Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Acknowledged
CCRC leadership failed to adequately lobby MoJ to address commissioner recruitment delays.
Conclusion
Operating without a full quota of commissioners and delays to their recruitment are serious and urgent issues for the CCRC. However, Karen Kneller’s evidence did not appear to reflect this, demonstrated by her response that recruitment is not up to the Commission. While the Ministry of Justice is ultimately responsible, it is up to the Commission to lobby, exert pressure and push for the process to be speeded up. Given the importance of commissioners to the organisation, the leadership could have been lobbying the Ministry of Justice much harder to resolve the fee issue and speed up recruitment—far more than just “regular contact” is required. (Conclusion, Paragraph 76)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about commissioner recruitment time and fee levels, explaining the complex public appointment process and expressing hope to finalise appointments quickly.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The report concludes that the amount of time taken to recruit Commissioners, and agree fee levels, is concerning. As noted in paragraph 18, the public appointment process to recruit Commissioners requires consultation at several stages. Similarly, setting fee levels is something that must be done in full collaboration with the CCRC and its Chair, and based on a clear and evidenced value for money case. However, we appreciate the impact carrying Commissioner vacancies has on the efficiency of the CCRC and we hope to finalise the appointments of the next cohort of Commissioners as quickly as possible.