See Attached Distribution List

Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau Local Government and Communities

Cyfarwyddwr Cyffredinol • Director General

See attached distribution list

2 February 2015

Dear Colleague

CALL FOR HONOURS NOMINATIONS (NEW YEAR 2016)

I am writing to invite nominations for consideration for the New Year 2016 Honours List. That seems a long way off, but the lead in time for Honours awards requires considerable forethought. In responding, please can you bear in mind the need to consider individuals retiring in the latter half of the year as Honours are usually only awarded in the list immediately following retirement: although long and meritorious service are not usually sufficient of themselves, it can feature in citations.

Background

The honours system recognises exceptional contributions of people across the United Kingdom. In Wales as elsewhere, we have many who offer exceptional service and who are a credit to the communities and organisations they serve and to Wales. We should therefore have a strong and diverse pool of candidates from Wales reflecting that. Against that background I would encourage you to consider potential nominees from within your organisation, and amongst those with whom you come into business contact, and make nominations appropriate to all levels of award.

Please take a personal interest identifying and bringing forward nominations, as this is an important way of recognising and raising the profile of public service in Wales. Recent rounds have seen surprisingly few local authority nominations coming forward.

In preparing nominations, please consult widely within and beyond your organisations, using governing bodies and staff networks as appropriate to ensure all aspects of your work and levels of contribution are considered. We are looking for nominations that reflect the diversity of your workforce and professional communities: based on levels of nomination in the past this suggests you should give particular attention to identifying and nominating women where contribution merits consideration.

Protocol

While there are no fixed criteria for honours nominations, we would expect nominees to:  have contributed above and beyond the normal requirements of the role

. be acknowledged as exceptional by their peers and colleagues

Parc Cathays ● Cathays Park Ffôn ● Tel 029 2082 5727 Caerdydd ● Cardiff [email protected] CF10 3NQ Gwefan ● website: www.wales.gov.uk . have made some kind of wider contribution beyond the requirements of their position, including community or volunteering service or a caring role.

. have continued to make an exceptional contribution over and above that previously recognised in cases where they already have an honour.

There is opportunity in considering levels of nominations to distinguish between those who have contributed in communities, organisations locally, across Wales or even helped to raise the profile of Wales internationally.

Nominations should be made whilst the nominee is still active or, towards the end of active Service, if possible, at least 12 months before he/she is expected to retire or stand down. In preparing your nominations, it is reasonable to ask other people for information about the candidate, but is essential that all enquiries are handled in strict confidence and in no circumstances should the nominee be told that they are under consideration for an honour. The need for discretion when making necessary enquiries is particularly important.

Local Action

In your trawl for nominations, please could you ensure that you:

. communicate the nominations process across your organisation or professional community

. work towards a balanced and diverse set of candidates – experience suggests that fewer women and individuals from the minority ethnic groups from Wales are nominated than their proportionate representation in specific sectors or communities would suggest.

. After nomination if something of an adverse nature comes to light please let us know. Changes of address, new appointment, retirement, serious health problems or death should also be notified to us.

Making a nomination

I attach a proforma and guidance notes to support your nominations.

Nominations can be submitted electronically, the guidance notes explain how to do this. If this is not possible we will accept nominations on paper. I would also welcome any suggestions now of potential candidates for future rounds. I look forward to receiving your nominations by 27 February 2014.

Nominations should be returned to:

[email protected] or David Gardiner, Local Government and Communities Operations Team, Welsh Government, Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ. Telephone number: 02920 825432 Yours sincerely

June E Milligan

Distribution List

Chief Fire Officers Local County Voluntary Services Wales Council for Voluntary Action Welsh Local Government Association Chief Executives, County and County Borough Councils in Wales Association of Larger Local Councils One Voice Wales North Wales Association of Town and Larger Community Councils Estyn Domestic Abuse Services Equality Organisations Local Service Board Chairs