Recommendations for Appointment to the Social Security Tribunal.

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A decision made (20/02/2009) regarding: Recommendations for Appointment to the Social Security Tribunal.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2009-0003
Decision Summary Title :	Recommendations for Appointment to the Social Security Tribunal		Date of Decision Summary:	20 February 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Janice Waddell Compliance and Governance Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Proposition to recommend Tribunal Appointments		Date of Written Report:	20 February 2009
Written Report Author:	Janice Waddell Compliance and Governance Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Recommendations for Appointment to the Social Security Tribunal
Decision(s): The Minister approved a report and proposition recommending to the States the appointment of certain persons as members for the Social Security Tribunal.
Reason(s) for Decision: To appoint new members as the Social Security Tribunal also now hears appeals under the Income Support legislation and therefore a greater number of panel members may need to be available. All appointments are made by the States.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications regarding the appointment of the Tribunal Members.
Action required: The Chief Officer of Social Security to liaise with the Greffier of the States with a view to lodging the projet ‘au Greffe’ for consideration by the States at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Recommendations for Appointment to the Social Security Tribunal.

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion -

to appoint, in accordance with Article 8 of the Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974, further to a process overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, the following persons as members of the Social Security Tribunal for a period of 5 years –

Mr Geoffrey Esnouf Panel Member

Mr Stewart Hill Panel Member

Mrs Marion Perchard Panel Member

Mrs Judith Queree Panel Member

MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

REPORT

The Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974 (as amended) provides for the recruitment and constitution of the Social Security Tribunal. Following recruitment, all Tribunal members are appointed by the States on the recommendation of the Minister for Social Security.

The Social Security Tribunal has been in place since 1974 and hears appeals on a range of benefits under the Social Security Law such as the Old Age Pension, Short and Long-Term Incapacity Allowance and Maternity Allowance. However, with the implementation of the Income Support Scheme in January 2008, appeals on determinations under this benefit will also be referred to the Social Security Tribunal. The exception is questions arising from the Impairment Component which are referred to the Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal already established. Therefore, recruitment has taken place for additional panel members who have insight in the areas that are covered by all of the different benefits.

The constitution of the Social Security Tribunal comprises a Chair, and one or more Deputy Chairs holding a qualification in law, and a panel of up to 12 other members: there are currently only two appointed panel members.. For the purposes of a hearing, the Tribunal consists of the Chair, (or Deputy), and two panel members.

Following a period of open recruitment and structured interviews chaired by a representative of the Jersey Appointments Commission, the Minister for Social Security is satisfied that the individuals proposed as panel members have suitable knowledge and experience to undertake the duties of a Tribunal panel member and recommends their appointment.

Terms of appointment

The legislation does not prescribe a term; however, the recommendation of the Appointments Commission is a three to five year term and a maximum of 10 years. It is proposed that each of the following new members is offered an initial term of five years, to begin from the date of States approval.

The legislation does allow a member to resign at any time and provides for the other circumstances in which he or she will cease to hold office, such as bankruptcy or misconduct.

There are no financial or manpower implications as a result of these appointments.

Further details of the proposed new panel members are provided below:

Mr G Esnouf	Mr Geoff Esnouf has had 42 years experience before retiring from the States. Prior to retirement, he was the Administrator for Mental Health Services at St Saviour’s Hospital and was actively involved with the operation of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, giving him good understanding of the tribunal process. Geoff has been Chairman of Committees associated with local football administration as well as D’Hautree School P.T.A. for 2 years and was on the Board of Governors of D’Hautree and then Haute Vallee School for a total of 6 years.

Mr S Hill	Mr Stewart Hill has recently retired after 40 years working in the IT industry, predominantly within the finance sector. In a work capacity he has been involved in many projects, requiring an ability to make informed decisions. Stewart has undertaken many fund raising activities for charities with which he is involved.

Mrs M Perchard	Mrs Marion Perchard has experience of social issues and the benefit system through her career in social services, both in Jersey and the UK. This has enabled her to understand the type of complex social and family issues that may be presented to the Tribunal and the skills to interpret information and reach considered decisions.

Mrs J Queree	Mrs Judith Queree has been a member of the Youth Court Panel for nine years, which has given her experience in considering presented evidence. Judith has gained knowledge of the benefit system during her time sitting on St. Ouen’s Welfare Panel from 1991 until 2007. She is currently Vice-Chairman of Les Quennevais School Board of Governors, commencing as a Parent Governor in 1995.