Vacancy Control System Consultation

VCS - Detailed Guidance - CONSULTATION EXERCISE

As a result of decisions arising from the Review of Public Administration (RPA) and in order to safeguard the employment of existing local government staff, the Commission, in April/May 2006, sought preliminary advice from its legal representatives in relation to the implications of the introduction of a vacancy control system.

In August 2006, a policy paper was issued to councils and other stakeholders for consultation purposes. Following consideration of the responses, a Detailed Guidance Paper was agreed by the Commission in May 2007 with the implementation date to be agreed when the RPA timetable became clearer.

The Detailed Guidance Paper was reviewed in the light of the Ministerial announcement in March 2008, and agreed by the Commission at its meeting on 9 January 2009. It was agreed to issue the paper to councils for consultation purposes with a closing date for comments of Friday 13 March 2009.

To assist with the consultation, the Commission held a briefing session on Tuesday 24 February 2009 in the Round Tower Council Chamber, Antrim Civic Centre, Antrim, to discuss the paper and answer questions on its content.

The consultation responses were considered by the Commission at its meeting in April 2009. The Update Bulletin below summarises the responses received and outlines the way forward.