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STATES OF JERSEY
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SOCIAL SECURITY TRIBUNAL: APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS
Lodged au Greffe on 10th January 2020 by the Minister for Social Security
STATES GREFFE
2020 P.2
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to appoint, in accordance with Article 33A of the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974, further to a process overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, the following persons as panel members of the Social Security Tribunal for a period of 5 years –
Mrs. Susan Cuming Mr. Robert Douglas Mr. Keith Graham.
MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
REPORT
- Background
Article 8 of the Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974 provides for the constitution of the Social Security Tribunal.
The Social Security Tribunal ("SST") has been in place since 1974 and hears appeals on a range of benefits under the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974, as well aspects of other legislation administered by Customer and Local Services ("CLS"), such as the Income Support and Health Insurance Laws.
The Tribunal will review all facts placed before it by the Appellant and the Minister for Social Security and may confirm, reverse or vary the decision made by the CLS Determining Officers.
The constitution of the Social Security Tribunal comprises a Chair (or a Deputy Chair) holding a qualification in law, and 2 lay members from a panel of up to 12 other members.
This report discusses the appointment of panel members.
- Tribunals
The Minister is responsible for the constitution of 3 different Tribunal panels, the Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal ("SSMAT"), the Social Security Tribunal ("SST") and the Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal ("ISMAT"). In consultation with the Judicial Greffe, who is responsible for the convening and administration of the Tribunals, the role of Chair was developed across all 3 Tribunals to ensure consistency of process and decision-making, and to support the further development of a Tribunals Service. The same principle is being applied, as appropriate, to Deputy Chairs and panel members, ensuring a stronger pool available for each Tribunal.
- Terms of appointment and re-appointment
The Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974 provides that members of the Tribunal are appointed by the States on the recommendation of the Minister, after consultation with the Jersey Appointments Commission, and in line with the Appointments Commission's Code for Quangos and Tribunals.
The Minister therefore recommends the appointment of –
• Mrs. Susan Cuming
• Mr. Robert Douglas
• Mr. Keith Graham,
each for a term of 5 years.
The Minister is confident that all individuals proposed have the skills necessary to uphold the fairness and integrity of the tribunal system.
Page - 3
P.2/2020
- Panel members of the Social Security Tribunal proposed for appointment
Mrs. Susan Cuming has lived in Jersey since 1983, working for the Government of Jersey until her retirement in 2015. Mrs. Cuming is a qualified senior professional in the field of human resources and has worked with a wide range of people throughout her career.
Since 2015, Mrs. Cuming has been a lay member of the Jersey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal and, since 2017, a member of the Jersey Complaints Board, both of which are independent bodies that hear complaints from members of the Public.
Mrs. Cuming volunteers for Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey.
Mr. Robert Douglas was previously a Director of a leading Trust Company, where he was mainly employed as a Trustee, a position he held for approximately 12 years.
Prior to that, Mr. Douglas worked in law, banking and finance in Jersey since 1988, including undertaking a 5 year period as a Greffier Substitute with the Royal Court.
In addition, Mr. Douglas is one of the founders of the Jersey Marathon, and he continues to serve as a Trustee.
Mr. Keith Graham has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years, holding senior board positions for the majority of that time. Mr. Graham now holds non- executive director positions for both B.G. Romeril and Fiduchi, including acting as Chair for a Compliance and Risk Committee, as well as being a member of a Nominations Committee.
Mr. Graham has also served as a Trustee for MS UK, a charity that was established for anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by improving the understanding of MS and providing support where it is needed most.
Mr. Graham has also been involved with the Jersey Employment Trust, recognising the importance of providing support services that will assist people with a disability to find employment.
- Financial and manpower implications
There are no financial or manpower implications for the States arising from the adoption of this proposition.