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Forward
The Electrical Workers Registration Board has pleasure in presenting its fifth Annual Report.
The Board has faced a challenging year with new initiatives for audit being developed and released for consultation with industry and the public. A major review of the costs associated with the purchase of services from the Government has been completed and ongoing efficiency gains are planned to reduce the costs of maintaining the current registration and licensing regime.
The Board has also put in place procedures to carry out the review of the Electricity Act as required by the statute and having received and analysed two rounds of submissions from interested parties and organisations, the final report to the Minister is now being prepared.
The submissions received have identified two important areas where change should be made, firstly that the Board be reconstituted as a Body Corporate or Crown Entity to enhance transparency and independence; and secondly, that the Complaints Assessment Committee structure and procedures be revised so that key aspects parallel the processes used in the District Court judicial system.
To ensure that the Board remains in touch with the electrical and electronic industry it continues to hold meetings at venues around the country to allow registered electrical workers and others to attend Board meetings without the inconvenience and expense of travelling to Wellington. Many persons have taken advantage of this opportunity to sit in on the Board's deliberations. The Board has also taken space at organised Trade Shows to undertake informal consultation with a broad based sample of registered electrical workers and their comments and criticisms have been taken back to the Board and acted on wherever possible.
To ensure that registered persons are kept up to date with the activities of the Board and any new initiatives or decisions that may affect them, Board articles and information have been disseminated to all persons on the EWRB register through the Board's contractual arrangement with ElectroLink magazine. There has been considerable positive feedback confirming the success of this medium. The activities of the Board are fully funded through Registration, Practising Licence and Examination fees and income from the sale of Certificates of Compliance. The Board is also required to provide a range of services related to the "Public Good" and although this was funded in the past by an allocation of funds from the Electricity Generation Levy this source was discontinued two years ago. The Board does not believe that Public Good activities should be funded by the Industry and is actively seeking alternative funding.
Two members retired in June this year, Mr Ian Daniell and Mr Stuart Robb. Mr Daniell had been a member of the Board since its inception in 1992 and in addition to his role as Deputy Presiding Member he gave sterling service both on Board work and on the many committees on which he served.
Mr Robb served a single term and his contribution to the Board in the area of Line Mechanic expertise and during his committee involvement was significant.
The replacement Board members are Mr Gordon Forgie and Mr John Howarth. Mr Forgie is employed in the Energy Distribution industry and has previous experience as a Complaints Assessment Committee member while Mr Howarth is a self employed electrical contractor and served as a member of the Electrical Registration Board.
Mr David Daniel was elected to the vacant position of Deputy Presiding Member.
The Board takes this opportunity to record its appreciation to the staff and management of the Ministry of Commerce for the services provided through the memorandum of understanding.
The Board also acknowledges the professional service provided by the Registrar Mr John Sickels and extends its thanks to Mrs Janine Anderson for her work as secretary to the Board.
E A Hanan
Presiding Member
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