Minutes of Proceedings 30th August 2006
Boardroom Floor 7 Goodwood. House
BT1 4NN
Present:
- Mr Sid McDowell (Chairman)
- Mr Jim McCusker
- Mr Desmond Mitchell
- Dr Collim Patton
- Mr Brian Hanna
- Professor Bernard Cullen
- Mrs Brenda McLaughlin
In Attendance:
- Mr Stephen Graham
- Ms Susan Dornan
- Mrs Iris Lovell
The Commission meeting opened at 13.30pm.
1. Apologies
There were no apologies.
The Chairman advised that the meeting would concentrate on discussions around the two draft recommendations that Commissioners had received as part of their papers and that he had a few additional matters, which would be covered as part of Any Other Business.
2. Minutes of meeting 16th August
Commissioners agreed the minutes of the 16th August 2006 meeting, with one minor amendment.
3. Matters Arising
Item 3.1 Powers of Direction
The Chairman reported that the Chief Executive had written formally to Government, seeking confirmation that “Powers of Direction” would be brought forward into legislation.
Item 3.2 Clarification letter re: Managing Vacancies recommendation
The Chairman thanked Commissioners for their comments and advised that indications were, that Government intended to accept the recommendation.
4. Chairman’s Business
Item 4.1 RPA Steering Group
The Chairman advised that he would be attending the RPA Steering Group meeting on Friday 1st September.
Item 4.2 Context for items 5 & 6
The Chairman informed Commissioners that the intention was to finalize the draft recommendations to be discussed as items 5 & 6 on the agenda, with a view to circulating to employing organisations, the sectoral Commissions and NICICTU, asking for comments by 14th September. He added that it was envisaged that both recommendations would be finalized at the Commission meeting scheduled for the 20th September and submitted to Government.
5. Draft recommendation – Third Guiding Principle & Associated Recommendations relating to Staff Transfers.
Commissioners discussed the draft recommendation and agreed a number of amendments, which would be incorporated and the revised document issued for consultation.
Agreed: Chairman and Chief Executive to recast the draft recommendation and issue for consultation.
6. Draft recommendation – Fourth Guiding Principle & Associated Recommendations relating to Filling Posts in New Organisations.
Commissioners discussed the draft recommendation and agreed a number of amendments, which would be incorporated and the revised document issued for consultation.
Agreed: Chairman and Chief Executive to recast the draft recommendation and issue for consultation.
7. Director Posts in HSS Trusts
Commissioners discussed the submission from the DHSS&PS and expressed concern at the inclusion in the short listing desirability criterion for “experience of leadership in health and social care” in both the Director of Finance and Director of HR job specifications. Commissioners agreed that the skills required to successfully fulfill the roles of both posts were transferable skills, which were not mutually exclusive to the health sector.
In relation to the Trusts’ Directors’ appointments, Commissioners agreed that the posts should be advertised within the RPA affected group.
Agreed: Chief Executive to write to Government, conveying the Commissioners’ concern in relation to the inclusion of the short listing desirability criterion.
Agreed: Chief Executive to write to Government, conveying the Commission’s recommendation in relation to how Director level posts within the Trusts should be advertised.
8. Any Other Business
Item 8.1 RPA Defined Group
The Chairman asked Commissioners to comment on the “work in progress” document defining the RPA affected group, which had been forwarded by Government.
Commissioners expressed concern that the definition of the RPA affected group was not yet complete and stressed that the definition had become an urgent requirement to enable progress in the RPA process.
The Chairman undertook to convey Commissioners’ concern and to discuss the matter further with Government and to report back on the outcome.
Item 8.2 Letter from RCN
Commissioners were asked to take delivery of a letter received from Mary Hinds and to reflect on the letter for discussion at the next meeting.
Item 8.3 Exceptions letter.
Commissioners noted the content of the “Exceptions Letter” and agreed to revisit at the next meeting.
Item 8.4 Chief Executive
The Chairman advised that the meeting was Stephen Graham’s final formal meeting with the Commission. He thanked Stephen, on behalf of Commissioners, for his contribution, for all the hard work he had invested in setting up the Commission and for the professional manner in which he had faced and dealt with the very difficult and challenging demands, that he had encountered, during his 6 months with the Commission.
The Chief Executive responded by saying how much he had enjoyed his role at the Commission, adding that he hoped to continue to add value for the length of the hand over period.
9. Date of the Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20th September from 1030 – 1600hrs.
Chairman's signature:
Date of Chairman's signature: 20th September 2006