❓ A parliamentary question raises concerns about the lack of a permanent CEO at the Department of Environment and its impact on morale. The Minister deflects, highlighting positive feedback from unions and departmental achievements, and suggests the question should be directed to another minister.
AnsweredQoN 1339Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the fact that the Department of Environment has not had a permanent chief executive officer since June 2001, following the management-initiated retirement of Dr Bryan Jenkins. (1) Can the minister confirm that, to date, the position of CEO still has not been filled on a permanent basis? (2) Can the minister confirm that, to date, all applicants for the position have either failed to meet the required criteria, withdrawn their applications once they became aware of the recent history of the department, or declined the position once they were offered it? (3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(1) Can the minister confirm that, to date, the position of CEO still has not been filled on a permanent basis? (2) Can the minister confirm that, to date, all applicants for the position have either failed to meet the required criteria, withdrawn their applications once they became aware of the recent history of the department, or declined the position once they were offered it? (3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(2) Can the minister confirm that, to date, all applicants for the position have either failed to meet the required criteria, withdrawn their applications once they became aware of the recent history of the department, or declined the position once they were offered it? (3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(1) Can the minister confirm that, to date, the position of CEO still has not been filled on a permanent basis? (2) Can the minister confirm that, to date, all applicants for the position have either failed to meet the required criteria, withdrawn their applications once they became aware of the recent history of the department, or declined the position once they were offered it? (3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(2) Can the minister confirm that, to date, all applicants for the position have either failed to meet the required criteria, withdrawn their applications once they became aware of the recent history of the department, or declined the position once they were offered it? (3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(3) When does the minister anticipate the CEO position will be filled on a permanent basis? (4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(4) Does the minister acknowledge that the fact that the department has not had a permanent CEO for more than two and a half years is an indication of the low morale and ongoing problems within the department? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
(1)-(4) Perhaps I could start by saying that yesterday I met with representatives of the union that covers the workers in the department, and they expressed to me their satisfaction with the acting CEO, with the new processes we have put in place to address issues such as bullying, and with the survey of the staff that is being undertaken at the moment to make sure that they are being listened to and that conditions for them have improved. They also expressed their satisfaction with the fact that there is now, for the first time, an environmental enforcement unit that has independence within the department and reports directly to the CEO. They were also very pleased with the major changes we have made to the Environmental Protection Act - the greatest modifications to that Act since it was introduced in 1986. In addition, I checked with them that they were very comfortable and happy with the resources and the timetable we have provided and the support we have given for the implementation of the Contaminated Sites Act, which will come into effect in the middle of next year. Therefore, it is nonsense to talk about any sort of morale problem. Morale has improved. Members on the other side are perfectly aware that questions about the CEO need to be directed to the Minister for Public Sector Management.
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