§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government: What is the current position with the board of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). HL411]
§ The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)My right honourable friend the Minister for Children, Young People and Families (Margaret Hodge) has today announced in a Written Answer that Baroness Pitkeathley OBE has been appointed as chairman of CAFCASS, with effect from 11 December 2003. In order for her to take the service forward, all but one member of the existing board have agreed to resign. The Government are grateful to them for their willingness to stand down and for their commitment and hard work since CAFCASS was launched.
As an interim measure Baroness Pitkeathley will be assisted by a temporary board comprising:
- Richard Sax
- Baroness Howarth of Breckland OBE
- Professor Jane Tunstill
- Nicholas Stuart CB
We will be placing advertisements shortly for appointment to a new permanent board.
The board member who has declined to resign is being asked to accept the suspension of their board membership, pending further consideration of their position.