Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments

OCPA Objectives

Activities by Objective

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments has various objectives to meet in their support of the Commissioner which are displayed as followed:

1. to achieve the Commissioner's aims and objectives for securing improvements in the public appointments process.
   • Maintain OCPA's Central List of Independent Assessors, encouraging departments to use each of the assessors at least 4 times per year.
   • Implement the selection and training of all Independent Assessors. Arrange two induction seminars per year.
   • Promote the work of the Office and diversity issues by participating in targeted seminars, conferences and events, at least once a month.
   • Provide private office support to the Commissioner.
   • To take forward the work of the Short-Life Working Group on Disability and the recommendations that were made for Government Departments in the Group's report of January 2004.
   • Provide evidence for select committees and the Committee on Standards in Public Life on OCPA's work and briefing for the Commissioner for her appearance before committees.
   • To review OCPA's role, identifying and defining the key developments since it was established in 1995 following the Nolan recommendations. To compile a comprehensive overview.
   • To issue a Best Practice Guide for Recruitment Consultants and to keep them informed of relevant developments.
   • Work with the Open University, the Learning and Skills Council and the Cabinet Office to develop training/developmental courses for those potential candidates who are close to being able to serve on the boards of public bodies. It is envisaged that this will help to build capacity for future board appointments.
   • Conduct an opinion poll to find out whether the public perception has changed since the last MORI poll in 1999/2000.
2. to take a constructive role in the development of public appointments by the Devolved Administrations.
   • Convene twice yearly meetings with devolved administrations to ensure clarity, consistency and learning
3. to ensure effective monitoring of the public appointments process.
   • Start tender process for 2005-6 audit of government departments.
   • Start and complete the round of audits of government departments for the reporting year 2004-05.
   • Undertake 'Mystery Shopping' Exercise
   • Investigate thoroughly complaints submitted to the Commissioner on the public appointments process. Produce a weekly complaint log, timetabling the handling of complaints; and issue periodically a series of case studies to Departments of complaints.
   • Ensure timely responses (within 10 days) to all departmental requests (over 100 a year) for exemptions to the Code of Practice.
4. to provide timely and high quality support to the OCPA communications strategy.
   • To draft and make arrangements for the publication of the 10th Commissioner's Annual Report.
   • To give a series of complaints 'Roadshows' to Government Departments.
   • Ensure that OCPA website is maintained and updated regularly.
   • To produce bi-annual newsletters for departments and Independent Assessors. (completed)
   • To hold seminars for departmental contacts twice a year and for Independent Assessors at least twice a year.
   • In response to various requests, to draft a "Simple Step Guide to Recruitment" leaflet giving guidance on the principles of how to recruit members of the public to Boards as independent members or trustees of bodies which do not fall within the OCPA remit. (completed)
   • Revise and produce a leaflet on nominating bodies, taking into account the implications for departments and to clarify the policy on nominating bodies. (completed)