Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the duration of the 2020/21 municipal year. 

The meeting adjourned at 6.10pm and re-convened at 6.20pm to allow all Members to connect to the virtual meeting. 

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. 

It was proposed by Councillor Oliver Robinson and seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:-

“That Councillor Phillip Black be appointed Vice-Chair of the Personnel Committee for the municipal year 2020/21.” 

There being no further nominations, the proposition was declared carried. 

Resolved:

That Councillor Phillip Black be appointed Vice-Chair of the Personnel Committee for the municipal year 2020/21. 

Minutes of meeting held on 12^th March 2020 (previously circulated). 

It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th March 2020 be agreed as a correct record. 

It was noted that the minutes would be signed by the Chair when the minute book was available. 

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. 

There were no declarations of interest. 

There were no items of urgent business. 

Report of the Head of HR (report published on 27^th May 2020). 

The Chair advised the Committee that this item had been withdrawn in order for consultation to be undertaken with the trade unions. 

Report of the Monitoring Officer. 

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report that advised of a decision taken by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Personnel Committee. 

The urgent decision had been taken on 6^th May 2020, which was now being reported to the Committee at the earliest opportunity, as required by the Council’s Constitution. 

Resolved:

That the urgent business decision in respect of the following be noted:

That the Interim Director of Corporate Services, Mr Dan Bates, be given the delegated powers of the permanent post of Director of Corporate Services, as set out in the Council’s Constitution, until such time as a permanent appointment is made and the appointee commences work for the Council.  

The decision was taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of Personnel Committee. This is in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the Council’s Constitution. 

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

“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 items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members are reminded that, whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for the Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider these in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraphs 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. 

It was moved by Councillor Phillip Black, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson 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 items of business on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

Report of the Head of HR (report published on 27^th May 2020). 

The meeting adjourned at 6.30pm and re-convened at 6.35pm to allow all Members to connect to the exempt part of the virtual meeting. 

The Head of HR submitted a report that enabled the Committee to consider and ratify the terms of a Redundancy Agreement. 

It was proposed by Councillor Oliver Robinson and seconded by Councillor Phillip Black:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.” 

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted in favour of the proposition. 

Resolved:

The details of the decision are recorded in a minute exempt from publication under Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. 

Report of the Chair of the Personnel Committee (report published on 29^th May 2020). 

The Chair of the Committee provided an update report on the arrangements for the recruitment of the Corporate Services Director. The report sought endorsement of the proposed arrangements and approval of the appointment of a recruitment advisor. 

It was proposed by Councillor Oliver Robinson and seconded by Councillor Cary Matthews:-

“(1)  That the proposed arrangements for the recruitment of the Corporate Services Director, as set out in paragraph 2 of the report, be approved.

(2)        That the revised job description for the role, as appended to the report, be approved. 

(3)        That Penna be selected as the recruitment advisor to assist and advise in relation to the recruitment process.” 

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted in favour of the proposition. 

Resolved:

(1)        That the proposed arrangements for the recruitment of the Corporate Services Director, as set out in paragraph 2 of the report, be approved.

(2)        That the revised job description for the role, as appended to the report, be approved. 

(3)        That Penna be selected as the recruitment advisor to assist and advise in relation to the recruitment process.