Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2021. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2021 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the following clarification.  The Committee proactively agreed that it still wished the proposed day 1 of interviews by panels of external stakeholders and internal senior managers to take place. Further that the Chief Executive observer attend and report on all interviews on both days. The Chair queried and requested clarification on the owner of the action to agree a draft text for the landing page of the microsite. This was discussed.

On further reflection, the Committee do not wish to dictate to either our external partners or our senior officers the manner and form which would allow them to give us the best advice possible. They should be free to decide for themselves, not just the questions they wish to ask applicants but also the most appropriate format. This may involve some kind of prepared or un-prepared scenario element if they feel this will give them the best understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. 

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

Councillors 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, Councillors 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, Councillors 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. 

No declarations of interest were made. 

There were no items of urgent business. 

It was moved by Councillor Cary Matthews, seconded by Councillor Adrian De La Mare and resolved as follows. 

Resolved:

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 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

Report of the Head of HR. 

The Committee considered an updated version of the Role Profile and Job Description for the position of Chief Executive.  The Committee agreed the Role Profile and Job Description with the following additions/amendments:

Purpose of Role – include Heysham and surrounding rural areas. 

Key Accountabilities, bullet point 7: - at the end include the wording “and these are adhered to”. 

Qualifications – To include the wording “You will have a degree level qualification and It is desirable to have a postgraduate level qualification in a relevant field.”

To have the key accountabilities re-grouped thematically categorised with some headings to summarise and make more readable.  

The Committee then considered Tile Hill’s Process-Update.  The Committee agreed subject to the following amendments:

Staff Panel – To include a diversity champion and also to include Trade Union representation.  Noted that this was being applied in the formation of the Panel. 

Stakeholders list – to include:

            Lancaster University

            Police

            Lancashire County Council

            Lancaster District CVS

            District Chamber

            Lancaster and Morecambe College

            Morecambe Bay CCG

            LFRS

            University of Cumbria

That expressions of interest be requested from the above organisations at this stage.  It was noted that the quality of representation from organisations would be important in the final selection. 

Look to co-opt to the Committee the Leader as an observer.  Noted that there will be a political re-balance of Committee membership following the next meeting of full Council. 

The Committee discussed the merits of appointing a smaller Final Interview Panel and a majority were in favour of this. Options such as including Committee members not on the final panel as observers in other panels were discussed with the full Committee taking information from all assessment processes in a Final Appointments Committee in order to make its recommendation to Council. It was agreed to finalise the composition and precise mechanisms of an Interview Panel at the next meeting of the Committee. 

Advertising – A half page advert was agreed. 

Microsite - Welcome letter to be co-signed, draft circulated to the Leaders of the four largest political groups.  To re-consider outdated information regarding the Storey.  Not to include MTFS until updated.  To look to include Lancaster Brand videos 

Search Campaign details - Teaser advert appears in MJ 16^th December 2021.  Closing date for applications Sunday 6^th February Midnight. 

Final Selection – W/c 7 March 2022.  Provisional date set for 4.30pm, 10 March 2022. 

Resolved:

The details set out above were agreed. 

Report of the Head of HR. 

Note:  Attached report deferred at the last meeting. 

(The Director of Corporate Services declared an interest in this item and left the meeting at this point)

The Committee agreed to re-consider this item at its next meeting.