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Appointment details

Member of the independent Parliamentary Body the Local Government Boundary Commission for England x1

Summary

• Organisation: Local Government Boundary Commission for England
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Property
• Skills: Communication, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Remuneration: £352 per day
• Length of term: 4 Years
• Application deadline: 11:59pm on 21 September 2022

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   16 August 2022

2. Application deadline

   11:59pm on 21 September 2022

3. Sifting date

   3 October 2022

4. Interviews expected to end on

   31 October 2022

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Chair

Dear Candidate 

Thank you for your interest in the vacancy for a Commissioner for the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The Commission is an independent body accountable to Parliament and responsible for recommending fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. We are looking to appoint a new Commissioner to fill a vacancy on the Commission Board that will arise shortly. 

We are hoping to hear from high-calibre candidates who can show a strong track record of independent, impartial and evidence-based decision-making at a senior level and working effectively with others from different professional backgrounds to reach collective decisions. We also wish to hear from candidates who can contribute effectively to the strategic direction of the organisation. Full details of the role, responsibilities and commitments are set out in this document, and I hope you will decide to apply. 

We want to receive applications from a wide range of individuals and welcome candidates from traditionally under-represented groups, including those from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background. Information about the Commission’s work and its Board can be found on the its website. 

Professor Colin Mellors,

Chair, 

Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Appointment description

As well as making decisions about the number of councillors and ward/division boundary arrangements in relation to individual reviews, Commissioners are responsible for setting the strategic goals of the Commission and securing their attainment and for ensuring that it discharges its functions economically, efficiently and effectively.

Within this overall framework, collectively they are responsible for amongst other things: 

• Taking decisions on key policy, regulatory and other issues (with advice from staff), principally concerning local authority electoral arrangements (i.e. the number of councillors and the number and boundaries of electoral areas) and administrative boundaries. 
• Representing the Commission externally, participating in public meetings and discussions and engaging with local political leaders and officials in those areas undergoing electoral and boundary reviews. 

Individually, members act as lead Commissioner for specific reviews, working alongside staff who prepare recommendations for collective decision by the Commission. This entails visiting areas under review, engaging in meetings with Council Leaders and members, and with others, and being in a position to offer fellow Commissioners advice or assurance on the recommendations before them. 

Remuneration and Time commitment

Commissioners are remunerated on a basis of days worked on Commission business plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. Commissioners are expected to be able to work flexibly with a current expectation of approximately 3-4 days per month. The current full daily fee is £352 (£176 for each half day). Appointments to the Commission are not pensionable.   

Location:

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (the Commission) is based in London. Work involves visiting local authorities across England on a regular basis. Where appropriate, the Commission is using a hybrid working model, including regular monthly Commission meetings. 

Restriction

For the Commission to effectively perform its functions, it must command wide confidence that it is entirely independent of Government and of political parties. Commissioners must not be, or be perceived as, associated with any political party or its policies.  There is a restriction, therefore, that Commissioners cannot, in the last ten years, have been an elected politician (other than a parish or community councillor), an officer or employee of a political party, or a reported donor or lender to a political party. Being a member of a political party is not a barrier to becoming a Commissioner, but if you are appointed you must resign your membership.  

Further background information on the Commission can be found as part of the Candidate Information Pack.

Organisation description

The Commission is an independent body responsible for recommending fair electoral and effective boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. The Commission is entirely separate from Government and is accountable to Parliament via a Committee chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons. Through its rolling programme of electoral reviews it aims to:

• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors;

• Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities;

• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances.

The Commission wants to be regarded as:

• Impartial – giving equal consideration to all views

• Objective – making recommendations based on evidence

• Responsive – listening to local opinion

• Transparent – following clear and open processes

• Professional – being reliable, efficient and helpful

Please see link here to the Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework: www.lgbce.org.uk/policy-andpublications/corporate-publications

Board composition

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 which established the Commission provides for its Board to comprise a Chair and at least four and up to eleven (ordinary) members.

It provides that Commissioners are appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for a period not exceeding five years (with a maximum

of ten in total).

The Commission currently comprises a Chair, supported by a Deputy Chair and four Commissioners, a number that the Chair considers sufficient to deliver on the Commission’s work commitments. Please see link here to the current Commissioners https://www.lgbce.org.uk/about-us/commissioners.

The Commission is supported by a team of staff lead by the Chief Executive, Jolyon Jackson CBE

Person specification

Essential criteria

The ideal Commissioner can contribute effectively to the strategic direction of an organisation that, while independent of Government and wholly non-party political, operates in an intensely political environment and works closely with both local and central government. We’re looking for someone who can:

1. Show a strong track record of independent, impartial and evidence-based decision-making at a senior level, ideally within a regulatory framework;

2. Cut through significant amounts of evidence, particularly in the form of written text and maps, identifying and assessing key lines of argument;

3. Work constructively with others from different professional backgrounds to reach collective decisions;

4. Demonstrate a strong commitment to the Principles of Public Life as published by the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and

5. Be comfortable serving as the public face of the Commission, where appropriate, with credibility and authority.

Desirable criteria

We are very interested in receiving applications from those who can:

1. Bring different perspectives and experiences to the work of the Commission, applicants from diverse backgrounds are particularly welcomed;

2. Demonstrate a deep understanding of the democratic framework of England, with a focus on the structure, form and role of local government;

3. Demonstrate experience of local government/public services in the North/Midlands to be able to offer a wider perspective on communities in those areas;

4. Offer experience and knowledge of financial and budget issues.

The Commission believes an inclusive culture enriches all that we do, both in the way we work together and the way we engage with all those local partners and communities contributing to our reviews. We value diversity and the benefits different perspectives and experiences bring to all our work so welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Application and selection process

How to apply

Please see the Candidate Pack at https://papt-candidate-packs-live.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/220826+LGBCE+Commissioner+candidate+pack+Final+pdf.pdf for full details and information about this role.

Please submit the required documentation listed at 1-3 below to Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk by 11.00 pm on 11 September 2022. If not provided, your application will not be taken forward. Late applications will not be considered. ​

​Please ensure you include ‘Local Government Boundary Commission for England, Commissioner’ as the subject line of your email. ​

​1. Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages). Include your education, professional qualifications and full employment history. ​

2. An accompanying Supporting Letter (maximum 2 pages). Please tailor this to show your suitability for the role and how you meet the Selection Criteria. We suggest you use specific examples to demonstrate how you meet the Criteria.. ​

3. Application and Diversity Information Form. This is an online form at https://forms.office.com/r/5ERRTPCyNS

You should declare any potential issues including conflicts of interest (perceived, potential or actual). This includes your personal or professional history that could, if you were appointed, be misconstrued, cause embarrassment to the Commission, DLUHC or HM Government, or cause public confidence in the appointment to be jeopardised. The Panel will explore your declarations during the interview process. Failure to disclose such information could result in an appointment either not being made or being terminated. ​

​Candidates should note that due diligence will be carried out as part of the assessment process if you are called to interview and will be shared with the Panel and Ministers. This will include searches on social media, blogs and/or other publicly available information. ​

Diversity data will be treated in confidence and is used for data gathering information only and will not affect your application. Please complete the Disability Confident section if relevant.

Please contact: Jamil Ahmed/Jonathan Scanlan Email Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk

Governance Reform and Democracy Unit

2nd Floor Fry Building

2 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DF

Telephone 0303 444 8045

Completed applications should be sent, preferably by e-mail, to the same e-mail account: Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk or to the address above.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The Advisory Assessment Panel is:

• Panel Chair - Paul Rowsell CBE, Head of Governance Reform & Democracy Unit (Departmental Official); 
• Representative of Organisation - Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (Organisation Panel Member); and
• Senior Independent Panel Member (SIPM) - Catherine Walker, Senior Independent Director, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to recommend who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk 

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. 

As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

Holders of public office are expected to adhere to and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2. These are:

1. SELFLESSNESS - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends;
2. INTEGRITY - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties;
3. OBJECTIVITY - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit;
4. ACCOUNTABILITY - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office;
5. OPENNESS - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands;
6. HONESTY - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest;
7. LEADERSHIP - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than ten years

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.  

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact the Governance Reform and Democracy Unit in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application at Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will use your data in line with their  privacy policy

Contact details

Please contact: Jamil Ahmed/Jonathan Scanlan 

Email Commissioner.Appointment2022@levellingup.gov.uk

Governance Reform and Democracy Unit

2nd Floor Fry Building

2 Marsham Street

London SW1P 4DF

Telephone 0303 444 8045