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.

The Panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 8 December 2017 and 27 February 2018.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2017 are confirmed as a correct record and that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2018 are confirmed as a correct record, subject to the amendment ‘Head of Community Connections’. 

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.

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 ad defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part I of Scheduled 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

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 involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Panel will consider the recruitment of Service Director Community Connections.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) submitted a report on the appointment of a Service Director Community Connections which also included an update on Organisational Design.

The Panel agreed to appoint a Service Director Community Connections and to undertake a formal recruitment process for this post.

The Panel noted the update on the Organisation Design.

Following the Panel’s agreement to undertake a formal recruitment process, Members interviewed one candidate for the post of Service Director Community Connections.

The Panel agreed that Matt Garrett is appointed to the post of Service Director Community Connections (subject to Cabinet approval).

(Councillors Ricketts and Downie who had responsibility for this area within their portfolios were not present for this item, however the Leader represented them).

The Panel will consider the recruitment of an Interim Assistant Director for Children, Young People and Families.

Alison Botham (Director of Children’s Services) submitted a report on the recruitment of an Interim Service Director of Children, Young People and Families which included the recruitment process for a permanent post holder.

The Panel agreed to appoint an Interim Service Director of Children, Young People and Families and to undertake a formal recruitment process for this interim post.

The Panel noted the progress on the recruitment process for a permanent post holder.

Following the Panel’s agreement to undertake a formal recruitment process, Members interviewed two candidates for the interim post of Service Director of Children, Young People and Families.

The Panel agreed that Neelam Bhardwaja is appointed to the Interim post of Service Director for Children, Young People and Families (subject to pre-employment checks  and Cabinet approval).

The Panel will consider the interim arrangements for the Transformation and Change Directorate.

The Panel noted the current existing and proposed interim management arrangements for the Finance Service, Legal Services, Customer Services and Service Centre as contained within the report.

The Panel agreed that –

(Councillors Darcy and Riley who had responsibility for this area within their portfolios were not present for this item, however the Leader represented them).