SUMMARY OF COUNCIL MEETING ON 10 JUNE 1998
Purpose
Following its re-establishment in March 1998, the Council met to agree its initial programme of work for the coming year and the procedures and practices for conducting its business (in accordance with the Government's requirements for Advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies ).
A Press Notice about the meeting was issued on 12 July.
Attendees
Before the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett, President of the Board of Trade, and Mr John Battle, the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, joined the meeting, it was chaired by Sir Robert May, the Chief Scientific Adviser, acting as the President's deputy.
The independent members present were:
Professor S Kumar Bhattacharyya CBE FEng, Professor Sir Aaron Klug OM FRS, Sir Robin Nicholson FRS FEng, Dame Bridget Ogilvie ScD FIBiol FRCPath, Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland FBA, Sir Richard Sykes DSc FRS, Professor Sir Alec Broers FRS FEng, Professor Keith O'Nions FRS, Miss Emma Rothschild, Professor Julia Higgins CBE FRS, Dr Christopher Evans OBE FBiol, and Mr David Potter CBE.
Discussion and Outcome
The Council first considered how it could best improve its openness and communications within and outside Government. It agreed to:
- issue a press notice after each full meeting of the Council;
- establish a Website containing up to date information about the Council, its work and its advice;
- adopt a distinctive logo; and more generally
- operate in as open and inclusive a manner as possible.
The Council further agreed to keep these aspects of its operations under review to ensure compliance with such overarching requirements as the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information .
The Council next considered its practices and procedures more generally, in accordance with its fresh remit and the Government's overarching framework for Advisory Non-Departmental Public Bodies. Decisions covered:
- the conduct and remuneration of members;
- the conduct of meetings;
- the presentation of advice and follow up; and the
- Council's annual report.
Additionally, the Council adopted criteria for determining its future work programme, namely:
(1) |
Strategic importance: |
Is the issue sufficiently important
to justify the Council's attention? |
(2) |
Timeliness: |
Is this the most appropriate time
to consider this issue? How and when does it fit within the schedule of Government
business? |
(3) |
Relevance: |
Is the issue of relevance to
Government policy making? |
(4) |
Value added: |
What value can the Council add? Is
it the most appropriate body to address this issue? |
(5) |
Coverage: |
Is the issue relevant to the whole
of the UK? |
The Council further agreed to focus these annual programmes on a limited number of major issues each year and to conduct most of its work through sub groups, co-opting additional people and consulting widely as appropriate to prepare reports for the full Council's consideration and approval.
Lastly, the Council decided to concentrate upon three issues as priorities for the year ahead, namely:
- the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review;
- the scientific and technological education of young people; and
- the exploitation of the UK's scientific, engineering and technology base.
The Council agreed to settle its approach to each of these issues more fully at its
next meeting on 14 September, once suitable papers had been prepared.
