Book Description

This report is the first major Parliamentary examination of the new appointments procedures for public bodies. The Committee finds the Government is genuinely committed to opening up the appointments system to a wider range of people, especially to increasing the proportions of women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities on the boards of public bodies. Real progress has been made since 1997, but much more needs to be done. Recommendations to raise public confidence in the system and expand participation include: that Parliamentary Select Committees should have a role in appointments in key public posts; the establishment of a Public Appointments Commission to promote transparency and eradicate any element of patronage; the need for a Single Equality Bill to provide a statutory framework for equality and diversity, as well as to satisfy international and EU commitments to promote equal treatment rights for all; a high-profile national strategy to increase diversity and lay representation on public bodies, including appropriate remuneration, more flexible hours and mentoring schemes to tackle socio-economic barriers; and experimental schemes for appointments by a form of lot, using the National Lottery Community Fund's regional committees as a model, and the use of elections in some circumstances, especially at local level.