Agenda and minutes

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 a report of the Chief Executive.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive setting out the terms of reference of the Committee as established by Council and a draft work programme to appoint a new Chief Executive.

The HR and OD Manager presented the draft work plan to the Committee (appendix 1 of the report). The Chief Executive then provided a resume of a person he considered well-qualified, and willing, to act as Advisor to the Committee during the recruitment process, should the Committee choose to appoint an Advisor.

The Chief Executive and HR and OD Manager responded to questions from Members about the work plan. Members then spent some time considering and discussing various elements of the Plan, including the notional budget for recruitment, the timetable and the suggestion to use North West Employers (NWE) as recruitment consultants. It was noted that the culmination of the recruitment process on the draft work plan, during weeks commencing 21 and 28 March, encompassed the Easter weekend 2016.

Members were informed that, whilst the formal application period for the post would not start until after the Christmas period, there was an intention to put out a press release and promote the forthcoming vacancy following the Council meeting on 16 December 2015 when the salary for the post had been decided.

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:

“That the draft work plan be approved.”

The proposition was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Attention then turned to paragraph 3.4 and Appendix 2 of the report, which set out the activities that defined the present role of the Chief Executive and the Job Description and Person Specification for the role which had last been reviewed in March 2000.

The Chief Officer (Governance) responded to questions about the role of the Returning Officer and the remuneration for that role. Councillors were informed that, although it was usual for a Chief Executive to be the Council’s Returning Officer, it was not a legal requirement. Council could appoint any officer of the Council to the role of Returning Officer.

The Chief Executive informed Members that the intention would be to meet again with NWE on 7 or 8 December to review guidance on a new Job Description and Person Specification to define the type of Chief Executive the Council wanted. In anticipation of that meeting, Members raised a number of issues that they saw as priority areas for the Job Description or Person Specification for the new Chief Executive:-

·        Prioritise partnership working, revenue generation and understanding of the Ensuring Council ethos with regard to the importance of keeping services in house wherever possible

·        Service development from a commercial angle

·        Making efficiencies

·        Inward investment

·        Performance management

·        Strategic financial management

·        Inspiring and managing staff

·        Delivering cultural change

·        Fostering links with business

·        Community leadership

·        Shared services

·        Engaging the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, the Combined Authority and a range of partners on skills development for citizens

The HR and OD Manager replied to Members’ questions regarding remuneration for the post and confirmed the intention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.