Letter: Tsar's reappointment raises concerns

Your article "Knives out for controversial children's tsar" (10 February) and the subsequent approval of Tam Baillie's reappointment by parliament raises a number of questions about both the commissioner and the level of scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.

It seems incredible that the concerns raised in the article were not drawn to parliament's attention with the Official Report indicating that they were merely dismissed by Mike Pringle as from persons "not agreeing with the commissioner's approach".

Not agreeing with the commissioner's approach to the promotion of children's rights is one thing. However, the article makes reference to "little or no management accounting" of a project costing 250,000. This assertion could be easily assessed for accuracy by independent financial auditors - and should be to ensure best value for money is being obtained by the taxpayer.

Natural justice demands that a grievance against a person is not heard by that person and the grievance procedure of the office can also be easily assessed against best practice. To dismiss these concerns so flippantly simply demonstrates an arrogance by the SPCB.

The "independent" evaluation of office-holders by the SPCB is, in fact, very much less than independent. An external assessor is appointed by the SPCB (in this case a former MSP who previously served on it) and he provides a report to the corporate body. That report is wholly based upon a discussion between the assessor and the commissioner following a self-evaluation by the office-holder himself.

Where is the independence in that procedure? Are the views of stakeholders irrelevant? How can the SPCB be properly informed as to make a recommendation to parliament?

And, if the SPCB is not properly informed, then parliament cannot possibly be. It is for parliament and the SPCB to reconsider its processes.

In the meantime, however, Mr Baillie can perhaps refute the allegations made about his office by proactively publishing the management accounting systems adopted for project management, he could demonstrate the robustness of his grievance procedures by publishing them, too ,and he could show that he has the support of his staff by making available the results of the survey.

By not being prepared to address the claims made in the article only leaves doubt in the mind of the reader.

M FERGUSON

Bernard Terrace

Edinburgh