Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution - Defra sponsorship
Appointments
Defra has the responsibility for organising the appointment of Commissioners.
There are 14 Commissioners (including the chairperson), who meet for 1.5-2 days each month. Small groups of Commissioners may also meet at other times to take forward particular aspects of studies they are engaged on.
They are appointed for an initial term of three years following an open competition and may serve up to three terms, if they perform satisfactorily. A third and final term can only be served if the sitting Commissioner is judged to be the best candidate, following an open competition for the vacancy.
Procedure
The process of appointing a Commissioner starts when a person/role specification is agreed with the RCEP. An advert is then published in a national newspaper and on the Defra website, inviting applications for the vacancy. Nominations are also sought from organizations that may have individuals with an interest in applying.
After the applications have been received the applicants are sifted and a shortlist of candidates for interview is drawn up by a panel consisting of the RCEP chairperson, a senior civil servant, a representative from the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) and an independent assessor. The panel will then interview the short listed candidates.
The interview panel makes a recommendation, which is passed to Ministers and the Prime Minister for approval. Once this has been received the Queen will invite the successful candidate to join the RCEP.
A press notice will be released by No. 10 Downing Street announcing the appointment of a Commissioner together with a brief biography.
The appointment process
Position advertised |
Applications sifted |
Candidates Interviewed |
Successful candidate appointed Commissioner |
Press notice issued |
Provided a Commissionesr performs well he may be reappointed for a second three year term - without having to go through the full appointment process. Approval for the reappointment will be sought from Ministers and the Prime and granted on the basis of their performance during their last period of appointment. Once this has been received the Queen will write to the Commissioner inviting him to serve a second term. A press notice will be released by No. 10 Downing Street confirming the reappointment of the Commissioner.
The reappointment process
Position advertised |
Applications sifted |
Candidates Interviewed |
Commissioners are not allowed to serve more than three terms, to serve a third term the sitting Commissioner must go through the full appointment process again.
Page last modified: 23 July 2007
Page published: 28 November 2006