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Role details

British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) Deputy Chair and Members

Application deadline 26 March 2023

Summary

Organisation
British Transport Police Authority
Sponsor department
Department for Transport
Location
Various
Sectors
Transport
Skills
Audit and Risk, Business
Number of vacancies
7
Time commitment
30 day(s) per annum
Remuneration
£15000 to £25000 per annum
Length of term
Four years
Application deadline
10pm on 26 March 2023

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Timeline for this appointment

  1. Opening date

    27 February 2023

  2. Application deadline

    10pm on 26 March 2023

  3. Sifting date

    21 April 2023

  4. Interviews expected to end on

    22 June 2023

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the role

Introduction

The roles for which we are recruiting

The Secretary of State for Transport wishes to appoint a Deputy Chair, Scottish Member, Welsh Member and up to four further Members of the British Transport Police Authority. This includes the appointment of the following specific roles:

·         A Deputy Chair.

·         A Member who has knowledge of the interests of persons in Scotland appointed in consultation with Scottish Ministers – this individual will chair the Scottish Railways Policing Committee, which is a sub-committee of the BTPA.

·         A Member who has knowledge of the interests of persons in Wales appointed in consultation with Welsh Ministers.

·         Up to four further Members who have knowledge and experience of any of the following:

1.    The companies who operate the trains and tracks;

2.    The staff who work for those operators;

3.    The passengers who travel on the railway; or

4.    Policing.

We encourage applications from candidates who can offer broader experience with suitable skills including but not limited to:

·         knowledge and experience of

-       financial issues

-       pensions;

-       risk management;

-       technology/digital;

-       business cases.

Please read the attached candidate pack for more information. 
A Webinar will be held on Monday 13th March at 2-3pm to explain more about the roles and the specific qualities being sought. Sign up for the webinar here https://btpauthority.baevents.co.uk/member-recruitment-webinar/

Introduction from the Secretary of State

Welcome Note from Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport 

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Member of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) which is an arm’s-length body of the Department for Transport.

This is an important time for the Department for Transport. We are investing heavily in infrastructure and public transport to improve journeys, boost connections, level up the country and support economic growth. Central to our mission is delivering transport that works for everyone in our society.

We are recruiting for a Deputy Chair, a new Scotland Member, a new Wales Member and up to four other Members who either have knowledge and experience of those providing railway services, working on the railways, and/or the interests of persons travelling by rail.

BTPA is responsible for ensuring an efficient and effective police force for rail operators, their staff and passengers. Its duties and functions are similar to those of the Scottish Police Authority or a police and crime commissioner in England and Wales, but it oversees a force that is responsible for policing a much wider area – the railways of Great Britain. The BTPA’s role is therefore vital to everyone who uses or works on our railways – helping to support the British Transport Police to tackle crime and ensure high levels of passenger confidence, as well as securing value for money from the British Transport Police.

We are looking for motivated team players who can provide strategic guidance in a Board context – and who can constructively support and challenge. The successful candidates will be able to see the big picture whilst recognising the interests of a wide range of stakeholders, and will have strong, broad ranging skills, including those relating to strategy and performance management.

We strongly welcome applications from all backgrounds. As part of the Department’s commitment to diversity, we believe our public appointments should reflect our customers - the travelling public – who come from all walks of life and have different experiences. We very much welcome fresh talent, expertise, and perspectives, to help us better understand the needs of the communities we serve and support better decision making for all. This includes people who may have never applied for a public appointment – but could bring new ideas, insights and energy.

If you are interested in the role and work of BTPA, full details of the responsibilities are set out in this document and I would like to encourage you to apply.

Our dedicated DfT Public Appointments Team would be happy to talk through the process and answer your questions.

The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP

Secretary of State for Transport

Introduction from the Chair

Welcome Note from Ron Barclay-Smith, Chair of BTPA

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Member of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). This is an exciting opportunity to join the independent oversight board of the national police service which keeps Britain’s rail network safe and secure. As the specialist and dedicated police service for Britain’s railways, BTP’s work is wide reaching, providing an important service to all passenger and freight operators, Network Rail, their staff and customers across England, Scotland and Wales, as well as policing the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro Tram System, Croydon Tramlink, Sunderland Metro and Glasgow Subway.

BTPA is principally responsible for charging train operators for the policing of the railway and therefore must ensure value for money for its funders. To achieve this, BTP, supported by BTPA, has embarked on a transformation programme which will deliver new ways of working, exploiting the use of digital technology better to predict where resources need to be deployed, analysing the success of its actions and interventions, and enabling officers to spend more time out on patrol working effectively and productively where it matters most.

The BTPA, as the oversight body of the largest of the three national infrastructure forces, is also well placed to contribute to the national conversation around policing, and to further this aim it works closely with the DfT, Home Office, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and other policing oversight bodies and organisations. The range of BTPA’s stakeholders is, however, much broader than this and Members will also be called upon to engage with funders in the rail industry, passenger groups, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales and more besides. The BTPA’s largest funders are Network Rail and Transport for London who currently form two of the key partners within the rail industry.

It is imperative that BTPA and BTP work collaboratively to deliver efficient and effective policing for the railways in our different roles with trust, openness and transparency at the core of our relationship. At the same time, Members must be prepared to ask the challenging questions and fulfil the role of critical friend, ensuring a balanced and healthy debate to achieve the best outcomes.

We now seek up to seven new Members who can adapt and influence strategic change, have excellent communication skills with political and commercial acumen and high personal integrity. We particularly want to see applications from candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives – reflecting the diversity of the communities the BTP serves and helping to maximise the effectiveness of the Authority. Supporting diversity and a broad range of perspectives around the Authority table is of particular personal importance to me as Chair. 

Finally, this is an opportunity to work with a great group of people in the Force and the Authority, and be a Member of an Authority which has an exceptional team spirit and is clear about the need to scrutinise and support a highly professional police force.

I hope you will be inspired by this exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of national policing, making a real difference to the protection of Great Britain’s critical rail infrastructure and those who work and travel upon it. If you require any further information, I would encourage you to contact Raquel Cortes[1] at the Authority to arrange an informal discussion with me. I will also be hosting a Webinar about the roles in the coming weeks – further information will shortly be provided on the BTPA Website.

Ron Barclay-Smith

BTPA Chair

Role description

About the Role: Deputy Chair

Title:                         Deputy Chair

Reports to:               BTPA Chair

Duration:                  An initial term of up to 4 years, with the possibility of

re-appointment

Remuneration:        £25k per annum for 50 days attendance

The Deputy Chair’s role is the same as that of a Member but with the additional responsibility to deputise for the Chair when necessary, and to assist the Chair in fulfilling their role. The Chair’s core responsibilities include:

·       Providing effective and strategic leadership to the Authority to ensure:

-       the formulation of the Authority’s strategy;

-       that the Authority takes proper account of the guidance provided by the responsible Minister or the Department;

-       the promotion of efficient and effective use of staff and resources;

-       the delivery of high standards of regularity and propriety; and

-       the representation of views of the Authority to the general public.

·       With the support of the Chief Executive, ensuring that all Authority Members, when taking up office, are fully briefed on the terms of their appointment, and their duties, rights and responsibilities.

·       Undertaking an annual appraisal with each Authority Member to coordinate with the board effectiveness evaluation and to be used as a base for the Chair’s report to the Secretary of State on the Members’ reappointment.

·       Addressing the developmental needs of the Authority as a whole with a view to enhancing its effectiveness.

·       The Chief Constable and the Chief Executive are to work closely with the Chair to ensure the role and responsibilities of the Authority are discharged.

See Member role for full responsibilities and essential criteria.

About the Role: Members

Title:                         Member

Reports to:               BTPA Chair

Duration:                  An initial term of up to 4 years, with the possibility of re-appointment

Remuneration:        £15k per annum for 30 days attendance

Members of the BTPA play an active role in working towards ensuring an effective and efficient police service is provided for the railways. Collectively, the BTPA is accountable through the Chair to DfT Ministers for the discharge of the responsibilities set out in the legislation. Members’ primary responsibility will be to the work of the BTPA as a whole rather than as a representative of any area from which they may come.

The “Scottish” Member will chair the Scottish Railways Policing Committee, which is a sub-committee of the BTPA and routinely meets in Glasgow. It would be desirable therefore if Scottish applicants could demonstrate experience in chairing meetings. It will also be necessary to demonstrate an understanding of the Scottish political landscape.

The key responsibilities for all Members are to:

·         Carry out collectively all the statutory and locally-determined requirements of a Member of the BTPA, including participation in formulating policy, decision making and contributing to the work of the BTPA in relation to determining the budget and charges to be made to the rail industry, determining policing priorities, agreeing the annual railways policing plan, best value plan and other issues.

·         Contribute effectively to discussions at the full Authority and its committees.

·         Examine, challenge and support the operational delivery and commercial implications of policy proposals, major projects and programmes, strategic and organisational issues at BTP.

·         Work with BTPA Executive Team to scrutinise BTP’s management information to ensure delivery of the Strategy, Policing Plans and transformation portfolio, acting as a point of support and challenge to its successful implementation, including on areas such as ensuring value for money.

·       Be involved in the work of the BTPA as directed by the Chair, including membership of any committees, panels or working groups which are established by the BTPA or undertaking a lead role in aspects of work if the Chair determines that that is an effective way of conducting the Authority’s business.

·       Take an interest in the regional work of BTP, as agreed by the Chair; in doing so, Members provide strong and effective constructive challenge, as well as support.

·       Comply with all relevant codes of conduct and maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics, and ensure that the BTPA operates within the legislative, policy and resources framework agreed with the Secretary of State. Members are expected to adhere to the spirit of The Seven Principles of Public Life at Appendix A.

·       Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and awareness of issues affecting the policing of the railway network.

·       Participate in consultative arrangements that the BTPA establishes, and actively engage in communication and dialogue with the rail industry, the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, passengers and other stakeholders when required.

·       Effectively represent the views of the BTPA with stakeholders as and when required by the Chair.

·       Promote equality of opportunity in work to eliminate unlawful discrimination, both internally within the BTPA and the BTP and in the provision of policing services.

·       Attend local, regional and national conferences/seminars/briefings if nominated by the BTPA.

·       Participate in inspections and audits of the BTP and BTPA, as appropriate.

·       Assist the Chair in the strategic direction of the BTPA and corporate business plans.

·       Support the Chair in overseeing the BTP as a whole, including holding it to effective account.

Organisation description

About the British Transport Police Authority

The BTPA was established by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (the Act) as the independent oversight body for the British Transport Police (BTP). The Act provides for the Secretary of State for Transport to appoint between eleven and seventeen Members to the BTPA. This includes the Chair (Ron Barclay-Smith) and a Deputy Chair.

The BTPA is a cross-border public authority which means that the Scottish Government must be consulted about appointments to the BTPA.

The BTPA currently comprises 11 Members including Members with specific knowledge of the interests of persons in Scotland, Wales and England. The BTPA’s important responsibilities are to set the strategy, policing plans and budget for BTP; to make senior appointments and to hold the Chief Constable to account. These

roles are critical to ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of an important public service. An overview of the BTPA’s primary duties is provided below.

Setting BTP’s strategy: The BTPA is responsible for setting objectives for the BTP before the beginning of each financial year. The BTPA announces these objectives, as well as its strategic direction and performance review of the BTP through a number of publications:

·       The Strategic Plan sets out the BTPA’s medium-term and long-term strategies for policing the railways. The current strategy published in June 2022 covers the period 2022-27 and will see long-term changes to passenger journeys and ways of working influenced by the pandemic, the first steps in the Government’s ambitious programme of rail reform, an increase in freight traffic, and the delivery of new services. All of these factors will influence the demand for our policing services, how those services are accessed, how we deliver them and the partnerships through which we achieve success.

·       Its annual Policing Plan contains the BTPA’s priorities for the year, the financial resources it expects to be available and how it proposes to allocate those resources.

·       Finally, the Annual Report, published after the end of each financial year and covering the policing of the railways in that year.

BTP’s funding and budget: BTPA determines the budget of the BTP – formally called the BTP Fund. It plays a key role in holding the BTP to account for ensuring that budget is spent efficiently and effectively. In particular, it has an important role in ensuring the delivery of the efficiency programme for the BTP, helping to secure better value for money for both taxpayers and stakeholders.

Stakeholder engagement: This ensures that stakeholders, in particular the rail industry who pay for the policing of the railway, are able effectively to contribute to the development of the Strategic Plan and annual Policing Plan. Effective stakeholder engagement is essential for the BTPA. That engagement involves listening to franchise holders as well as their representative bodies, such as Rail Partners (previously the Rail Delivery Group).

Police Service Agreements: BTPA enters into agreements with train, freight and other operating and infrastructure companies in order to provide a policing service to their railway or railway property. These agreements, referred to as Police Services Agreements (PSAs), also require the companies to make payments for the service. When, for instance, a new rail franchise is awarded by the Department for Transport (or by Scottish or Welsh Ministers), the winning company is usually required to enter into a new PSA with BTPA.

Emergency Agreements: In the event that an emergency financial provision is required, the DfT can provide the Authority with separate grants for specific (ring-fenced) purposes in accordance with the Framework agreement. The Authority will provide evidence that the grant was used for the purposes authorised by DfT. The Authority shall not have uncommitted grant funds in hand, nor carry specific grant funds to another financial year.

Performance monitoring: Members of the BTPA provide oversight and scrutiny of BTP’s performance during the year, helping to ensure it provides an effective serviceto railway users, staff and the railway more generally. A focus for BTPA is on legitimacy providing oversight of those aspects of policing that impact the public’strust in the police service the most including professionalism, use of force, stop and search and detention.

Appointments: The BTPA is responsible for the recruitment to fill senior vacancies in the BTP including the Chief Constable and members of the Force’s Chief Officers’ Group. The BTPA is also the employer of all BTP officers and members of staff.

Regulation of the BTP: As with Home Office forces in England and Wales, for which regulations are issued under sections 50-52 of the Police Act 1996, the BTPA is able to issue regulations for the BTP as described by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

Overseeing broader priorities; including further discussions around the devolution of the BTP’s functions in Scotland, and any implications for the BTP resulting from reform of the railways.

The Executive Team: The BTPA is supported by a small Executive team led by a Chief Executive who is the Accounting Officer for the BTP Fund.

Role of the British Transport Police (BTP) Force: The work BTP does is complex, multi-faceted and vitally important, spanning all areas of policing from community policing through to armed response and counter-terrorism. In fulfilling its statutory purpose to deliver efficient and effective policing for the railways in England, Scotland and Wales, BTP also plays a vitally important role in tackling and minimising the disruption caused by incidents on the railway, addressing violent crime, countering the terrorist threat and protecting Great Britain’s critical railway infrastructure and those who work and travel on it. BTP has a significant role in identifying and helping people in crisis, those who are vulnerable or at risk of exploitation and responding to the unique risks of the railway in this regard. This significant task, which spans 10,000 miles of track and more than 3,000 railway stations and depots, relies on the hard work, dedication and experience of officers and civilian staff, based at Headquarters in London, Glasgow and Birmingham and dispersed across Great Britain.

BTP is unique in many ways, not least in the stakeholder environment within which it operates. Working across three of the four home nations, it is essential that BTP works in close partnership with others in the policing family across Great Britain, to provide a responsive and joined-up service to passengers, rail staff and others who work on or live near the railway. BTP is substantially funded by train companies as well as by Network Rail and Transport for London, and it must operate efficiently, to deliver a high-quality, responsive service across an expanding network at a cost which delivers recognisable value for money for funders.

BTP is committed to working efficiently, in partnership with the BTPA, and has launched an ambitious transformation programme to deliver significant savings by 2027. The transformation programme comprises a number of initiatives to implement new ways of working for intelligence, justice and public protection, recognising that BTP’s people are its greatest asset. Beyond this, BTP is ambitious for the future and, as one of few policing bodies that crosses county boundaries, it is well placed to contribute fully to the national policing agenda.

BTP currently has an overall revenue budget of around £350m, with circa 5000 employees including officers, PCSOs, staff, as well as volunteer special constables.

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

Essential criteria for the Deputy Chair and all Members:

·         Sound strategic judgement with the ability to make difficult decisions and manage complex situations with a high degree of personal integrity.

·         Proven ability to challenge in a constructive fashion, achieving clear outcomes and driving value for money.

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven experience of engaging effectively with different stakeholder groups.

·         Able to demonstrate an understanding of the broader political context in which the BTP operates and current key issues.

Although not an essential requirement for making an application, reflecting the critical importance of ensuring value for money and promoting efficiency, we would also welcome applications from candidates who are able to demonstrate strong financial skills and experience, particularly in a complex organisational setting.

In addition to the essential criteria for all Members above, it is essential that candidates applying for the Scottish Member role demonstrate the following:

·         Knowledge and experience of the interests of people in Scotland in relation to the use of the railway;

·         An understanding of the Scottish political landscape.

In addition to the essential criteria for all Members above, it is essential that candidates applying for the Welsh Member role demonstrate the following:

·         Knowledge and experience of the interests of people in Wales in relation to the use of the railway.

In addition to the essential criteria for all Members above, candidates applying for one of the (up to four) Member roles must demonstrate at least one of the following:

·         Knowledge and experience of the companies that operate the trains and tracks;

·         knowledge and experience of the staff who work for those operators;

·         knowledge and experience of the passengers who travel on the railway;

·         Knowledge and experience of policing.

Candidates’ suitability for the role will be assessed against the criteria above. When emailing us your application, please specify which of the roles you are applying for in the subject of the email. If you consider that you demonstrate strong financial skills and experience, please do specifically identify this.

Application and selection process

How to apply

How to Apply

If you wish to apply for these positions, please supply the following by midnight on Sunday 26th March 2023. Any applications submitted after the closing date, or that are missing any of the following documents, will not be accepted.

  1. A CV or equivalent biographical information (maximum two sides A4, minimum 12 font) setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications.
  2. A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 12 font) setting out how you meet the essential criteria – make sure you refer to the contents of this document and provide specific examples.
  3. A completed Category/Criteria Form to indicate which one (or more) of the roles you are applying for i.e. the railway operator role, the railway staff role, the Scotland Member role, the Wales Member role, the railway passenger role, the Deputy Chair role or the policing role, and which criteria you meet.
  4. In addition, please also complete and return via email a completed Monitoring and Supporting Evidence Form.

Completed applications should be emailed to DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk. If you wish to submit items 1 and 2 above in an alternative format, or for any other queries about this role, please contact the DfT Public Appointments Team at DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk.

Overview of the application process

Selection Process

This role is being competed in accordance with the Governance Code (January 2017), which sets out the regulatory framework for public appointments processes. The Code is based on three core principles – merit, openness, and fairness.

The selection panel for this appointment competition is:

-       Oliver Mulvey (DfT) - panel Chair;

-       Ron Barclay-Smith (Chair of the BTPA);

-       Jacqui Francis (Independent Panel Member);

-       Don McGillivray (Scottish Government) - for the Scottish Member appointment only.

A Webinar will be held during the advertising window on Monday 13th March to explain more about the roles and the specific qualities being sought. Information about how to access this is available on the BTPA’s website at www.btpa.police.uk. Please keep an eye on the DfT Public Appointments Twitter page (@ApptsDft), and the British Transport Police Twitter page (@BTPAuthority) for updates.

The DfT Public Appointments Team will acknowledge your application and keep you updated on the progress of the competition.

At the short-listing meeting the selection panel will assess each application against the essential criteria and decide who to invite for interview.

Interviews are expected to take place in central London or in Edinburgh for the Scottish post and to last between 45 and 60 minutes. Further details about the format will be provided to you in advance. In person interviews are encouraged but if you require a virtual interview please advise the Public Appointments Team.

The decision to appoint to these roles rests with the Secretary of State (in consultation with Scottish Ministers), and the Prime Minister. Appointable candidates may be invited to meet with the Secretary of State, or another Department for Transport Minister, before they make a final decision.

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 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)

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 decide 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 attached candidate pack for this role.

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)

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to have or be willing to obtain Management Vetting. This includes pre-appointment checks on immigration and criminal convictions. It usually takes between 2-4 weeks to obtain police vetting. The role will be offered on a conditional basis until the successful candidate has passed all checks.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We believe that in a diverse and inclusive workplace, where everyone is valued, colleagues are more motivated, higher performing and more committed to the team. The BTPA and DfT welcome all applicants, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, social background, religious beliefs, ethnicity, or age.

As part of the application process we ask candidates to complete equal opportunities monitoring information in the separate monitoring and supporting evidence form. This will help us to monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. 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.

This part of the form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application.

Disability confident

The Department for Transport values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all and to the appointment of disabled people. We will select the disabled candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the role. ‘Best meet’ is defined as demonstrating strong examples of all essential criteria.

In order to guarantee an interview to all disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy all the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, we need candidates to declare a disability and that they wish to be considered under the Scheme.

What do we mean by a disability?

To be eligible for consideration under the Scheme, you must be considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010. This means that you must have or have had in the last 12 months, a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This includes those whose disability has lasted, or is likely to last, for 12 months, or if the disability or condition is likely to progress or recur.

You do not have to be registered as a disabled person to apply 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. These are:
  1. Selflessness - Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
  2. Integrity - Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
  3. Objectivity - Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
  4. Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
  5. Openness - Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
  6. Honesty - Holders of public office should be truthful.
  7. Leadership - Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

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

The purpose of these provisions is to avoid any danger of Board members being influenced, or appearing to be influenced, by their private interests in the exercise of their public duties.

Public appointments require the highest standards of propriety, involving impartiality, integrity, and objectivity, in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the oversight and management of all related activities. This means that any private, voluntary, charitable, or political interest which might be material and relevant to the work of the body concerned should be declared. It is important, therefore, that you consider your circumstances when applying for a public appointment and identify any potential conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived.

There is a requirement to declare any actual or potential conflict of interest you may have in being appointed to the Board in the separate monitoring and supporting evidence form. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest will be fully explored by the Panel at interview stage.

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 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

  • Your appointment as a Member of BTPA will be made by the Secretary of State.
  • The appointment will be for an initial term of up to 4 years, with the option of re-appointment for up to a further 4 years by mutual agreement.
  • It should be noted that this post is a public appointment; BTPA Members are neither employees of the Crown nor the Department for Transport. Such appointments are not normally subject to the provisions of employment law.
  • Appointments may be ended prior to the conclusion of the period of appointment.

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.
Members can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred at rates set centrally by the Department for Transport and included in the BTPA Expenses Policy.

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

The DfT Public Appointments Team 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.

If you are not completely satisfied with the way your application is handled at any stage of the competition, please raise any complaint in the first instance with:

Via email: DfT Public Appointments DfTPublicAppointments@dft.gov.uk

Public Appointments Team

Shareholding and Corporate Sponsorship, Department for Transport

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London, SW1P 4DR

We will reply to your complaint within 20 days.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

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

Please see the separate monitoring and supporting evidence form for details of how the Department for Transport handles your personal data.

Contact details

Completed applications should be emailed to DfTPATApplications@dft.gov.uk.

Attachments