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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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“Retirement of Permanent Secretary should be opportunity for an independent Welsh Civil Service”
June 21, 2012 11:09 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has suggested that the retirement of Dame Gilliam Morgan as Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Government is an opportune moment to review the position of the Welsh Government's civil service.
Writing on his blog, Mr. Black said that it was wrong that the 6,000 civil servants who look after Welsh Ministers remain part of the UK Civil Service.
"It makes no sense to me that despite having our own Government and the ability to pass our own laws, those responsible for developing policy, administering our budget and writing legislation are answerable through the Permanent Secretary to a Westminster-based civil service.
"It could be argued that this link is symbolic but that appears to be far from the case. The Permanent Secretary is a member of the Home Civil Service, and therefore takes part in the Permanent Secretaries Management Group of the UK Civil Service and is answerable to the most senior civil servant in the UK, the head of the Civil Service, for her professional conduct. She remains, however, at the direction of the Welsh Ministers.
"I believe that the appointment is made by the UK Civil Service also, though the First Minister will be consulted on this. That should change. The Permanent Secretary of the Welsh Government should be appointed by them and answerable to them."