Appointment of members to the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work
SUMMARY
The constitution of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, which was agreed by the States on the 30th July 1991, provides for the appointment of members to the Council by the Social Security Committee. With the introduction of Ministerial Government, the responsibility for appointment of members now rests with the Minister for Social Security.
Due to vacancies arising from the appointment of an existing member, Mr Paul Richardson, to the position of Chairman and the resignation of an existing member, Mr Clive Russell, the Minister is requested to appoint two new members, Mr Simon Boarder and Mrs Sarah Holland, to serve on Council for a three year term of office with effect from1st November 2010.
BACKGROUND
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 and four members who are appointed to serve a three year term of office. The Minister presents a report to the States notifying of his intention to appoint the Chairman, with the Minister appointing members to 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. The Chairman and members of Council do not receive any payment for their service on Council.
Appointment of members
Mr Paul Richardson who had been a member of Council, was appointed Chairman with effect from the 1st July 2010 which resulted in a vacancy for a member. A second vacancy was created by the resignation of an existing member, Mr Clive Russell, on the 1st September 2010.
As a result of the vacancy for a member following Mr Richardson’s appointment as Chairman, an advert was placed in the Jersey Evening Post on the 9th July 2010, seeking applications from persons interested in becoming a member of Council. This provided an opportunity to any individual to put their name forward and was in accordance with the Jersey Appointments Commission Code of Practice for Appointments to Autonomous and Quasi-Autonomous Public Bodies and Tribunals.
Applications to become a member of Council were received from Mr Simon Boarder and Mrs Sarah Holland. Copies of their C/V’s are attached as an appendix to this report. Both applicants were seen by Mr Richardson and myself on 12th August 2010, and have since attended Council meetings in order to meet other Council members and familiarise themselves with the current aims and objectives of Council.
Mr Richardson, supported by other Council members, has concluded that both Mr Boarder and Mrs Holland will make a significant contribution to the work of the Council. As there was originally only one vacancy for a member, it had been intended that, with his agreement, Mr Boarder would serve on Council as a co-opted member, however with the resignation of Mr Russell which results in a second vacancy for a member, Mr Richardson is proposing that both Mr Boarder and Mrs Holland be appointed by the Minister as members of Council.
Financial and manpower implications
Members of Council serve on an honorary basis and, therefore, these appointments have no implications for the financial or manpower resources of the States.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Minister agrees to the proposal put forward by Mr Paul Richardson, Chairman of the Jersey Council for Safety and Health at Work, for the appointment of Mr Simon Boarder and Mrs Sarah Holland to serve as members of Council for a three year term of office commencing 1st November 2010
Colin Myers
Director of Health and Safety
22 nd October 2010