Appointment of Chairman to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health aT work
1. SUMMARY
The Minister for Social Security nominates the Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, in accordance with the procedure set out in Proposition P. 205/2009 ‘Appointments made by the States: Revised Procedures’.
The term of office of the current Chairman, Mr. Paul Leighton Richardson, expires at the end of June 2013; however, he has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Council for a further period of three years, subject to the approval of the Minister and the States.
It is recommended that the Minister agrees to put forward Mr Richardson’s name for consideration by the States for re-appointment as Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, for a three year period.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1 The Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work
The Council is an independent body set up by the States, to promote the health and safety of workers and others affected by work activities. The Council consists of a Chairman, nominated by the Minister in accordance with Proposition P.205/2009, and four members appointed by the Minister.
Proposition P. 205/2009 ‘Appointments made by the States: Revised Procedures’, agreed by the States on the 2nd February 2010, requires the Minister for Social Security to present a report to the States providing details of his nominee, together with a brief description of the duties of the position and the selection process.
The Council is involved with raising the profile of health and safety at work by carrying out awareness campaigns and other promotional activities, arranging seminars, engaging with industry representatives to promote initiatives aimed at improving health and safety performance and organising training courses which are not provided by trainers currently working in the Island. The Council also provides a source of information through its website, which includes a directory of local training providers and details of current campaigns.
The Council receives an annual grant to carry out its work and is required to submit an annual report and audited accounts to the States.
2.2 Appointment process
Under the terms of the Jersey Appointments Commission Code of Practice for Appointments to Autonomous and Quasi-Autonomous Public Bodies and Tribunals, the Council is considered to be a Lower Tier body. The appointment process for the Chairman has therefore been carried out in accordance with the principals and practices set out in the Code of Practice.
Applications for the position were invited from interested parties through the post being advertised in the Public Notice section of the Jersey Evening Post. Only one application for the position of Chairman was received. This was from the existing Chairman, Mr Paul Leighton Richardson who, under the terms of the Code of Practice, is eligible to serve a further term of office.
2.3 Mr Paul Leighton Richardson
Mr Richardson was first appointed to serve as a member of the Council on the 1st July 2008, and subsequently appointed to the role of Chairman on the 1st July 2010. During the time he has served on Council Mr Richardson has shown an enthusiasm and commitment in seeking improvements in the arrangements for health and safety at work and, since taking over the role of Chairman, has shown strong leadership and commitment to the aims of the Council.
Mr Richardson is currently employed as the Managing Director of Building Renovations Limited. He is also a member of the British Institute of Facilities Management, a BREEAM Commercial Energy Assessor, Member of the Institute of Directors, Trustee of Centre Point Trust and a member of the Sustainable Business Forum of the Chamber of Commerce.
2.4 Financial and manpower implications
The Chairman of the Council serves in an honorary capacity and, therefore, this appointment has no implications for the financial or manpower resources of the States.
3. RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Minister agrees to put forward a report, included as an Appendix, to the States, nominating Mr Paul Leighton Richardson for appointment as Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work for a three year period, from the 1st July 2013.
Colin Myers
Director of Health and Safety
20th May 2013
Social Security: 20th May 2013
Colin Myers
File No: 3/12
Appendix
Report
In accordance with the decision of the States made on the 2nd February 2010 in support of the Proposition made by the Privileges and Procedures Committee, P.205/2009 ‘Appointments made by the States: Revised Procedures’, the Minister for Social Security hereby notifies the States of his intention to appoint Mr Paul Leighton Richardson to the position of Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work for a period of three years with effect from the 1st July 2013.
Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work
The Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work was established by the States in 1973 as an independent body to promote health and safety at work.
The constitution of the Council was amended in 1991 to provide for a Chairman to be appointed by the States, and four members, appointed by the Social Security Committee, (a task now undertaken by the Minister for Social Security), all of whom have been recognised as having an interest in health and safety at work. The Council is assisted by a part – time secretary, the only paid employee of the Council, the Chairman and members serving in an honorary capacity.
The procedure for appointment of the Chairman has been revised as a result of P.205/2009, requiring the Minister for Social Security to present a report to the States providing details of his nominee, together with a brief description of the duties of the position and the selection process.
The Council’s terms of reference, as set out in the proposition agreed by the States in 1991, is “to take all necessary steps to promote the safety and health of workers and others affected by work activities” with its objectives, which are also noted in the proposition, to:
a) identify and examine problem areas in matters covered by their terms of reference, and to provide educational and training facilities where these measures appear to be needed in these areas;
b) to promote interest in general occupational accident prevention in Jersey and to foster and develop the spirit of co-operation between employer and employee as regards safety and health at work;
c) to provide opportunities for informed comment on any matters connected with occupation safety and health;
d) to afford facilities for the pooling and dissemination of knowledge, for the study of the appropriate statutory requirements, for the reading of papers and the promotion of lectures and discussion and for such other activities as may tend to further the general objectives of the Council.
In accordance with the terms of reference and objectives, Council is involved with raising the profile of health and safety at work by carrying out awareness campaigns and other promotional activities, arranging seminars, engaging with industry representatives to promote initiatives aimed at improving health and safety performance and organising training courses which are not provided by trainers currently working in the Island. The Council also provides a source of information through its website, including a directory of local training providers and details of current campaigns.
The constitution of the Council requires the Chairman to be widely respected in the Island and not a substantial employer themselves, their role being to lead and direct the Council members to achieve the aims and objectives of the Council.
The Council receives an annual grant to carry out its work and is required to submit an annual report and audited accounts to the States.
Appointment process
Under the terms of the Jersey Appointments Commission Code of Practice for Appointments to Autonomous and Quasi-Autonomous Public Bodies and Tribunals, the Council is considered to be a Lower Tier body. The appointment process for the Chairman has therefore been carried out in accordance with the principles and practices set out in the Code of Practice.
Mr Paul Leighton Richardson
Only one application for the position of Chairman was received. This was from the existing Chairman, Mr Paul Leighton Richardson who, under the terms of the Code of Practice, is eligible to serve a further term of office.
Mr Richardson was first appointed to serve as a member of the Council on the 1st July 2008, and subsequently appointed to the role of Chairman on the 1st July 2010. During the time he has served on Council Mr Richardson has shown an enthusiasm and commitment in seeking improvements in the arrangements for health and safety at work and, since taking over the role of Chairman, has shown strong leadership and commitment to the aims of the Council.
Mr Richardson is currently employed as the Managing Director of Building Renovations Limited. He is also a member of the British Institute of Facilities Management, a BREEAM Commercial Energy Assessor, Member of the Institute of Directors, Trustee of Centre Point Trust and a member of the Sustainable Business Forum of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr Richardson’s curriculum vitae is included as an Appendix to this report.
In view of Mr Richardson’s experience and commitment to health and safety at work, it is considered that he is a suitable candidate to be appointed to the position of Chairman of the Council.
The appointment is an honorary position and this proposition, therefore, has no implication for the financial or manpower resources of the States.
Appointment
The appointment of Mr Richardson as Chairman to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work will be confirmed on the 1st July 2013 for a period of three years.
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