Plenary, 27 Jun 2002

Meeting date: Thursday, June 27, 2002

Official Report 734KB pdf

---

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

The next item of business is consideration of motions S1M-3244, S1M-3245, S1M-3246 and S1M-3247, on the appointment of a Scottish public services ombudsman and three deputy ombudsmen. Trish Godman will move all four motions en bloc and will speak to them all together.

On behalf of the cross-party group of members who formed the selection panel, I speak to the motions in my name, which invite members of the Parliament to nominate for approval to Her Majesty the Queen the first Scottish public services ombudsman and three deputies.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002, which the Parliament passed recently, makes provision for a Scottish public services ombudsman, who is independent of the Parliament and the Scottish Executive. The new ombudsman is to be appointed by Her Majesty on the nomination of the Parliament and will take over responsibility for the services currently provided by the parliamentary, health service, local government and housing association ombudsmen. The one-stop shop will also take over complaints against Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the mental health complaints with which the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland deals.

Under our standing orders, a selection panel, under the chairmanship of the Presiding Officer, was set up on behalf of the Parliament to consider the appointments. Also on the panel were Brian Fitzpatrick, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, Donald Gorrie and Andrew Welsh. I was on the panel in my capacity as the convener of the Local Government Committee, which scrutinised the passage of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002.

An extensive recruitment process was undertaken and I am pleased to report that it attracted a wide range of applicants. The panel was involved in the recruitment process from the outset and I hope that other members will have an opportunity to sit on such a panel. Much work is involved in ensuring that we have candidates who are able to fill such high-profile posts.

As a result of the process, I am pleased to recommend, on behalf of the panel, that the Parliament nominate Professor Alice Brown to be appointed by Her Majesty as the new Scottish public services ombudsman. Professor Brown is vice-principal and co-director of the institute of governance at the University of Edinburgh. She brings to the post extensive knowledge of the public sector, vast experience of community and public life through her membership of many committees and personal attributes that allow us to recommend that she be appointed the first Scottish public services ombudsman. I point out that the terms and conditions of Professor Brown's appointment as ombudsman and of the appointment of her deputies are a matter for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 also provided for up to three deputy ombudsmen who will undertake their duties on a part-time basis. The calibre of the field was high and it was not easy to make decisions, but I am pleased to recommend, on behalf of the panel, that the Parliament nominate the Rev Lewis Shand Smith, Carolyn Hirst and Eric Drake as deputy ombudsmen.

The Rev Smith, who is the rector at St John's church in Dumfries, brings to the post extensive knowledge of local government, which he has acquired through many years' service as a councillor and convener of Shetland Islands Council. Mr Eric Drake is an employee of the Scottish parliamentary and health service ombudsman. He brings to the post extensive knowledge of complaints about national health service services in Scotland and of the Scottish Executive and other agencies. Ms Carolyn Hirst is Edinvar Housing Association's director of housing services. She brings to the post extensive knowledge of the housing sector.

We believe that the team that we have proposed will prove to be formidable in undertaking a particularly responsible role in helping to shape the complaints system for the people of Scotland. I am sure that all members will wish them every success for the future.

I move,

That the Parliament nominates Professor Alice Brown to Her Majesty the Queen for appointment as the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

That the Parliament nominates Mr Eric Drake to Her Majesty the Queen for appointment as Scottish Public Services Deputy Ombudsman.

That the Parliament nominates Ms Carolyn Hirst to Her Majesty the Queen for appointment as Scottish Public Services Deputy Ombudsman.

That the Parliament nominates Reverend Lewis Shand Smith to Her Majesty the Queen for appointment as Scottish Public Services Deputy Ombudsman.

I warmly welcome Trish Godman's motions. I understand that the successful candidates will have to give their existing employers a period of notice. I express the hope that they will be in a position to start in earnest not long after the recess.

It was extremely refreshing that there were so many applicants of immense ability, talent and expertise. I not only support the motions, but wish those who will be appointed every good fortune and success in dealing with the tasks that lie ahead in their new role.

I add my support for the motions to appoint Alice Brown and the candidates who have been nominated for the post of deputy ombudsman. The process has been good and it has commanded all-party support. I am not aware of the other applicants or of their talents and expertise, which Lord James Douglas-Hamilton described.

I am certain that Alice Brown, with all her experience of governance in Scotland, will be a welcome choice as the Scottish public services ombudsman. I have no doubt that she and her deputies were chosen on merit.

Trish Godman has the opportunity to sum up, although she may waive that right if she wishes to.

She has waived that right.

Meeting suspended until 14:30.

On resuming—

Before we begin this afternoon's proceedings, I invite members to give a warm welcome to the speaker of the Norwegian Parliament—the president of the Storting—Mr Jørgen Kosmo. [Applause.]