Issues of relevance

Topics for discussion

• Role of the lay member

• Fees

• Appraisals

• Website

• Health and safety

• Re-appointments

• Western Heritable appeal

The role of the lay member!

• Term “lay member”used for a long time

• Not now much used in legislation

• Still used colloquially

• Should it be dropped?

Tribunals in the 21st century

• Sir Andrew Leggatt: Tribunals for Users 2001

• DCA White Paper: Transforming Public Services: Complaints, Redress and Tribunals

Changing legislation

• Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill published in draft on 25th July 2006

• Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 received Royal Assent on 19th July 2007

• Part 1 requires the government to implement tribunal reform

What next?

• Consultation paper

• Closing date for comments – 22nd February 2008

• “lay member” term misleading – would term “member” suffice?

From “lay member” to…?

• Housing panel member was the name chosen by the “lay members” at their session.

• How do other members feel about that choice?

FeesFee Type Chairman Surveyor Laymember

Full day fee £304.00 £244.00 £157.00

Half day fee £152.00 £122.00 £78.50

Pre-hearing fee £76.00 £61.00 £39.25

Decision/Statement Fee (half) £152.00    

Decision/Statement Fee (full) £304.00    

Post-Hearing Fee £76.00 £61.00 £39.25

Re-inspection fee   £122.00  

Cancellation Fee £152.00 £122.00 £78.50

Pre-Hearing Fee - to cover any interlocutary and preliminary work including liaising with prhp staff

Decision/Statement Fees - covers decision, Statement and registering of order, fee dependant on length of Statement/complexity of case

Post-Hearing Fee - Interlocutary work including revocation order, completion certificate and registering order

Re-inspection Fee - To cover the surveyor's reinspection of the property. This may be a half or full day as appropriate by inspection time/complexity

Reconvened Committees will get a half or full day as appropriate.

Cancellation Fee - This fee is payable if the Committee is cancelled within 48 hours of the arranged date.

Appraisals

• A supportive process

• Opportunity to discuss issues

• Confidential

Appraisal process

• Once every 3 years

• Chairmen must be observed at a hearing; other members will usually be observed at a hearing

• Appraiser adopts “fly on the wall” approach

Website

• Is it fit for purpose?

• What else would you like to be there?

• What don’t you like?

Goodbye!