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

There were no declarations of interest.

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

There were no items of Chair’s Urgent Business.

Chris Squire (Service Director for HROD) and David Haley (Director of Children’s Services) presented the report and highlighted the following key points:

a)    The candidate had been drawn forward to the interview process due to the strengths that had been displayed as their time as Head of SEND;

b)    There would be a need to recruit to the interim Head of SEND post should the candidate be successful.

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of the report;

2.    Undertake an interview on 02 March 2026.

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 that 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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Following an interview process, the Panel unanimously agreed to appoint Claire Williamson to the role of interim Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills subject to Cabinet approval and the necessary pre-employment checks. The Panel agreed to delegate the negotiation of pay to the Service Director for HROD in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services.