May 26, 2015
Members Reappointed to the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland
The Minister for Transport and Islands today announced the reappointment of 4 Members of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.
Bob Bensonhas considerable experience in the equality and human rights field and is currently a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s statutory Scotland Committee and as such also co-opted onto its statutory Disability Committee. He is a trustee of the Scottish Community Foundation and Chair of its Grants Committee. He was previously an Executive Director for Community Development with Scope, and Director Scotland, Disability Rights Commission.
Bob is also aboard member of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and receives remuneration of £280 per day for a time commitment of 5 to 10 days per month.
Heather Fisken has worked for many years for equality for disabled people in both professional and voluntary roles. She currently manages the Independent Living in Scotland project which works closely with Disabled People’s Organisations and public bodies, especially the Scottish Government to promote rights to independent living so that disabled people may participate equally in society. She previously worked for the Disability Rights Commission and was a board member of RNID.
Heather does not hold any other Ministerial appointments.
Jane Horsburgh trained as a mobility instructor for blind and partially sighted people, and has worked for Guide Dogs Scotland for over 20 years in a variety of roles. She currently holds the post of Policy Manager, and focuses on accessibility of transport and streets, in addition to the mobility and independent training needs of sight impaired adults, children and young people. Jane is well known to the disability transport and accessibility field having participated in many groups and forums across third sector, government and parliamentary activities.
Jane does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
Jane Steven was a qualified nurse and social worker with a long history of working on both disabled issues and rural community and access issues and on collaborative and community development projects until her retiral. She has been an Individual public member of Network Rail for 3 years and was a member of Passengers’ Views Scotland for 6 years. She is a past member of the management committee of Carers of East Lothian.
Jane does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
Bob Benson and Jane Horsburgh will be reappointed for one year from 1 October 2015 until 30 September 2016. Jane Steven and Heather Fisken will be reappointed for two yearsfrom 1 October 2015 until30September 2017.
Thesereappointmentsare part-time and attract a remuneration of £100 per day for a time commitment of oneday per month.
Thesereappointmentsare regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
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. None of the reappointees have undertaken any political activity in the last five years.
The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) provides advice to Scottish Ministers on the planning and regulating of transport facilities to ensure that they are accessible for those with a disability.
MACS believes in a Scotland where anyone with a mobility problem due to aphysical, mental or sensory impairment can go when and where everyone else can and have the information and opportunity to do so.