The Management
of the Compensation Scheme
for Radiation Linked Diseases
|
Introduction
|
| 1. |
This note details the management arrangements that apply to the Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. |
| |
|
Key
Criteria
|
| 2. |
The key features that must be present in the management arrangements for the Compensation Scheme are as follows:
| (a) |
The technical basis of the Scheme must be the same for all participants and must be applied uniformly and consistently. Thus
- a single set of protocols and technical criteria and
- a single Expert Panel
must be used.
|
| (b) |
Future participants in the Scheme must accept the technical basis as it exists when they join. However, this basis is not static but evolving so that the management arrangements must ensure continuing uniformity and consistency amongst all participants and the changing technical basis must be agreed by all participants.
|
| (c) |
Subject to this consistent technical basis, the detailed arrangements for dealing with claims efficiently and effectively may vary from organisation to organisation and must be agreed between management and unions for each participant organisation.
|
| (d) |
Those involved in the management of the Scheme must have experience and/or responsibilities relating to the operation of the Scheme.
|
|
Management Arrangements
|
| 3. |
All participants must establish or join a Compensation Scheme Management Board to monitor the detailed operation of the Scheme in their area and to keep the technical basis of the Scheme under review.
Each Board will appoint a Chairperson. In the case of Boards representing new entrants to the Scheme, the Chairperson will be an independent member (i.e. not currently in the employ of either the employer or the relevant unions). For established Boards the Chairperson will be appointed by consensus of the parties to that Board. Other membership arrangements are for the employers and their unions to determine.
|
| 4. |
The Executive Secretary attends meetings of all Boards and seeks to ensure that they do not deviate from the agreed technical basis of the Scheme. The Compensation Scheme Council will determine appropriate arrangements for the appointment of the Executive Secretary.
|
| 5. |
The Technical Working Party includes representatives of each participating employer and union. Each employer nominates a single representative and the unions are represented through a small number of nominated experts (usually two). Additional representatives may attend with the permission of the Chairman of the TWP, on the proviso that they can make a positive contribution to the issues under consideration. The Chairperson of the TWP will be appointed by the Compensation Scheme Council.
|
| 6. |
Any Board is able to refer a technical issue to the TWP for technical consideration and advice and, via the Executive Secretary, inform other Boards of its action. If on receipt of TWP advice, or for any other reason, the referring Board believes that the technical basis of the Scheme should be modified, changed, extended or interpreted in a new way it must make appropriate proposals to this effect to the Compensation Scheme Council (CSC).
|
| 7. |
The CSC ensures continuing consistency in the application of the technical basis of the Scheme and provides a forum for discussing and agreeing any other matters that affect the Scheme as a whole. It consists of representative members of the individual Boards and is Chaired by the Chairperson of the BNFL/UKAEA Board. CSC is served by the Scheme Executive Secretary. Formal membership is on the basis of:
1 member per employer
1 member for each employer’s union - except where an employer does not have single status representation, in which case 2 members per Scheme employer’s unions
supported by specialist advisors as required.
|
| 8. |
The CSC responds to proposals from Boards (see para 6) and meets as required to do so. In any event it will meet once a year for a general review of the technical basis of the Scheme. Each CSMB will provide an annual progress report to Council. Decisions of the CSC must be agreed by all members and will be binding on all Boards. It may itself seek advice directly from the TWP.
|
| 9. |
A single Expert Panel serves all Boards and cases will be referred to the Panel by the Scheme Executive Secretary as called for in the Scheme Agreements and Schedules. Any general guidance or information on technical policy required by the Panel will be provided by the Council. The constitution and membership of the Panel is managed by a sub-committee of Council, as detailed by the paper Membership and Succession for the Expert Panel (CSC(01)P7 (Rev Feb 2002)). Any future appointments to the Panel will be made in accordance with CSC(01)P7.
|
| 10. |
An outline of the Terms of References of Boards, the Council and the Technical Working Party are shown in Annex A, together with a re statement of those of the Expert Panel.
|
Discussion
|
| 11. |
The Council ensures continuing technical consistency but is not involved in operations or application of the Scheme to claimants. It will meet only when specifically required to do so and its members are drawn from the Boards.
|
| 12. |
All members of the Scheme will be treated equally and all Boards will have equal status.
|
10 November 2005 |
