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 Si Bellamy (Chief Operating Officer) presented the report and highlighted the following key points:

a)    The recruitment process for this role did not use an executive search agency and was done in house which ensured a saving for the council; 

b)    52 candidates went through the shortlisting process which resulted in five candidates for shortlisting. Two candidates dropped out which left three candidates who went through to the assessment centre;

c)    The assessment centre consisted of numerous interviews including by staff, a Senior Leadership Team Panel, Chief Executive discussions as well as a portfolio holder discussion;

d)    One candidate was deemed acceptable for interview by the Chief Officers Appointment Panel following the assessment centre.

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content the report;

2.    Undertake a formal interview for the suitable candidate.

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 and 2 of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

(Please note that there is a confidential minute to this item)

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Appoint Katy Willis to the post of Service Director for Customer Services subject to Cabinet agreement and the necessary pre-employment checks.

2.    Delegate the negotiations of terms and conditions to the Chief Operating Officer.

For: (6) Councillors Blight, Lowry, McLay, Ricketts, Stickland and Taylor.

Against: (0)

Abstentions: (1) Councillor Coker

Absent/did not vote: (0)