Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chairman for the sub-committee.

Councillor Blamire was appointed Chairman of the sub-committee.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive. (Further papers to follow.)

The HR and OD Manager circulated paper copies of a draft information pack and advertisement, previously sent to Committee members by email.

The Chairman allowed the Committee to take a few minutes to read the documents.

Members discussed the content, layout and design of the information pack, and agreed the following changes:

·        That an alternative picture be sourced for the front of the pack, from a viewpoint which provided a wider view of the district

·        That the format of text used from the Job Description pages onwards (light blue background) be used in the earlier pages (from ‘our vision’) and that background pictures be replaced with the crest watermark

It was noted that the finished pack would have page numbers, that the penultimate page would be headed ‘Main Terms and Conditions’ and that information about the Returning Officer’s remuneration would be added.

The Committee then considered the wording of the advert and agreed it should say:

“Lancaster City Council invites you to apply for the Chief Executive post if you have the ambition and drive to ensure the social, economic and environmental well-being of the district. Our district and the wider region is facing immense change. We aim to maintain our leading role in helping to shape the future for the region and our district for the good of our people. Guiding the path we take is our ethos as an ‘Ensuring Council’.”

It was also agreed that:

·        the phrase ‘Promoting City, Coast and Countryside’ should be in large type in a prominent position at the foot of the advertisement;

·        that the word ‘priorities’ should be larger and the word ‘efficiencies’ should be smaller in the word cloud.

The HR and OD Manager informed the Sub-Committee that, in addition to the Council website, the advertisement would be placed in the Municipal Journal in both the paper copy and its online jobs section.

Resolved:

That, subject to the changes noted above, the draft information pack and advertisement for the Chief Executive post, be approved.