This report from the MOD/AWE CSMB to the CSC provides an update on the number of cases being dealt with under the Scheme and the key issues considered by the CSMB during 2005. The MOD/AWE CSMB has been operating for eleven years and has met twice this year.

33 new cases have arisen for consideration this year, which is an increase on the previous two years (22 cases were received in 2004 and 11 both 2003 and 2002). There have now been 318 cases, with a further 30 enquiries which have not resulted in claims being submitted. Many of the claims relating to employment at Rosyth and Devonport are joint cases between the MOD and the respective Dockyard.

237 cases have now been screened and 18 cases have passed the screening criteria. One case has been determined this year, a Chatham case which qualifies for a quarter payment and Quantum is being negotiated for this case. Of these, Of the other 17 cases passing screening, 11 claimants were employed at AWE, 2 at Chatham and 4 were in the Royal Navy; 5 of the 17 determined cases have been nil payments and 12 qualified for compensation; all 12 of these have now been settled, including one case (Royal Navy) settled this year.

The Board has paid particular attention to timescales for case processing this year, particularly when it seemed performance was slipping in the early part of the year. This was rectified over the summer and performance in screening cases has been maintained with 69% of all cases screened since January 2003 issued within the 6 month deadline (which is comparable to other periods since MOD and AWE joined the Scheme.

Following the merging of D SEF Pol (the safety branch previously responsible for conducting the Scheme) and CL(FS) Claims to create D Safety and Claims, the MOD interface with the Scheme continues to operate efficiently and in support of the broad aims of the Scheme.

Following the review of Chatham cases reported last year, a small number of cases were identified for further review; this review has now been completed to the satisfaction of the MOD/AWE CSMB. None of the cases reviewed warranted a change in outcome.

13 October 2005