Appointment of three new members to the Employment Forum

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made to appoint three new members to the Employment Forum.

Subject:	Appointment of three new members to the Employment Forum
Decision Reference:	MD-S-2006-0014	Exempt clause(s):	n/a
Type of Report: (oral or written)	Written	Person Giving Report (if oral):	n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a	Report File ref:	L:\General Information\Workgroups\Policy\Employment\Ministerial decisions\Report 3 new Forum members 16Jan06
Written report – Title	Appointment of three new members to the Employment Forum
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Kate Morel, Policy Principal
Decision(s): To appoint three new members to the Employment Forum in accordance with Article 21 and Schedule 2 of the Employment (Jersey) Law 2003, as amended
Reason(s) for decision: Following an appropriate recruitment and selection process, three candidates were selected to replace the three retiring Employment Forum members;  David Robinson (employee) The proposed new members are highly recommended by the Chair of the Forum, who feels that they will adequately replace the skills and knowledge of the retiring members and will also bring a new perspective to the Forum, ready to take on the challenges of Phase 2 of the employment legislation. They are due to attend their first meeting of the Forum on 15th February.
Action required: Minister to appoint the three new Forum members. Formal appointment letters will be prepared for the Minister to sign. It is not necessary to inform the States of the appointments.
Signature: (Minister/ Assistant Minister)	Date of Decision:

Appointment of three new members to the Employment Forum

Employment Forum Membership

BACKGROUND

The Forum is intended to consist of nine members, appointed on the basis of their interest in employment relations and diversity of backgrounds, with three employer, three employee and three independent representatives. The Employment Law requires that members are appointed by the Minister.

During 2005, the terms of five Forum members were due to expire. Two of those members agreed to continue for a further three year term each and the previous Committee approved the renewal of their appointments. The other three members wished to retire from the Forum at the end of their terms and it was agreed that the three available positions, one in each category, should be recruited to simultaneously.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

An advertisement was placed in the JEP, on the Social Security ‘jobs in jersey’ website and was sent to all of those on the Forum’s consultation database. Twelve applications were received from exceptionally good quality candidates and, following short-listing, eight candidates were selected for interview. Seven interviews were carried as one candidate had to withdraw due to selection for Board membership of the Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service.

Interviews were carried out by two Forum members; the new Chair, Wendy Malorey, and one other member from the same category as the applicant (e.g. the employee candidates were interviewed by an employee representative member). From the seven candidates, three were selected and invited to join the Forum, subject to Ministerial approval. Each was offered a three year term of appointment, to begin on 1st January 2006.

NEW MEMBERS

Carol Le Cocq has accepted a position as an ‘Independent’. She is currently the Deputy Head of Haute Vallée School and is due to retire at the end of this academic year.

Jan McCarthy has accepted a position as an ‘Employer representative’. She is the Director of Human Resources at Le Riche Retail, a division of CI Traders.

David Robinson has accepted a position as an ‘Employee’ representative. He works for the Jersey Electricity Company and has been the Chairman of Prospect Committee for more than 10 years.

The current and proposed members and their terms of appointment are:

Independent	Appointment end date
Wendy Malorey - Chair	Nov 2008
Sally Johnson	Sep 2006
Carol Le Cocq	Dec 2008 – subject to Ministerial approval

Employer reps
Tina Palmer	Nov 2007
Melvin Le Feuvre	Aug 2008
Jan McCarthy	Dec 2008 – subject to Ministerial approval

Employee reps
Billy Doyle	Apr 2006
Brendan Renehan	Sep 2007
David Robinson	Dec 2008 – subject to Ministerial approval