Four years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts.
Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, every fortnight we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.
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Welsh Revenue Authority – Chair
“The WRA will deliver Welsh Ministers’ tax policy and follow the strategic direction set by them; it will however be operationally independent. It will be accountable to Welsh Ministers and to the National Assembly. As a new tax body the development and maintenance of good relationships with taxpayers and their agents will be key. It will be vital to offer clarity about its expectations of taxpayers and clarity about the services it will provide to assist taxpayers to help them to meet their tax obligations. It will be critical for the WRA to establish a positive culture of payment of taxes, to promote compliance and to deter avoidance.”
Time: Four days per month.
Remuneration: £400 per diem.
Closes: 03 January
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NHS Pay Review Body – Chair
“As the Chair of NHSPRB you will be responsible for working with colleagues to guide the Review Body to agree its overall approach and key recommendations, and effectively representing the NHSPRB in meetings with a variety of stakeholders. You will also use your own experience and expertise to contribute to the effective understanding, analysis and challenge of evidence from stakeholders and wider sources, and monitor developments in the NHS and bring insight on the issues facing the NHS to Review Body discussions.”
Time: 15 meetings per annum.
Remuneration: £350 per meeting.
Closes: 03 January
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Public Health England – Non-Executive Chair
“The Secretary of State is seeking to appoint a Non Executive Chair of Public Health England, the expert national public health agency which fulfils his power to promote the health and wellbeing of the nation. It does this through world class science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public services. Applicants will have experience of managing change in large organisations or complex systems, with strong board leadership skills and the political confidence to work effectively at the highest levels to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.”
Time: Six days per month.
Remuneration: £39,000 per annum.
Closes: 05 January
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UK Space Agency – Non-Executive Member of the Steering Board
“The UK Space Agency was established as an Executive Agency of the previous Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in April 2011. The Agency’s responsibilities include policy and delivery of the Government’s civil space requirements; working with the European Space Agency and other international organisations and agreeing with UK industry how to maximise the benefits of space technologies. The UKSA Steering Board currently consists of four independent members (including the Chair), the Agency’s CEO, Senior Information Risk Owner and a Deputy Director representing BEIS.”
Time: 20 days per annum, any additional classed as voluntary.
Remuneration: £300 per diem up to £6,000 per annum.
Closes: 05 January
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Civil Justice Council – Members
“As a Member of the Civil Justice Council you will: participate in quarterly Council meetings using your experience and expertise; monitor the progress of the work programme and the operation of its working parties; consider draft proposals for civil justice reform and consultation responses submitted by its working parties; chair or sit on time-limited working parties as required depending on your availability; act as ambassadors for the Council where appropriate.”
Time: Eight days per annum.
Remuneration: Reasonable travel expenses.
Closes: 06 January
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Health and Safety Executive – Non-Executive Directors
“The successful candidates will contribute to the Board’s role in leading the Health and Safety Executive, with the opportunity to influence the future direction of health and safety in Great Britain. Key responsibilities include: helping lead the work of HSE by operating effectively as a Board Member and by contributing to Board meetings and discussions; chairing or participating in the activities of Board Committees; maintaining effective working relationships with a broad range of networks and stakeholders; representing HSE externally, acting collectively in representing its decisions to stakeholders and the general public; acting as a mentor to HSE’s senior staff, particularly in their area of expertise; and demonstrating a commitment to the Seven Principles of Public life.”
Time: 30 days per annum.
Remuneration: £15,100 per annum.
Closes: 09 January
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BBC – Non-executive board members
“From 3 April 2017, the BBC will be governed by its Board, which will replace the two-tier governance structure of the BBC Trust and the BBC’s Executive Board. The new Board will be responsible for the exercise of all BBC functions in accordance with the Corporation’s Royal Charter. The Board will comprise fourteen members: a non-executive Chair, a designated non-executive member for each of the Nations of the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales); five other non-executive members and four executive members, including the BBC Director-General.”
Time: 1-2 days per week on average.
Remuneration: £33,000 per annum, plus £5,000 for committee chairs.
Closes: 12 January
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Ministry of Justice – Court Examiners
“Court Examiners are appointed by the Lord Chancellor under Part 34.15 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The posts are open to barristers or solicitor-advocates with three years standing. A court may order a witness to be examined before trial as to their oral or documentary evidence, either by deposition under Rule 34.8, such as where someone is too ill to attend the trial, or where a foreign court requests evidence from a person who resides in this jurisdiction and not in the jurisdiction of the foreign court.”
Time: One day per month approx.
Remuneration: “Court Examiners fees are paid by the party who obtained the order for examination.”
Closes: 26 January