To receive apologies for non-attendance submitted by Panel Members.

Apologies were received from:

·         Councillor Evans OBE, Councillor Lowry substituted

·         Councillor Aspinall, Councillor Dann substituted

Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Darcy declared a private interest as a result of his employment and did not take part in item 11, Recruitment to Head of Legal services.

The Panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record. 

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be bought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of urgent business.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) presented the report and the Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of this report;

2.    Undertake a recruitment process for the post of the role of Director of Resources/S151.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) presented the report and the Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of this report;

2.    Undertake a recruitment process for the role of Head of Legal Services.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Panel agreed to pass a resolution under Section 100(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Panel will be asked to confirm the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2023.

The Panel agreed the confidential minutes of the meeting that took place on 20 October 2023.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) and Annie Walker (HR Culture Partner) presented the report to the Panel.

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of this report;

2.    Undertake a recruitment process for the post of the role of Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills;

3.    Agree the extension of the current interim post holder to end of January 2024.

Following an interview process, the Panel did not appoint a candidate to the position of Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) and the selection process would restart.

(The meeting was adjourned and would reconvene on 9 November 2023 at 1.30pm to hear the final item, Recruitment to Head of Legal services)

(The meeting reconvened on 9 November 2023 at 1.30pm)

(Councillor Darcy did not return to the meeting due to a conflict of interest)

Following an interview process the Panel agreed unanimously to appoint candidate Elizabeth Bryant to the post of Head of Legal services, subject to Cabinet and Full Council approval and the necessary pre-employment checks;

The Panel agreed to delegate the negotiation of salary terms to the Assistant Chief Executive.