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Public Appointments Commissioner publishes Annual Report

THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 27 October 2008

Janet Gaymer, the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments, today published her annual report for 2007-08.

The report, delivered for the first time online, includes a range of statistics and information about appointments and re-appointments in 2007-08 to over 1,000 public bodies. The report shows:

* A further decrease in the percentage of female appointees to 32.6% from 36.2% in 2006-07;

* An increase in the number of female chairs appointed or reappointed to executive and advisory bodies from 21 in 2006-07 to 40 in 2007-08

* A decrease in the number of female chairs appointed or reappointed to NHS bodies from 126 in 2006-07 to 17 in 2007-08;

* A decrease in appointments of those from ethnic minority backgrounds (7.7%) compared with the previous two years(9.2% in 2006-07 and 8.6% in 2005-06);

* A decrease in appointments of those with disabilities (4.6%) compared with the previous year (6.1%);

* A decrease in the declaration of political activity across the major parties (10.4%), when compared with previous years (15.8% in 2006-07 and 13.3% in 2005-06);

* The lowest number of complaints to departments since 2000-2001.

"While I welcome the increase in female chairs of executive and advisory bodies, there is no disputing the fact that the overall statistics on diversity are disappointing. As Commissioner, I do not make these appointments and I know that there is a great deal of work underway. However, it is clear that we need to look very hard at what more can be done to bring a wider range of people into the public appointments process.

"To help address these issues, Ministers have agreed to broaden the remit of my role as Commissioner to include promoting diversity within the appointment processes for the public appointments that I regulate.

"With my extended remit, I intend to produce a Diversity and Talent strategy for public appointments I regulate. Among other things, this will provide practical and positive guidance for government departments in order to help encourage people of different backgrounds to step forward.

"This is important; the boards of public bodies make important decisions on the public's behalf and need a wide range of talented people to contribute their experience and skills.

Janet Gaymer continued:

"Last year we also implemented an accreditation scheme for independent assessors. The assessors ensure independent scrutiny of the Ministerial appointment processes and uphold my Code of Practice throughout the process. The new accreditation scheme will, I hope, substantially enhance the status of independent assessors and recognise their professionalism in a tangible way.

Looking forward, I will be consulting on changes to my Code of Practice over the next few months, with the intention of publishing a revised Code in the Spring."

The online annual report is available at http://www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org

Notes to Editors

1. The annual report is available at http://www.publicappointmentscommissioner.org or by calling 0207 276 2625.

2. Janet Gaymer CBE QC was appointed Commissioner for Public Appointments for England and Wales in January 2006.

3. The post of Commissioner for Public Appointments was created in 1995 following a report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Nolan.

4. The Commissioner is independent of Government and does not make appointments herself. The Commissioner's role is to regulate, monitor, report and advise on the way in which Ministers make appointments to executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies, public corporations, nationalised industries, regulators and NHS bodies.