Tag: Commissioners

Enough’s enough: No more Commissioners, says Holyrood Committee

‘ROOT AND BRANCH REVIEW NEEDED’

Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee has called for a moratorium on the creation of any new commissioner-style bodies in Scotland.

The committee says it heard compelling evidence that the current framework for how such bodies operate “lacks coherence” and “isn’t fit for purpose”.

In its inquiry report, the cross-party MSPs say a “root and branch” review is necessary before any further bodies are created, or the powers of existing ones are expanded.

While the committee’s report specifically focuses on bodies directly responsible to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), it hopes the findings can “set the tone” for decisions around the wider public body landscape in Scotland.

Scotland already has seven SPCB-supported bodies in operation, but the number could double before the end of the current five-year parliamentary term if current proposals were to progress.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Our inquiry isn’t about the merits, or otherwise, of existing SPCB-supported bodies. The post-holders we spoke to are a dedicated group of people with a common purpose to serve Scotland in the public interest.

“The evidence shows, however, there is no clear, coherent framework underpinning how all of these bodies operate. Over the years, the landscape has developed in an ad hoc way, with new commissioners being agreed on a case-by-case basis.

“It’s led to a disjointed landscape of individual bodies with varying functions and powers. There is also evidence of duplication and overlap between existing SPCB-supported bodies and other public bodies in Scotland.”

SIX new bodies being considered

Mr Gibson added: “Once the Patient Safety Commissioner becomes operational the number of SPCB-supported bodies will stand at eight. Proposals for a further six new advocacy-type SPCB supported bodies are currently being considered.

“This proliferation appears primarily to have been driven by calls to respond to perceived failures in public service delivery, or to bring prominence to certain issues or policies.

“It is our clear view that this advocacy role is for MSPs to undertake, with Parliament holding Government to account. We also believe that funding for new bodies would be better spent on improving the delivery of local public services, where greater impact can be made.

“Continuing the trend for creating new advocacy-type SPCB-supported bodies is not sustainable, especially at a time of significant pressure on public finances in Scotland.”

Root and branch review

Mr Gibson concluded: “Now is the time to pause and take stock. Before adding any more to the mix, we must first design a coherent structure, with enhanced accountability and scrutiny mechanisms, along with effective delivery and measurement of outcomes.

“The committee therefore calls for a moratorium on creating any new SPCB-supported bodies, or expanding the remit of existing bodies, until a ‘root and branch’ review of the structure is carried out, drawing on the evidence and conclusions set out in this report.

“We also make a series of recommendations that will, in the meantime, improve transparency, accountability, scrutiny and value for money of existing bodies.”

The committee also recommends:

  • the review should be undertaken by a dedicated parliamentary committee, including all political parties, and with meaningful engagement by the Scottish Government – to be completed by June 2025.
  • the Scottish Government should set out how it plans to use this report to “set the tone” for the Scottish Government’s wider review of the public body landscape, as highlighted by the Minister for Public Finance during evidence.

https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/committees/committee-reports

Holyrood Committee announces inquiry into Scotland’s Commissioners

DOES SCOTLAND NEED YET MORE COMMISSIONERS?

A new parliamentary inquiry examining Scotland’s Commissioner ‘landscape’ has been announced.

Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee will investigate whether a more “coherent and strategic approach” is needed for the creation of any further commissioners.

Scotland currently has seven commissioners directly responsible to Parliament. An eighth – the Patients Safety Commissioner – was agreed by Parliament in September 2023.

A further six commissioners have been proposed, or are being considered, that could potentially bring the total number to 14 by the end of this five-year session of Parliament.

Finance and Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “Seven commissioners cost £16.6m, according to budget figures for 2023/24.  Each office comes with its own staff and its own running costs. 

“The smallest cost £0.3m and the largest £6.7m.  More are being proposed, or considered, by both the government and by backbench MSPs.

“Our committee believes this inquiry is both timely and necessary.

“The Scottish Government has already stated there is very little published research on commissioners in Scotland – or the UK – and little evaluation exploring their pros and cons, powers or ways of working.

“Our committee will therefore investigate whether a more coherent and strategic approach is needed for the creation of such commissioners in Scotland.”

The committee will launch a call for views in January. Oral evidence will be taken in March / April. The committee’s report is expected to be published in May / June 2024.