Commissioner sought for the Boundary Commission for Scotland
The Scotland Office begins the search for a new member of the Boundary Commission for Scotland today. The appointment will be made by the Secretary of State, following an open competition that is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The Scotland Office begins the search for a new member of the Boundary Commission for Scotland today. The appointment will be made by the Secretary of State, following an open competition that is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The appointment will commence in January 2011, following the departure of Dr Elspeth Graham after 11 successful years in the post.
The Boundary Commission for Scotland is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body that is sponsored and wholly funded by the Scotland Office. It is an independent, non-political body constituted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. The Commission’s duties and powers are detailed in that Act, and in Schedule 1 of the Scotland Act 1998.
The Commission is responsible for reviews of:
- constituencies and regions for the Scottish Parliament; and
- constituencies in Scotland for the Westminster Parliament.
These duties and powers, in relation to reviews of constituencies for the Westminster Parliament, are expected to change following passage of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, currently under consideration by Parliament. The Bill is expected to result in the reduction of the number of Westminster constituencies in Scotland from 59 to 52, and much greater equality of elector numbers between constituencies. As a result, the Commission expects to commence a review early in 2011 which will result in substantial redrawing of Westminster constituency boundaries.
View the advert for the New Commissioner for Scotland
The advert for the vacancy can be viewed here. Further information and an application form can be downloaded from the Public Appointments website. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 15 October 2010.