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

The Panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 19 September and 26 September 2025.

The minutes of the meetings that took place on 19 September 2025 and 26 September 2025 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 chairs urgent business.

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

Chris Squire (Service Director for Finance) presented the report to the Panel and highlighted the following key points:

a)    The Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) had provided their resignation and would be leaving the organisation in Mid-December 2025;

b)    The Council required a Section 151 Officer by statute and the role was responsible for budget setting;

c)    Recruitment agencies were engaged to find a suitable interim replacement whilst recruitment to the permanent position took place;

d)    Whilst recruitment agencies were engaged, a candidate expressed an interest in the position outside of the engaged process.

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.

The Panel agreed to:

1.    Note the content of the report;

2.    Undertake formal interviews for the role of Interim Service Director for Finance.

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 continue under part 2.

Following an interview process, the Panel unanimously agreed to appoint David Northey as Interim Service Director for Finance. The Panel delegated the responsibility of negotiating pay to the Service Director for HROD, in consultation with Councillor Aspinall.