Have the RCVS erred in law?

RE: Have the RCVS erred in law?

Chris Barker — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:30:28 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29882/have-the-rcvs-erred-in-law/230804#230804"]That does seem perfectly reasonable to me.[/quote]

I would agree. Stephen May was fourth in the election that saw Richard return to Council, and therefore is head of the unsuccessful pool of Candidates that stood in the same election as Richard

RE: Have the RCVS erred in law?

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:41:04 GMT

Meanwhile, RCVS has come back to me with the answer regarding the OP's question.

In the legislation, we took ‘last previous’ to mean the last election after which elected members had since joined Council.

This interpretation was informed by the words ‘has not since become a member’ as none of those voted in from the 2021 election have become RCVS Council members yet (they will at the AGM next month) as they were standing for the 2021-22 Presidential year and the vacancy arose in the 2020-21 presidential year.

So the most recent election for those eligible to join during the 2020-21 presidential year were those who stood for election in 2020.

That does seem perfectly reasonable to me.

RE: Have the RCVS erred in law?

Anthony Todd — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 15:43:56 GMT

Perhaps my reply is misplaced but the practicing vet often gets, or can get, a very raw deal if things go wrong, as we have seen in the past.

I do hope , that of the the six lay councillors, some have enough experience of veterinary practice both in large and small animals to appreciate the practical matters arising in practice as were particularly demonstrated in Mr Chikosi's case.

RE: Have the RCVS erred in law?

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:40:27 GMT

[quote userid="10402" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29882/have-the-rcvs-erred-in-law"]The College website reveals that the vacancy has been filled by Prof Steven May. [/quote]

Perhaps splitting hairs, but ph, actually!

My experience of Prof May is that he has contacted me a couple of times - the first to express support for an article I wrote about online accountability for clinical opinions etc. and the second, again supportively, with regard to the LWP consultation and getting as much feedback as possible.

That's unusual. My email box is not flooded with correspondence from men of his calibre. Indicative, I thought, of someone highly engaged. And a nice bloke too. He'd have my vote (not that I have one!)

[quote userid="10402" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29882/have-the-rcvs-erred-in-law"](a) by the unsuccessful candidate at the last previous ordinary election of such members who at that election received the greatest number of votes and has not since become a member,[/quote]

I would be truly amazed if the College had made a mistake and erred in law. But I can't figure it out myself. Prof May was the first runner up in the 2020 elections. I wonder if it is something about the timing which means the replacement had to be drawn from that pool, rather than the 2021 elections this year.

[quote userid="5904" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/29882/have-the-rcvs-erred-in-law/230771#230771"]What is his experience and history of being, and/or being involved in, the day to day duties of a practicioner who make up the large majority of members?[/quote]

As you know Anthony Todd, there are three university-appointed councillors and 6 lay councillors, so being in practice is not the only criteria for sitting on Council. I think it's a separate issue to the point raised by the OP.

RE: Have the RCVS erred in law?

Anthony Todd — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 17:10:49 GMT

What is his experience and history of being, and/or being involved in, the day to day duties of a practicioner who make up the large majority of members?

Does he know how to transport a badly injured dog to expert care?

How many of the Council Members have had the above experience?