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

Apologies were received from:

·         Councillor Evans OBE, Councillor Dann substituted

·         Councillor Laing, Councillor Haydon substituted

·         Councillor Mrs Beer, Councillor Ricketts substituted

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Friday 28 June 2024.

The minutes of the meeting that took place on 28 June 2024 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.

Chris Squire (Service Director for HROD) advised the Panel that the agreed candidate who had been successful on 28 June 2024 to take up the post of Strategic Director for Health, Adults and Communities had declined the offer due to personal circumstances. The Panel were further advised that the candidate did not decline because of another job offer, nor did he decline because the Plymouth role wasn’t suitable.

Further proposals for filling this role would be brought back to the next meeting of the Chief Officer’s Appointments Panel on the 16 August 2024.

(Please note there is a confidential part to this minute)

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) advised the Panel that the current Strategic Director for Place had issued his resignation and would leave on 31 August 2024 to pursue other options available to him. Anthony had provided Plymouth with 14 years of excellent service and the Council were thankful to him. 

The proposal to the Panel would be to recruit to an interim position whilst permanent recruitment took place. The Panel were also being asked to change the name of the position to the Strategic Director for Growth. 

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of this report.

2.    The proposal to change the title of the role of Strategic Director for Place to Strategic Director for Growth.

3.    Undertake an interim recruitment process for the post of Strategic Director for Growth pending a permanent appointment.

4.    Undertake a permanent recruitment process for the post of Strategic Director for Growth.

5.    The procurement of an executive search agency, for the recruitment of both an interim and permanent Strategic Director for Growth.

Votes for: Councillors Aspinall, Blight, Dann, Haydon, Lugger and Stephens (6)

Votes Against: (0)

Abstentions: Councillor Ricketts (1)

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) advised the Panel that there were two candidates selected for interview which would be undertaken in part II of the meeting.

The Panel unanimously agreed to:

1.    Note the content of this report.

2.    Undertake formal interviews for the role of Chief Operating Officer

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 Friday 28 June 2024.

The confidential minutes of the meeting that took place on 28 June 2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

(This item was considered in Part II of the meeting)

(Please note there is a confidential part to this minute)

Following an interview process the Panel agreed to appoint candidate Gary Walbridge to the position of Chief Operating Officer with a salary within Chief Officer Band 2, subject to Cabinet agreement and the necessary pre-employment checks.