Public appointment: Convener appointment extended on the School Closure Review Panels

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has announced an extension to the appointment of Iain Nisbet as Convener of the School Closure Review Panels.

Convener

Mr Nisbet is an independent education law consultant. He a member of the school attendance council in his local area, and a former non-executive director of Education Scotland. He works as a consultant solicitor with Cairn Legal, providing representation, training and advice on all aspects of education law. He is the divisional editor (education) for W. Green’s Scottish Social Work Legislation service.

Extension

This extension was for 6 months, from 12 January 2023 to 12 July 2023.

This extension was regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This extension was part-time and attracted a remuneration of £226.92 per day for a time commitment of 40 days per annum.

Other ministerial appointments

Mir Nisbet does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. 

Mr Nisbet is a member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Background

School Closure Review Panels are independent statutory bodies which have been created to enhance and strengthen the process of local authority school closures in Scotland.

Scottish local authorities proposing to close a school within their area must do so in line with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) and it is for the Scottish Ministers to decide whether the authority has met these statutory requirements.  The 2010 Act contains the power for Ministers to “call in” a local authority school closure decision, if there is evidence that the requirements may not have been met.

On 30 March 2015 the School Closure Review Panels took over the responsibility from the Scottish Ministers of reviewing and determining certain local authority school closure decisions.  If the Scottish Ministers decide to call in such a local authority decision, they then refer the decision to the Convener of the Panels.  The Convener will appoint a Panel of three Panel Members to review and determine the closure decision.  The Panel must satisfying itself that, in taking the decision, the local authority has fulfilled its statutory responsibilities and that no material considerations relevant to the decision have been missed.

School Closure Review Panels cannot become involved in any school closures unless and until the matter is called in by the Scottish Ministers.