Terms of Reference

The Council’s terms of reference outline our objectives, key tasks and working arrangements.

Objectives

The Cancer Control Council (‘the Council’) is established under Section 11 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 to provide an independent, sustainable focus for cancer control.

The Council’s key objective is to lead the sector to successfully implement the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy, of which the key purposes are:

  • reduce the incidence and impact of cancer
  • reduce inequalities with respect to cancer.

The Council will report its advice to the Minister of Health.

Accountability

The Council is established by and accountable to the Minister of Health.

Key Tasks

The Council’s key tasks, in line with the requirements of Section 11 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, are to:

  • monitor and review implementation of the NZCCS
    provide independent strategic advice to the Minister of Health, the Director-General of Health, DHBs and NGOs on matters related to cancer control
  • foster collaboration and co-operation between bodies involved in cancer control
  • foster and support best practice in, and an evidence-based approach to, improvements in the effectiveness of cancer control
  • establish and maintain linkages with overseas cancer control agencies.


The Council may also advise on any other matters that the Minister specifies by notice to the Council.

Working Arrangements

After discussion with the cancer control sector, the Council will agree on an annual work programme with the Minister of Health. A secretariat providing professional and advisory support to the Council will be based in the Ministry of Health.

In developing its advice the Council should:

  • adopt an evidence-based approach
  • where possible, build on existing and previous reports and policy work or models for describing and predicting
  • consult with organisations and individuals as appropriate, including, among others, statutory bodies or policy agencies, health and disability support service providers, education or training organisations, registration bodies, professional organisations and unions, and consumer interest groups
  • engage with Māori communities, providers and consumers, as appropriate to ensure active participation of Māori stakeholders in the planning, decision making, and delivery of services aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in Māori communities
  • commission, co-ordinate or undertake research projects for the development of advice
  • evaluate progress towards implementing the Strategy
  • provide the Minister with advance notice of any media statements or reports to be published
  • publish Council advice at least annually
  • consult with District Health Boards on their ability, within the context of their budget constraints, to implement the Committee’s advice to the Minister, and be explicit about any extra costs in its advice
  • take account of the annual accountability cycle of the District Health Boards and the need for sufficient lead time for the implementation of new policies.

The Council may establish working groups for specific issues if required.

Membership

The Council shall comprise a maximum of 10 members, including the Chair and Deputy Chair. The Minister will appoint all members.

Terms of Council Members

Members of the Council shall be appointed for a term of up to three years. Members shall be eligible to serve a second consecutive term to allow for continuity and full use of increased experience and knowledge. Members shall have staggered retiring dates to ensure a degree of continuity.

Unless a person sooner vacates their office, every appointed member of the Council shall continue in office until their successor comes into office. Any member of the Council may at any time resign as a member by advising the Minister of Health in writing.

Conflicts of Interest

All members must agree to abide by the Ministry of Health’s Conflict of Interest protocol.

Performance Measures

The Council will effectively be meeting its key tasks when it provides relevant and timely advice to the Minister of Health based on research, analysis and consultation with appropriate groups and organisations.

The Council must achieve its agreed work programme.

The Council must stay within its allocated budget.

Reporting Requirements

Any discussion documents or working papers for consultation shall be provided for the Minister’s consideration prior to dissemination.

The Council is required to:

  • report as necessary, but at least once a year to the Minister of Health on the outcome of its key tasks. The report is to include the Council’s rationale for its advice and any relevant evidence and/or documentation
  • report on such other matters as the Minister specifies by notice to the Council, these reports to include the Council’s rationale for its advice and any relevant evidence and/or documentation
  • keep a record of all Council meetings which outline the issues discussed, and include a clear note of any decisions taken or recommendations made
  • provide a brief performance report to the Minister of Health within two months of the end of the financial year, detailing the work undertaken by the Council for the past year, and comparing its performance to its agreed work programme.

Frequency of Meetings

The timing and frequency of meetings will be determined by the tasks the Council is obliged to fulfil. All meetings will be convened by the Chair (or Deputy Chair, as appropriate).

Confidentiality

Queries from, or contacts with the media regarding the proceedings of the Council must be referred to the Chair who will act as spokesperson for the Council. If necessary the Chair can delegate this responsibility.

The provisions of the Official Information Act 1982 also apply without exception to the activities of the Council. The Chair is responsible for ensuring that members of the Council are aware of provisions of the Act and the extent to which written material, such as the minutes of meetings, is potentially discoverable under the Act.