26 March 2007 - New Trustees for the Independent Living Funds
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire announced the appointment of three new Trustees for the Independent Living Funds today. Independent Living Funds enable severely disabled people to live independently in their own homes.
Mrs Margaret McGlade, Mrs Susan Winterburn and Mr Yogi Amin have been appointed as Trustees. Margaret McGlade will take up her appointment on 17 April 2007 initially for a term of office of five years. Mr Yogi Amin and Mrs Susan Winterburn will take up their appointments later this year, again initially for a five year term.
There are currently two Independent Living Funds operating throughout the United Kingdom paying grants to people with high support needs who wish to live independently. The Funds have around 19,500 customers and an annual budget of £262 million. These Funds will shortly be replaced by a new, single Independent Living Fund (2006). The three new Trustees will serve on the board for this new Fund.
The Funds are discretionary Trusts created and funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland) but operating at arm’s length from Government. They are financed by cash limited grants-in-aid and managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The Trustees have discretion about whom they help within the framework of the Trust Deeds. Their budget for the UK for 2006/2007 is £262 million.
There are seven existing Trustees who are currently unpaid but entitled to be re-imbursed for all reasonable and proper expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.
These appointments have been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice.
Notes to editors
- Margaret McGlade is a qualified social worker and has substantial public sector management experience. She was Director of Social Services for Derby City Council, and since February 2006 has been working as a consultant to a range of organisations, including Care Services Improvement Partnership, SCOPE, Welsh Assembly Government and Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Partnership. She also covers as Acting Director for Social Services across the country filling in for short-term vacancies.
- Yogi Amin has a legal background and specialises in public law and human rights. Much of his work involves vulnerable and disabled persons in the health and social care field. He has acted for high profile cases, including Herceptin litigation, represented a disabled adult in a judicial review, and acted for clients against local authorities when assessing care needs. Yogi Amin lectures and has addressed the NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) annual conference. He has acted as legal advisor to the Commission for Health Regulatory Excellence.
- Susan Winterburn is a qualified social worker and has worked in a variety of health and social care organisations for over 30 years. She has experience of working with people with mental health problems and disabled young people, and was directory of family services at the Family Fund Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation. She has personal experience as a carer and experience of negotiating with a range of professionals.
- All appointments under the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice are made on merit, and political activity plays no part in the selection process. All three candidates have declared no political activity and hold no other ministerial public appointments
- The Independent Living Funds' address is PO Box 7525,Nottingham, NG2 4ZT, website: http://www.ilf.org.uk
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk