Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meetings held on 23^rd November and 11^th and 20^th December, 2018 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 23^rd November and 11^th and 20^th December 2018 were signed by the Chairman as correct records.  

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 9 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. 

There were no items of urgent business. 

Report to follow. 

The Chief Executive submitted a report that gave consideration of the extension of the current Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services until 30^th June 2019. 

Members were informed that, at its meeting held on 3^rd April 2018, the Committee had agreed that the Chief Executive, under delegated authority, continued to manage and agree appointments for interim managers to cover Chief Officer level duties through contracts for services, potentially subject to a defined maximum length of appointment of 6 months, with approval required from Personnel Committee for any extension over 6 months. 

It was reported that the Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services, David Brown, had joined the Council in February 2018 and reported directly to the Chief Executive.  He had been appointed to the role of Monitoring Officer by the Council on 28^th February 2018.  On 4^th June 2018, this Committee had agreed to extend the appointment until October 2018.  Members were advised that on 18^th September 2018 the Committee was informed that Mr Brown’s contract had been extended until December 2018. 

Mr Brown had undertaken a number of actions, with work on these set to continue in the coming months.  As Monitoring Officer he was reviewing the Constitution and providing advice and guidance in that role to the Constitutional Review Group of elected members.

It was proposed that Mr Brown continue to carry out such responsibilities until the review was completed and a permanent Monitoring Officer had been appointed and settled into their role. 

It was noted that the recommendation in the report was ‘subject to Cabinet’s approval regarding the funding.’ The HR Project Manager reported that funding had been agreed by both Councillor Whitehead, the portfolio holder, and the Section 151 officer, therefore approval had been granted.

It was moved by Councillor Caroline Jackson and seconded by Councillor Blamire: -

“That Personnel Committee approves the continued engagement of the interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services to 30^th June 2019.” 

The proposition was carried when put to the vote. 

Resolved: -

That Personnel Committee approves the continued engagement of the interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services to 30^th June 2019.