Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Official Report 782KB pdf

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Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Motions

The next item of business is consideration of Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body motions. First, we will consider motion S4M-05541, in the name of David Stewart, on the reappointment of the chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission. I call David Stewart to move the motion on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

17:26

Parliament is invited to agree to the motion in my name on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to nominate Professor Alan Miller to Her Majesty the Queen for reappointment for a second term as the chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

The reappointment process comprised three elements: independent evaluation, interview and nomination. The office-holders that the SPCB supports are subject to annual evaluation, based on set criteria that include, for example, fulfilling the functions of the post; managing the day-to-day running of the office; leadership and motivation skills; and forward planning. A report on the office-holder’s performance is prepared by the independent assessor and submitted to the SPCB, and that forms part of the information that the SPCB considers during the reappointment process.

The SPCB sat as a reappointment panel on Tuesday 11 December to consider Professor Miller for reappointment. The panel members were Linda Fabiani, Mary Scanlon and me. I place on record my thanks to Louise Rose for confirming by way of a validation certificate that the nomination is made on merit following a fair and robust reappointment process that conformed to good practice. Details of the information that the SPCB considered and the criteria on which Professor Miller was assessed are set out in a report that the SPCB has lodged in the Scottish Parliament information centre.

Professor Miller was appointed on 3 March 2008 as the first chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission. His first task was to establish his office and then, in consultation with the three part-time commission members, to set the strategic direction of the commission. As we heard in the previous debate, the commission has achieved much in its short life. On behalf of the corporate body, I wish Professor Miller and his commission continued recognition and success.

I firmly move,

That the Parliament nominates Professor Alan Miller to Her Majesty The Queen for reappointment for a second term as the Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission from 3 March 2013 until 2 March 2016.

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.

Next, we come to consideration of motion S4M-05537, in the name of Mary Scanlon, on the appointment of a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland. I call David Stewart to move the motion on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

17:29

As you know, Presiding Officer, Mary Scanlon is unfortunately ill today, and I have been asked to speak to the motion in her name.

As a member of the appointment panel, I invite members to agree to the appointment of Lindsey Gallanders as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.

As members are aware, under the Ethical Standards in Public Life Act 2000, members of the commission are appointed by the SPCB with the agreement of the Parliament. This is the first such appointment undertaken by the corporate body, as until 1 April 2007, the commission was sponsored by the Scottish Government and members of the commission were appointed by Scottish ministers.

The role of the commission, as members are aware, is to encourage high ethical standards in public life. It does that by promoting and enforcing the codes of conduct for councillors and members of devolved public bodies. The corporate body sat as a selection panel on 10 December last year. The members of the panel were Liam McArthur, Mary Scanlon and me. From a very strong field of candidates, we are seeking the agreement of Parliament to appoint Lindsey Gallanders as a member of the commission.

On behalf of the corporate body, I thank Louise Rose, the independent assessor who oversaw the process and who has confirmed by way of a validation certificate that the appointment process complied with good practice and that the recommendation to appoint Lindsey Gallanders is made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process.

We believe that Lindsey Gallanders will bring to the post enthusiasm, integrity, discretion and a commitment to ensuring that high ethical standards are upheld in public life. I am sure that the Parliament will want to wish her every success in her new role.

I move,

That the Parliament agrees, under section 8 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, to appoint Lindsey Gallanders as a member of the Standards Commission for Scotland.