In the absence of the Chair, the panel will be asked to appoint a Vice-Chair for the meeting.

Agreed that Councillor Lowry is appointed Chair for this meeting of the panel. 

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

There were no declarations of interest made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in relation to items under consideration at this meeting.

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

There were no urgent items of chair’s urgent business.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(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 it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Agreed that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local government Act, 1972, the press and public be exclude from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The panel will receive an update on the senior management review.

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a report on actions taken to progress the senior management restructure to date following the decision taken by the City Council on 16 September 2013 and options about the next steps to be taken.

The panel agreed unanimously that based on legal advice received both internally and externally, Members were content to proceed with the meeting.

Simon Rice Birchall (external adviser, Eversheds) addressed the panel and gave legally privileged advice and the officers reported further.

The panel also received a copy of a letter which was dated 30 June 2014 and received shortly before the panel meeting.  The meeting paused to enable Members to read it. The initial letter from Simon Rice Birchall was also read to the panel. 

As future background information, officers were requested to ascertain the information indicated.

The panel considered -

and for the reasons stated in the report, agreed the recommendations as set out in the written report. 

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