Jersey Overseas Aid Commission - appointment of Commissioners

STATES OF JERSEY

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JERSEY OVERSEAS AID COMMISSION: APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS

Presented to the States by Deputy J.J. Huet of St. Helier and lodged au Greffe on 1st November 2005

by Senator S. Syvret

STATES GREFFE

PROPOSITION

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion

( a ) t o appoint, in accordance with paragraph 2(3)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Jersey Overseas Aid

Commission (Jersey) Law 2005, the following elected members of the States as States Commissioners –

(i ) S e n a tor Paul Francis Routier;

(i i) D e p u ty Terence John Le Main of St. Helier ;

( b ) t o appoint, in accordance with paragraph 2(3)(b) of Schedule 2 to the Jersey Overseas Aid

Commission (Jersey) Law 2005, the following persons as Non-States Commissioners for the periods shown –

(i ) M r . L eslie Rufus Crapp (one year)

(i i) M r . Kenneth William Syvret MBE (2 years) (i ii ) M r s. Toni Roberts (3 years).

DEPUTY J.J. HUET OF ST. HELIER

REPORT

Following the registration in the Royal Court of the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission (Jersey) Law 2005 on 19th August 2005 it was possible to begin the practical steps to establish the Commission which will replace the present Overseas Aid Committee. The first step was, of course, my own appointment as Chairman designate of the Commission on 13th September 2005.

The Law requires the Chairman, in making nominations, to use his or her best endeavours "to ensure that the Commissioners shall be a diverse and balanced group of people in terms of gender, age, experience and skills, who share a commitment to the promotion of the objects of the Commission". In order to ensure that the appointments of the Non-States Commissioners were made in a fair and transparent manner the selection process was undertaken in accordance with the procedures for such appointments established by the Jersey Appointments Commission with Mr. Mike Liston, Chairman of the Commission, involved at every stage in the selection process. An advertisement was drafted in consultation with Mr. Liston drawing attention to the particular skills that it was felt were needed in the Commissioners, particularly in the early stages of the Commission's work, The advertisement (attached at Appendix 1) was placed in the Jersey Evening Post seeking nominations and only persons who responded to that advertisement were considered for these positions.

There were 19 applicants for the 3  Non-States Commissioner posts all of whom brought a variety of skills and experience. Making a selection was therefore extremely difficult as virtually every single applicant could have been suitable in some way for these positions. After an initial assessment and rating of the suitability of applicants informal meetings involving Mr.  Liston, the Greffier of the States and me were held with some of the applicants.

The 3  nominees being put forward, Mr. Leslie Crapp, Mr. Ken Syvret and Mrs. Toni Roberts, were the unanimous choice of the selection panel as it was felt that they most closely met the requirements for these positions as set out in the advertisement. They each bring particular professional skills and have all, in different ways, shown a very strong commitment to overseas aid. A short biography of each is attached at Appendix  2. In order to ensure continuity in the Commission the Law specifies that the initial appointments are made for different periods as set out in the proposition so that, in future, one post will become vacant every year. Subsequent appointments will all be for a 3-year period.

The Law requires the Chairman designate to nominate 2 States members for the Commission and I am pleased that Senator Routier and Deputy Le Main have agreed to serve in this capacity. Deputy Le Main has served on the Overseas Aid Committee on a number of occasions since he was first elected to the States and I am pleased that Senator Routier will bring his business experience to the Commission. In accordance with the Law both will, if the proposition is approved, serve on the Commission until December 2008.

I apologise to members for bringing this proposition on a blue' but because of the decision to follow the proper selection process in accordance with the Appointments Commission procedures it was not possible to finish the advertising and subsequent selection process by the 2-week lodging deadline for this meeting which, as members know, is the last opportunity before the elections to deal with this matter.

There are no financial and manpower implications arising from this proposition.

Advertisement placed in the Jersey Evening Post JERSEY OVERSEAS AID COMMISSION NON-STATES COMMISSIONERS

The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission is being established as part of the overall government reforms to take over the functions of the present Overseas Aid Committee which has administered overseas grant aid, community project funding and disaster aid for nearly four decades. The Commission will consist of three States Members, one of whom will be the Chairman, and three lay members, known as Non-States Commissioners'.

Applications are invited for the three Non-States Commissioners posts. Although unpaid, the Commissioners' role presents an interesting and satisfying opportunity to help to ensure that Jersey's multi-million pound aid budget is effectively and properly administered. Commissioners can expect to attend approximately one meeting per month and must be able to participate in a 4 or 5 day visit by the Commission to the UK each year, to interview the many agencies applying for grants.

Commissioners need to be able to assess applications for aid dispassionately, objectively and decisively. The Commission's role includes evaluation of the integrity and financial soundness of the agencies applying for grants and the viability of community projects seeking funds.

The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission Law, which establishes the Commission, requires the Chairman, in making nominations, to take steps to ensure that the Commissioners are a diverse and balanced group of people in terms of gender, age, experience and skills, who all share a commitment to the promotion of the objects of the Commission. Ideally, applicants will have some legal, accountancy, banking or other general business experience.

Applications should be sent to the Greffier of the States, States Greffe, Morier House, St.  Helier, JE1 1DD no later  than  Friday  30th  September  2005.  Applicants  should  set  out  brief  personal  details  in  their  letter  of application and specify any relevant skills and experience for the post. Further details of the work undertaken by Overseas  Aid  are  available  on  request  from  the  Greffier  of  the  States  on  502003  or  by  e-mail  to m.delahaye@gov.je.

On 13th September 2005 the States appointed Deputy Jacqui Huet as Chairman designate of the Commission and potential applicants are welcome to contact her on 720783 to discuss the position informally before submitting a formal application.

NON-STATES COMMISSIONERS

Mr. Leslie Crapp (one year)

Mr.  Crapp is a Chartered Accountant and was Channel Islands Managing Partner of Coopers Lybrand from 1978 to 1990 when he retired from practice. As well as his professional experience in the finance sector he has undertaken a variety of community and voluntary service for organisations including Family Nursing and Home Care (Treasurer and Chairman), Save the Children Jersey Branch (founder member, Committee member and Treasurer), FCJ Primary School (Governor), St.  George's Preparatory School (Governor and Trustee) and the Société Jersiaise (Treasurer). In addition he has served in various honorary positions for Highlands College, was a member of the Rent Control Tribunal from 1990 to 1995 and the first Chairman of the Rates Appeal Board from 1995 to 2005. For 15 years Mr.  Crapp has been Honorary Executive Officer of the Overseas Aid Committee and in this capacity has given tirelessly of his time on behalf of successive Committees. He has also participated in 3 overseas aid work projects and paid numerous visits to agencies in the field. Mr.  Crapp will, of course, be required to relinquish this rôle on his appointment as a Commissioner.

Mr. Kenneth Syvret (2 years)

Mr.  Syvret qualified as a Solicitor in 1966 but has now retired from practice. He is a former President of the Jersey  Law  Society.  He  was   Deputy  of  St.  Ouen  from  1996  until  2002  and  served  on  the  Overseas  Aid Committee. He is currently Chairman of the Guide Dogs for the Blind (Jersey Branch), President of the Maison des  Landes  Trust,  Chairman  of Genuine  Jersey', Churchwarden  of  St.  Ouen's  Church  and  Greffier  of  the Ecclesiastical Court. He serves on a number of Committees within the Parish of St.  Ouen including the Homes for the Elderly Committee and he has been the Editor of the parish magazine for 6  years. Mr.  Syvret assisted th Committee in preparing the terms of reference and law drafting instructions for the establishment of the Overseas Aid Commission.

Mrs. Toni Roberts (3 years)

Mrs.  Roberts is currently the European Fiduciary Services Business Manager for J.P.  Morgan Trust Company (Jersey) Limited. She is responsible for managing and developing business relating to clients in Asia, Latin America  and  Europe  requiring  fiduciary  structures.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Trust  and  Estate Practitioners, an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and is a former chairman of the local branch. She is a member of the International Committee of Rotary and Chairman of the IOD Education  and  Training  Sub-Committee.  Mrs.  Roberts  has  undertaken  a  number  of  overseas  visits  in  her professional  capacity  to  deal  with  charitable  settlements  and  has  taken  a  very  active  role  in  ensuring  that charitable donations from trusts have been correctly dealt with. She was a member of an overseas aid working party to Ecuador in 2001, the leader of the 2004 India working party and was a member of the working party which reviewed the activities of Overseas Aid work parties in 1999.