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Civil Service Appeals Commission

Published 17th July 2006, 12:0am

Ms Clyte Linwood has been appointed the executive director of the Civil Service Appeals Commission (CSAC). The Appeals Commission, a different type of body from the Public Service Commission, is responsible for hearing and ruling on civil servants' appeals against human resource decisions made by "appointing officers," defined as those who are responsible for hiring staff. The independent appeals commission is expected to be in full operation by 1 January 2007, said the Portfolio of the Civil Service's Chief Officer Peter Gough. "The commission will provide a level of comfort and confidence to all civil servants," he acknowledged. "It will provide a necessary safeguard as we move into a more decentralized and delegated personnel management system. "And I am delighted to have Clyte on board with her knowledge, experience and qualifications," Mr Gough added. "I believe the person in the role of executive director will be crucial in the successful roll-out of personnel reform." In her new role, which commenced 1 July, Ms Linwood will oversee all CSAC activity. "The job calls for someone who knows the system of government at a high level, so having more than 15 years experience as a civil servant, as well as studying law, makes it a welcome challenge for me," said Ms Linwood. Her professional background includes teaching, as well as training and development. The executive director post falls within the Portfolio of the Civil Service. However, in order to safeguard the independence of the CSAC, the postholder will be required to act independently from the civil service. This means that Ms Linwood will report to CSAC's chairman. The CSAC shall consist of a chairman and not less than four or more than six other members, appointed by the governor, acting in his discretion. By law, they cannot be civil servants; members of the Legislative Assembly; or the holder of any office in any political party. To further protect its independent status, CSAC's offices will be located separately from the rest of the portfolio, in Cayman Corporate Centre on Hospital Road. Ms Linwood is now in the process of finalising CSAC's procedures and protocols; defining information that needs to be provided as part of an appeal; and developing the criteria, rules and precedence that CSAC members should use in considering the appeal. In addition, privacy and communication protocols are being established in this set-up phase. As this is a new process, an information booklet is being prepared to be disseminated to all civil servants. CSAC has been established by the Public Service Management Law, which will come into effect on 1 January 2007.