Minutes of Meeting 9th July 2007
Monday 9th July 2007
Boardroom 10 Cromac Place
The Gasworks
Present:
- Mr Sid McDowell (Chairman)
- Professor Bernard Cullen
- Mr Brian Hanna
- Mr Jim McCusker (present until 14.15hrs)
- Mrs Brenda McLaughlin
- Mr Desmond Mitchell
- Dr Collim Patton
In Attendance:
- Mr Brian Martin
- Miss Susan Dornan
- Mr Ian Maye, Local Government Reform, (present for item 4)
- Mr Damian Prince, OFMDFM (present for items 4 and 5)
- Mr David Bingham, DHSSPS (present for item 5)
The Commission meeting opened at 10.35am.
1. Apologies
Apologies from Iris Lovell.
2. Minutes of the meeting of 6th June 2007
The minutes of the 6th May meeting were agreed.
3. Arrangements for Proceedings
The Chairman advised Commissioners that there were delegations from Government and Health. He suggested an approach to the handling of the delegations which Commissioners agreed.
4. Representatives from Government Ian Maye (Local Government Reform, DOE) and Damian Prince, OFMDFM
The delegation arrived at 1055hrs. The Chairman welcomed the delegation and invited the OFMDFM representative to provide an update on political developments.
The representative reported on a number of points including a letter which had issued to all staff in Health and Social Care indicating that the Health Minister would be reflecting on the proposed Health and Social Care Authority and that clarification was being sought on the role of OFMDFM in the implementation of RPA. Commissioners were advised that the addendum to the Third Guiding Principle (Selection of Staff for Transfer), Voluntary Severance Arrangements(5th) and Location (7th) draft Guiding Principles are due to go before the Executive on 19 July.
Commissioners raised the issue of staff interests, communication, consistency of treatment and the key role that staff play in any successful reorganization. Commissioners asked whether a strategic approach to RPA would be maintained and what role the RPA Central Unit would play in the future.
Agreed: The Government representative noted what was said and agreed to raise the issues with the Head of the RPA Central Unit (OFMDFM).
The Director of Local Government Reform reported on the review of Local Government being led by Arlene Foster, including the planned timescale. The review will have three strands, a vision for local government, the number of councils and functions proposed for transfer to councils. The review will also consider council-led community planning and the power of well being. Other issues addressed were a newsletter to staff; the modernisation programme running in parallel with the review, and capacity building programme. Commissioners discussed a number of issues including the requirement for an EQIA; a shared vision of Local Government; identification of stakeholders; Powers of Direction and the draft Libraries Order.
The delegation departed at 12.10hrs.
5. Representatives from Health David Bingham (DHSS&PS) and Damian Prince, OFMDFM
The delegation arrived at 12.10hrs. The Chairman welcomed the Health representative who provided an update on a number of issues including the Framework document, which had been updated and was now on the Health website. On the filling of posts, the representative explained that a competitive basis applied down to 4th level but that below this level it may not be appropriate. He also explained that voluntary early retirement or redundancy may be offered if there is a surplus. Other issues discussed included salary protection; parallel trawling of posts; the position of appointees should the single Health Authority not proceed, and staff in the Mental Health Commission. The Health representative supplied further information on the interim measures being taken in Health. These were copied to Commissioners.
The Government representative indicated there had been no formal response from the Permanent Secretary DHSS&PS on a targeted approach within the Health Sector as phase one of the research project.
Agreed: Health representative to supply a copy of Health Minister’s letter, to all staff in Health and Social Care, to the Commission.
Agreed: Health representative to liaise with John Curren (HR Project Manager for transition in Education) on learning points arising from the implementation of RPA in Health.
Agreed: Health representative to supply information on the number of vacancies in the Trusts and the progress in meeting the planned staffing reductions.
The delegation departed at 13.10hrs.
6. Matters Arising
6.1
Commissioners reflected on the discussion with the delegations.Agreed: Chairman to write to the First and deputy First Ministers expressing the hope that the Executive will adopt a strategic approach to RPA and highlighting the need for staff interests to be taken into account as decisions are taken.
Agreed: Chief Executive to seek a meeting with the Head of the NICS which will be attended by all available Commissioners.
6.2
Parallel approach to trawling posts in HealthThe Chairman advised Commissioners that the issue had been dealt with under item 5.
6.3
Powers of DirectionThe Chairman advised Commissioners that the issue had been dealt with under item 4.
6.4
Staff Transfers Code of Practice/Addendum to Third Guiding Principle (Selection of Staff for Transfer)The Chairman reported that Government accepts the need for discussion on Code of Practice for 3rd Guiding Principle, in particular in relation to scope, duration and administration, and may suggest doing this is at the planned Government Workshop (see item 7.1).
Commissioners discussed and agreed the revised draft addendum on the 3rd Guiding Principle Staff Transfers – Selection of Staff for Transfer. The Chairman advised that it can not be finalized for submission to Government until the Code of Practice is agreed.
6.5
Update on draft Guiding PrinciplesThe Chairman advised that the Commission was awaiting Government’s formal response to the drafts of the 5th (Voluntary Severance Arrangements), 7th (Location), 8th (Equality), 9th (Capacity Building), 10th (Employment Relations) and 11th (Reorganisation and the Implementation of Change) Guiding Principles. Notwithstanding this, Commissioners discussed and agreed further revisions to some of the drafts. The Chairman reported that he and the Chief Executive would be meeting informally with Trade Union representatives to discuss a number of matters including the draft 10th and 11th Guiding Principles.
6.6
DHSS&PS Framework Document Parallel obligationThe Chairman advised Commissioners that the issue had been dealt with under item 5.
6.7
Detail on interim measures in DHSS&PSThe Chairman advised Commissioners that the issue had been dealt with under item 5.
6.8
Draft Libraries OrderNo response has yet been received from Government to the Chief Executive’s letter of 24 May.
7. Chairman’s Business
7.1
Government WorkshopThe Chairman reported that Government had proposed a bi-lateral workshop on 2 August 2007.
8 Research proposal
The Chairman advised Commissioners that the issue had been dealt with under item 5.
9. Impact of Restoration of the Assembly on the Work of the Commission
Commissioners discussed a number of issues including the impact of a possible sectoral approach to RPA, changes in pension schemes and possible attendees for coming Commission meetings.
Agreed: Guiding Principle 3 (Staff Transfers) to be an agenda item at the next Commission meeting.
Agreed: Will Haire (Permanent Secretary, DE) and William McKee (Chief Executive Belfast Health and Social Care Trust) to be invited to forthcoming Commission meetings.
10. Any Other Business
None.
11. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 8th August 2007, 1030 – 1600hrs
Chairman's signature dated 8th August 2007