Minutes of Proceedings 11th October 2006

Boardroom Floor 7 Goodwood. House

BT1 4NN

Present:

Mr Sid McDowell (Chairman)
Professor Bernard Cullen
Mr Brian Hanna
Mr Desmond Mitchell
Dr Collim Patton
Mr Jim McCusker
Mrs Brenda McLaughlin

In Attendance:

Mr Brian Martin
Mrs Iris Lovell
Miss Julie Thompson

The Commission meeting opened at 10.30pm.

1. Apologies

Apologies from Susan Dornan.

2. Minutes of meeting 20^th September

Commissioners agreed the minutes of the 20^th September 2006 meeting.

3. Matters Arising

3.1 Meeting with Minister Hanson

The Chairman advised that further to the meeting with Minister Hanson on 2^nd October, the Minister had requested a one to one meeting with him to discuss aspects of the 3rd Guiding Principle. This meeting took place on 9^th October and the Chairman reported that although the Minister could not give a guarantee that there would be no compulsory redundancy during the implementation of RPA, he undertook to reflect further on the significance of some aspects of the TUPE legislation.

3.2 Public Service Commission (PSC) Branding

Government has been updated on the Commission’s views for the need for stronger branding of PSC recommendations.

3.3 Definition of RPA affected group and DHSS&PS Director Posts

Government has been advised that the Commission has noted the publication of the RPA affected Group, the placement of the DHSS&PS advert for the HR and Finance Director posts and for the DRD Director of Network Services Post.

3.4

The Chief Executive has organized a meeting with Chief Executives of the Staff Commissions and himself. This will take place on Friday 10^th November.

3.5

Commissioners discussed the value of attending future conferences on the implementation of RPA and it was agreed that whilst there should be a PSC presence at such events, attendance should be limited to two representatives (Staff and Commissioners) in total.

3.6

Commissioners discussed the apparent lack of information being made available to staff about RPA implementation, and agreed that although the 1st Guiding Principle relating to Communication, had been accepted by Government, there still appeared to be weaknesses in this area.

Agreed: Chairman to raise the issue of Communication at RPA steering group on Friday, 13th October.

Agreed: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Communications to be a substantive agenda item for the January meeting.

4. Chairman’s Business

4.1 Workshops

The Chairman advised that a suggestion had been made to set up workshops to enable Commissioners to focus on particular topics of interest to the Commission. Commissioners agreed that sessions lasting around one to two hours would be helpful.

Agreed: Secretariat to look at possible dates/topics and make contact with Commissioners

4.2 November meeting

The November meeting has been moved from 22^nd to 29^th November.

4.3 December Meeting

The December meeting has been moved from 13^th to 12^th December.

4.4 Meeting with Enterprise Ulster

The Chairman advised Commissioners that, along with the Chief Executive had met with Joe Eagleson, Chief Executive, Enterprise Ulster on 26^th September.

4.5 SOLACE meeting

The Chairman informed Commissioners that he had spoken at the SOLACE meeting on 6^th October.

4.6 Conference 24^th October - Stormont Hotel

The Chairman advised Commissioners that he would be speaking at the conference “ Re-configuring Northern Ireland’s Public Sector- Meeting the Challenge of Implementation”.

5. Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

A letter, received from Mary Hinds, Director of RCN (issued at previous two meetings), was discussed and Commissioners agreed that a response to Mrs Hinds should confirm the Commission’s position of not consulting directly with individual unions. Commissioners also discussed the recently established parallel forum of Trade Unions, not affiliated to NICICTU, and concluded that the forum should provide RCN with an effective, appropriate and inclusive arrangement for consultation and collective bargaining.

Agreed: Chairman to respond to Mrs Hinds indicating the Commission’s position.

6. Draft Recommendation – Third Guiding Principle

Commissioners discussed the 3^rd Guiding Principle at some length and concluded that they would not be in a position to finalise the draft until clarification was received on the statutory Staff Transfer Scheme, which was being suggested by Government. It was agreed that the Chairman and Chief Executive should seek a meeting with the RPA Central Unit. Commissioners also agreed that should sufficient progress not be made at the proposed meeting, RPA officials would be invited to attend the Commission meeting on 1^st November.

Agreed: The Chairman and Chief Executive to meet with RPA officials to explore and clarify the statutory Staff Transfer Scheme.

7. Draft Recommendation - Fourth Guiding Principle

Commissioners discussed the 4^th Guiding Principle and agreed a number of amendments to the paper, which would be recast and circulated to Commissioners for further comment.

Commissioners also requested that information should be sought in writing in relation to developments between the Civil Service Commission and NICS on appointments and secondments to the Senior Civil Service.

Agreed: Chief Executive to recast the 4^th Guiding Principle and issue to Commissioners.

Agreed: Chief Executive to seek written information on appointments/secondments to the Senior Civil Service.

8.Draft Recommendation – Fifth Guiding Principle

Commissioners discussed the 5^th Guiding Principle and suggested a number of amendments. It was agreed that the Chief Executive would recast, re-circulate and include as a substantive agenda item at the next Commission meeting.

Agreed: Chief Executive to recast and re-circulate to Commissioners.

9. Location

Commissioners discussed the papers received from Government, debating the extent to which the location of public sector jobs was within the remit of the Commission and agreeing that further debate would be required at a future meeting.

Commissioners recognized the potential tensions that could arise between the principles contained in the paper. It was agreed that the Chairman would write to Government, expressing the initial views of Commissioners.

Agreed: Chairman to write to Government, outlining the Commission’s view.

Agreed: Chief Executive to include Location as a substantive agenda item at a future meeting.

10. Draft Transfer Orders in HSS Trusts – Papers from Government

The papers received from Government indicated that subject to Ministerial confirmation, DHSS&PS is about to commence an 8 week consultation process on the draft Transfer Orders. Commissioners noted the position and agreed that the Chairman should convey the Commission’s concern about the clarity of the message to staff at the RPA Steering Group meeting on 13^th October.

Agreed: Chairman to convey the Commissions concern to RPA Steering Group on Friday. 13^th October.

11. Any Other Business

None raised

12. Date of Next Meeting

1st November 2006

Chairman's signature:

Date of Chairman's signature: 1st November 2006