Vacancy -- Member - Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales

Vacancy details

Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales
Meetings held virtually, in Cardiff and across Wales
£282 per day.  Members are also entitled to travel and other expenses within reasonable limits.
1
month

Function of body

Functions of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales

In October 2021, the 10 Year Review of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (the review) was published. The independent report made recommendations in relation to the operation of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (the Panel) and the secretariat support it receives from the Welsh Government.

Welsh Ministers agree with the recommendation secretariat support for the Panel should be provided by a body other than the Welsh Government, which would reinforce the independence of the Panel’s operation and functions and avoid conflicts of interest within the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government propose to enable the Commission (the current Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales) to provide secretariat support, removing the function from the Welsh Government. The Commission is already a body corporate and can employ staff, hold assets, is required to have an audit committee, and produce accounts. Welsh Ministers believe, therefore,  as well as addressing the recommendation in the Review relating to the secretariat function these arrangements will provide for greater transparency and efficiency of the Panel’s operation.

Welsh Ministers propose moving further than the Review’s recommendations by dissolving the Panel and transferring its functions to the Commission. This would mean one set of commissioners would determine the numbers of councillors across Wales, the electoral arrangements, and the remuneration of councillors. There is significant synergy in this work, which relies on the same data relating to the role of councillors, the matters impacting upon that role and an understanding of the communities councillors represent.

These proposals are set out in the Welsh Government’s Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper.

A vacancy for a member of the Commission is also being advertised at the moment and we welcome applications from individuals for both posts.

Role description

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of setting the range and maximum level of remuneration payable to: 

  • County and county borough councillors
  • Members of National Park Authorities
  • Members of Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities
  • town and community councillors

 

Role and responsibilities 

The Panel is required to produce an annual report, which prescribes the level of allowances paid to councillors and members of the organisations listed above. The Panel may also produce Supplementary Reports at any time that it considers necessary. In preparing its reports the Panel is required to take into account the likely financial impact of its decisions on the authority or authorities in question. Panel members also consider any suggested changes to the salary of a chief executive of a county or county borough council, as and when required.

 

Member’s role description 

  • Participation in Panel Meetings including agenda and direction setting, evidence generation and discussion and constructive challenge and determine levels of remuneration.
  • Purposeful engagement with a wide range of individuals and organisations about remuneration issues.          
  • Analysis and interpretation of information and effective use of evidence to support  Panel decision making.
  • Contribute to policy development through experience / knowledge of local government or other branches of public service.
  • Understanding of and commitment to equality and challenging discriminatory practices in undertaking the role of Member. 

    Welsh language skills

    The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
    Desirable
    Can read most work-related material
    Can write basic messages on everyday topics
    Can understand all work-related conversations
    Can hold most work-related conversations

    Person specification

    To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.

    Essential Criteria

    All Candidates should show evidence of: 

    • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to individuals ranging from members of the public to elected representatives and senior leaders.
    • Ability to interpret and analyse evidence from a wide range of sources and reach decisions based upon that evidence which are both fair and reasonable.
    • Ability to work confidently as a member of the team and independently as required. 
    • An understanding and commitment to equality and challenging discriminatory practices.
    • Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of public life (Nolan Principles).
    • Ability to work in a politically neutral way.
    • An understanding of the importance of local democracy and public service.

     

     Desirable criteria for the Member role 

    • Ability to understand and speak Welsh
    • Awareness of the role of councillors and / or the work of county and county borough councils and town and community councils, National Park Authorities and Welsh Fire and Rescue Authorities.
    • Experience of commissioning and analysing research
    • Experience of remuneration policies within the public sector

     

    Interview dates

    13 March 2023
    17 March 2023

    Closing date

    27/01/2023, 16:00

    Additional information

    For further information regarding the selection process, please contact:

     

    Public Appointments Team

    Public Bodies Unit

    Email: publicappointments@gov.wales

     

    For further information regarding the role of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and the role of Member please contact Leighton Jones, Local Government Democracy Division:


    Tel: 0300 025 3038

    Email: Leighton.jones@gov.wales

    If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Public Appointments Team on publicappointments@gov.wales.

     

    For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments.

    How to apply

    To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

    Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

    In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

    It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

    If you’d like to apply for this opportunity in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

    If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Public Appointments Team on  PublicAppointments@gov.wales.

    For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

    Commissioner for Public Appointments logo

    This vacancy is closed to applications.