementation of RPA decisions to safeguard the interests of staff.
Agreed:
- Chief Executive to redraft the discussion paper in light of Commissioners’ comments and to consider the case for not retaining the Public Service Commission.
- Chief Executive to advise Government officials that Commissioners would want to meet with the Head of NICS in February 2008 to discuss the future of the Public Service Commission.
7. Role of Public Service Commission in Shared Services
Commissioners discussed the paper which had been prepared for the meeting. Commissioners concluded that if shared services are connected with the Review of Public Administration then Public Service Commission Guiding Principles should apply.
Agreed:
- Chief Executive to advise Government officials of Commissioners’ conclusion and discuss it with them.
- Chief Executive to seek views of Commission’s legal adviser, particularly in relation to the 3rd Guiding Principle on Staff Transfers.
8. Research proposal update
The Chairman reported that Dessie Mitchell and the Chief Executive met Government officials on 8 October and obtained a commitment that the research would take place within the Health sector. Officials had some concerns over the wording of the questions and it was agreed that these should be re-cast to try and get more of a sense of the impact of the change on individuals, what would have made a difference and what could have been done better. The RPA Central Unit would organise a focus group which would include Health staff and Trade Union representatives to finalise the questions. Finally, it was agreed that the consultants who get the contract should have done all the preliminary work to enable them to hit the ground running at the start of January 2008.
Agreed: Chief Executive to write to Government officials confirming the Public Service Commission’s understanding of the position and the timetable.
9. Any Other Business
9.1
Review of Environmental GovernanceAgreed: Chief Executive to ask Government officials whether final decisions have been made on the recommendations of the review.
9.2
Conference on shaping the future of HRAgreed: Chief Executive to ask Local Government Staff Commission to email the detailed programme to Commissioners and confirm that Commissioners can attend selected sessions.
9.3
PWC Emerging Findings from Local Government ReviewAgreed:
- Chief Executive and Dessie Mitchell to attend stakeholder engagement event on 25 October
- Chief Executive to obtain details of sub-regional stakeholder engagement events and advise Commissioners.
10. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 20th November 2007 at 10.30am
Chairman's signature dated 16th October 2007