Source · Select Committees · Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Acknowledged
Oversight board's independent chair still appointed by the Secretary of State.
Conclusion
The proposed oversight board for the commission has been criticised for a perceived lack of independent membership. The Government’s confirmation that it will be led by an independent, non-executive chair is welcome, although we note that “independent” still entails appointment by the Secretary of State, albeit following advice from the panel of relevant person/s. (Conclusion, Paragraph 72)
Government Response Summary
The government clarified the composition and remit of the Oversight Board, noting it comprises non-executive Commissioners and CEO, and is designed to establish robust governance by scrutinizing the Commission's functions.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Oversight Board comprises the Commissioners (between two and five, appointed by the Secretary of State following consultation as set out in Clause 9 of the Bill) and the Chief Executive Officer appointed by the Commission. Clause 4 of the Bill explicitly obliges the Secretary of State to ensure that at least one of those Commissioners has relevant experience gained outside the United Kingdom. The Oversight Board’s principal remit is to set the Legacy Commission’s strategic priorities, scrutinise the exercise of all its functions, and oversee the work of its officers. Clause 3(5) sets out the specific requirements of the Oversight Board. Crucially, the Commissioners on this Oversight Board are non-executive – meaning they are not generally involved in the operational delivery or day-to-day management of the Commission. This establishes a more robust governance arrangement than the ICRIR’s current non-statutory Board, by ensuring that those responsible for operational delivery are accountable to the Oversight Board but do not sit on it.