Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation.

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A decision made (26/02/2009) regarding: Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation.

Decision Reference: MD-C-2009-0019
Decision Summary Title :	L:\International\Chief Minister decisions\Acting DCA appointment 2009.02.26.doc		Date of Decision Summary:	23 February 2009
Decision Summary Author:	International Relations		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation		Date of Written Report:	23 February 2009
Written Report Author:	International Relations		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation
Decision(s): The Chief Minister decided, in pursuance of the Civil Aviation (Jersey) Law 2008, to appoint Mr Thomas Fergus Woods as Acting Director of Civil Aviation, after taking the oath of office before the Royal Court, from 6 March 2009 until 31 August 2009.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Civil Aviation (Jersey) Law 2008 came into force on 1 January 2009. The current Director of Civil Aviation is due to leave the civil service on 3 March 2009. In the event of a vacancy, the Chief Minister may appoint a person in an acting capacity to carry out the functions of the office of Director of Civil Aviation. The Director of Civil Aviation for Guernsey, Mr Thomas Fergus Woods, has relevant experience and expertise in the regulation of civil aviation and is eligible to be appointed to carry out the functions for Jersey. The Guernsey Board of Commerce and Employment, and the Guernsey External Relations Group, have confirmed their support in principle for a shared DCA appointment with Jersey.
Resource Implications: The appointment of an Acting DCA shared with Guernsey will give rise to revenue and manpower savings for the States of Jersey.
Action required: International Relations to inform the States Greffe of the decision and to proceed with arrangements for appointment of Mr Woods as Acting DCA.
Signature:		Position: Chief Minister
Date Signed: 26th February 2009		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation.

REPORT

Appointment of Acting Director of Civil Aviation

Background

The Civil Aviation (Jersey) Law 2008 establishes an office of Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) which is responsible to the Chief Minister for, amongst other matters, the following functions:

Ensuring the safety of the Jersey aerodrome and air traffic
Licensing the aerodrome
Approving air traffic controllers
Regulating the Channel Islands Control Zone
Regulation of meteorological services for the purpose of air navigation
Tendering advice to the Chief Minister on related matters, including international agreements relating to civil aviation
Ensuring best compliance with international aviation conventions applicable to Jersey.

Having overseen the transition to the new regulatory regime, including introduction of the new Civil Aviation (Jersey) Law and other legislation, and completed the work leading up to the important ICAO audit in February, the current DCA, Mr Jeremy Snowdon, is leaving the civil service. The Law provides that, in the event of a vacancy, the Chief Minister may appoint a person in an acting capacity to carry out the functions of the office of DCA.

Appointment of Guernsey DCA

Following consultation with the Guernsey authorities, an agreement in principle has been made for the two Bailiwicks to collaborate in this matter. This proposal has the merits of ensuring consistency in the regulation of civil aviation in both Bailiwicks and the Channel Islands air traffic control zone. It will also achieve savings in revenue and manpower through a part-time appointment, since there is now considered to be less work involved in carrying out these functions.

It is proposed that the DCA for Guernsey, Mr Thomas Fergus Woods, might be appointed as Acting DCA for Jersey also. Mr Woods has adequate and relevant experience in the regulation of civil aviation and is a fit and proper person to carry out the functions of the office of Director of Civil Aviation.

The appointment will initially be for a six-month period, during which time the arrangement will be reviewed to determine whether it is successful and if it should be continued. Mr Woods may take the oath of office of DCA in the Royal Court on Friday 6 March 2009.

It is therefore recommended, in pursuance of the Civil Aviation (Jersey) Law 2008, that Mr Thomas Fergus Woods should be appointed as Acting Director of Civil Aviation with effect from 6 March 2009 until 31 August 2009.