The Secretariat is responsible for day-to-day decision making on all data and information gathering exercises.

Should any disagreements arise from policy teams about a decision taken by the Star Chamber Secretariat on a proposed exercise, the policy team must first discuss the matter with the Secretary to the Star Chamber in order to try and resolve the disputed decision.

If there continues to be a dispute about a decision, either with the policy team or between the internal and external scrutiny groups, it will then be considered in correspondence by the Star Chamber Board listed below, drawing in other Members of the full Star Chamber as appropriate.

Peter Lauener, Director of Local Transformation Group
Malcolm Britton, Divisional Manager, Data Services Group
Richard Bartholomew, Divisional Manager, Analysis & Research Division
Audrey Brown, Divisional Manager, Schools Analysis & Research Division
Meena Kishinani, Barking and Dagenham
Sharon Barker, Leicestershire
Ian Birnbaum, Sutton
Ros Gulson, Headteacher, Walton Girls' High School, Grantham
Gordon Lester, Headteacher, Egremont Primary School, Wallasey

Basis for an appeal

• Any information on data collection exercises for which policy colleagues are seeking exemption or a relaxation to Star Chamber guidance.
• Any cases where policy teams believe that the Star Chamber Secretariat has not acted reasonably in carrying out its functions, including the Secretariat misunderstanding facts, or the wider policy context.

• Appeals against Secretariat decisions must be channelled to the Star Chamber Board through the Secretary to the Star Chamber.
• The policy team should forward a minute of appeal to the Secretary, setting out point by point the reasons for the appeal (no more than two pages maximum).
• The Star Chamber Board will consider the appeal, reviewing the policy team's template, and any further relevant information. The Secretary will copy to the policy team the documents sent to the Board.
• The Board will require 10 working days to respond to any such appeals.
• Decisions taken by the Board will be conveyed to the policy section by the Star Chamber Secretary. Decisions will be binding, both on the policy team and the Secretariat.