The Administrative Councils of the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) and the European Telecommunications Office (ETO) met jointly on 4-5 December in Copenhagen. Top among the subjects debated was approval of the offices' budgets for 2008 and the 2008-2010 financial plan, as well as approval of the logotype that will identify the new European Communications Office (ECO).
Regarding the pension rule proposals, there was heated debate about two options: option 1, implying the payment of marginal taxes when the employee retires; or option 2, comprising a salary complement, thus avoiding payment of that tax amount upon retirement. Preference for the latter prevailed, on the presumption that it would give more room for employees to choose, and was particularly seen as being more favourable for the situation of experts.
As for human resources, the Director presented the three candidates for the position of deputy director - vacant since September - and recommended for the post Adriaan Brinkerink, to which the council members had no objections. On replacement of the broadcasting expert, the director held that it would be better to wait for a clarification about the Offices? future strategy before assessing the real need to replace that expert. The current situation of former collaborators? pensions and complementary retirement was also reviewed; the Council was informed that a reply to the sole pending case, concerning the only worker not granted that supplementary amount, was expected by 31 December. The ''Personnel Standards'' and ''Internal Instructions'' documents were also revised with a view to clarifying the rights and obligations of all employees.
For financial issues, note that the 2008 budget and 2008-2010 financial plan imply maintaining the contribution unit's value, generic cost growth of 3 percent and the reduction of one staff position (from 15 to 14 staff positions). During the period of the plan negative net results are expected for both the ERO and the ETO.
Also noteworthy at this joint meeting were the following:
- The work programme for 2008 was likewise subject to approval;
- Note was taken of the report from the CEPT task force, which at the time had met only once, having identified three possible models - knowledge-based organisation, status quo plus and strong organisation - able to make binding decisions for members on the future of CEPT. The Council members were also informed that two task force sub-working groups had been created, respectively dedicated to strategy and organisational issues;
- Also approved was the report from the ad hoc Audit group, which identified four scenarios for the future of the ERO (no European Authority, European Authority without competence, European Authority including spectrum regulation limited to pan-European services and all-embracing European Authority). The Council mandated the group to go ahead with the second phase of its work, drawing up detailed scenarios only for scenarios 2 and 3, as well as recommendations on hiring and remuneration issues. The group, whose terms of reference were revised, should again report to the next Council in May;
- The current status of ratification of the ECO Convention was reviewed. As four countries are currently completing that process, it is expected that the new Convention should take force and the new Office become operational in the course of 2008;
- Regarding the upcoming CEPT Conference scheduled for 16-17 April 2008 in Stockholm, organised in collaboration with the European Commission, the Council members were informed that it would be held for the first time at a Conference Centre and focus on the theme topic of ''Technology and Regulation'';
- Given that a new presidency and vice-presidency of the Councils should be nominated, the administrations were asked to submit brief curricula vitae for their respective candidacies.
The next ERO/ETO Councils have been scheduled for 14-15 May and 27-28 November 2008. Depending on results of the CEPT Assembly, which meets in June, the holding of an extraordinary Council may be considered, possibly in September.