Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 29 January 2016 and the Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 December 2015.

Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 29 January 2016 and the Sub-Committee

meeting held on 11 December 2015 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the next item:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst this item has been flagged as exempt, it is for the Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider it in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

The nature of the deliberations relating to the recruitment of a Chief Executive being confidential, the Committee agreed:

“That press and public be excluded from the meeting.”

Resolved:

That press and public be excluded from the meeting.

The Committee adjourned at this point (8.45am) to convene as an informal Recruitment Panel to facilitate interviews.

To formulate a recommendation to Council regarding the appointment of a new Chief Executive.

Following the final stages of the recruitment process, the Panel re-convened at 5.10pm as a formal Committee to agree a recommendation to Council.

Members voted to remove the exclusion resolution. 

The Committee was informed that any job offer would be subject to the usual pre-placement screening. Members agreed, by consensus, that the name of the preferred candidate should not be made public until the Council meeting the following evening 24 March, to allow the candidate time to accept the offer and inform their current employer.

Members agreed that, in the event of the preferred candidate declining the offer, the second preference candidate would be approached and recommended to Council if they accepted the offer.

A vote was taken to determine the preferred candidate. The result is recorded in a minute exempt from publication under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

(1)          That the resolution to exclude press and public be lifted.

(2)          That the name of the preferred candidate be made public at the Council meeting on 24 March, on condition that the candidate accepts the offer, which would be subject to the usual pre-placement screening.

(3)          That, in the event that the first preference candidate declines the offer, the second preference candidate be approached and recommended to Council if they accept the offer, which would be subject to the usual pre-placement screening.

(4)          Resolution (3) is recorded in a minute exempt from publication under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.