AnnuAl Accounts - Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

a wide range of such services delivered by both HPSS
bodies and the independent sector.
In order to do so, recruitment of professional and
administrative staff will be undertaken together with the
integration of the existing Inspection Units into the new
body.
The necessary administrative arrangements will be made
for accommodating and managing the Authority and
procedures and processes for carrying out the functions
of the Authority will be developed. These measures will
be included in the Authority’s strategic plan for the
period 2005/06 – 2008/09 and stakeholders will be
advised once it has been agreed with the DHSSPS.
9. Authority members
The Chairman was appointed on 1 June 2004 and six
other non-executive members were appointed on 1
January 2005. The Authority members which comprise
the Board are:
Brian Coulter (Chair)
Lillian Jennett
Connor Mulholland
Austin Smith
Richard Adams
Allen McCartney
Colin Reid
The Public Appointments Unit of the DHSSPS has
subsequently recruited a further six members to the
Authority.
A register of interests of Authority members is maintained
which may be accessed by application to the Authority.
10. Statement of Members’ Responsibilities
The Chairman is responsible to the Minister of the DHSSPS.
The Chairman and Members have corporate responsibility
for ensuring that the Authority fulfils the aims and
objectives set by the DHSSPS and approved by the
Minister, and for promoting the efficient, economic and
effective use of staff and other resources by the Authority.
11. Policy in relation to disabled employees
The Authority is taking steps to comply with all relevant
legislation.
12. Consultation with employees
The Authority is setting up a Partnership Forum and will
inform and consult fully with its employees.
13. Auditors
Under Schedule 1, paragraph 12 (4) of The Health and
Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and
Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, the
Comptroller and Auditor General has been appointed as
auditor of the Authority.
The cost of the audit is £7,000.
14. Payment policies
The Authority has sought to observe the principles of the
Better Practice Payment Code. This provides that, unless
otherwise stated in the contract, payment is due within
30 days of the receipt of goods or services, or
presentation of a valid invoice or similar demand,
whichever is the later. A review to measure how promptly
the Authority paid its bills found that 96.4% of bills were
paid within this standard.
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations
2002 provides small businesses with a statutory right to
claim interest on the late payment of commercial debt.
During the year the Authority incurred no interest
payments.
Related party transactions are disclosed at Note 4 to the
accounts.
Chief Executive: 31 August 2006
Chairman: 31 August 2006
RQIA Annual Report & Accounts 2004/2005