'Public appointments
rules need to be simplified' Sir David Normington, Commissioner
for Public Appointments
Issued by the News
Distribution Service on behalf of The Commissioner for Public Appointments
Sir David Normington, the independent Commissioner for Public
Appointments, today launched a consultation on the way Ministerial
appointments to public bodies are regulated.
The consultation, which will run until September, sets out
proposals for reform which aim to simplify the current regulatory
system and encourage wider fields of applicants.
Sir David said:
"Public bodies spend over £30 billion each year and are
responsible for many issues that directly affect the safety,
protection and well being of the public. It is important to our
economy and wider public life that Ministers are able to appoint
the very best people - selected on merit after a fair and open
process - to these posts and that the public can have confidence
that cronyism and political patronage have not played a part.
"The gains made in the last fifteen years in these areas
must be protected and built upon. But there is also
dissatisfaction with the complexity of the processes which have
developed for regulating these appointments with a perception that
the focus is on getting the process right rather than getting the
best outcome.
"Having spoken to large numbers of those involved in
public appointments since I took up post in April, I am clear that
the regulatory system is now ready for a major overhaul to return
it to something clearer, simpler and more focused on the basic job
of getting the best candidates from a strong and diverse field."
Sir David continued:
"The proposals in my consultation document represent a
significant shift in the approach to public appointments
regulation. The new system would be founded on three simple
principles: merit, fairness and openness. It would be simpler,
stripped of all but the essential processes required to uphold the
principles. And it would be risk based, focussing oversight where
the risks are greatest.
"Such a shift places responsibility more firmly with
Government Departments, who will be held accountable for making
successful appointments. This will require some significant
improvements in their capability. The consultation includes a
challenge to them to up their game and proposes a centre of
excellence to promote best practice and widen the pool of suitable
applicants. It argues for all Ministerial appointments to
permanent public bodies and statutory office to be regulated and
calls on Departments to justify why any such appointments should
not be made on merit after a fair and open process.
"I have three simple aims. I want to protect and build
upon the progress since the original Nolan report in reducing
patronage and cronyism. I want the public and Parliament to have
confidence that the fundamental principles of merit, fairness and
openness are being upheld. Above all I want everyone focussed on
how we get strong and diverse fields from which the best
candidates are appointed. I hope this consultation paper will
start an active and lively debate about how this is achieved and I
would like to hear from anyone who has something to say."
To download a copy of the consultation document or to find out
more about the work of the Commissioner for Public Appointments go
to: http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk
Notes to Editors 1. Media enquiries about the
work of the Commissioner for Public Appointments should go to
Maggie O'Boyle on 07880 740627
2. Sir David Normington was appointed Commissioner for Public
Appointments for England and Wales and 1st Civil Service
Commissioner on 1 April 2011.
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 for Public Appointments regulates the
processes by which Ministers (including Welsh Assembly Government
Ministers) make appointments to the boards of national and
regional public bodies. He also currently regulates appointments
processes in relation to some bodies in Northern Ireland. For more
information about the Commissioner's remit go to: http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Maggie O'Boyle
Phone: 0207 276 2594
Mobile: 07880 740627
maggieob1@btinternet.com