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

There were no apologies.

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 23 November 2022.

The minutes from the meeting held on 23 November 2022 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.

Kim Brown (Service Director for HROD) presented the report to Members of the Panel and highlighted the following:

In November 2022, Panel were presented with a report on the Interim Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills (EPS). There were no candidates presented to the Panel at that time due to the ‘interim’ market volatility.

The Panel agreed to search for a permanent Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills via an Executive search agency. Agencies advised it was not the appropriate time to go to the market for the role of Service Director for Education Participation and Skills and as a result of the advice, Panel were being presented with two candidates for the role of Interim Service Director for EPS to ensure that there was capacity within the service.

The recruitment to the Permanent Service Director for EPS would commence in the New Year.

The Panel agreed to undertake a recruitment process for the post of Interim Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills.

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 23 November 2022.

The Committee agreed the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2022.

The Service Director for HROD presented the item to the Panel and advised that two candidates had been selected for interview following interviews and assessments conducted by a panel which was led by Sharon Muldoon (Director of Children’s Services).

Following interviews with the candidates, the Panel agreed to the appointment of Annie Gammon to the Interim post of Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills subject to Cabinet agreement and the necessary pre-employment checks. The interim post was agreed for 3-6 months and in the event that an extension was required, this would come back to the Chief Officers Appointment Panel for consideration.