The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 January 2017 (Minute Nos. 1096 - 1099) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 January 2017 (Minute Nos. 1096 – 1099) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

To decide whether to pass the resolution set out below in respect of the following item:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

Resolved:

(1) That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the press and public be excluded 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 1 – Information relating to any individual.

The Leader introduced the report and summarised the proposals around each of the sections in the report, which Members discussed before making recommendations to Council.  The Leader referred to the number of interim appointments and the need for more permanent arrangements to be put in place.

In respect of the post of Director of Corporate Services, Members referred to the temporary arrangements that had been put in place during the ten months that the post had been vacant, which had worked well, and considered that the position was no longer required.  There was some discussion around officer attendance at Audit Committee meetings (which the Director of Corporate Services used to attend), and it was agreed that this would be explored further with external audit.

Members discussed the process around re-deployment of the post-holder, who was currently the Interim Chief Executive, and spoke very positively about the way in which the post-holder was carrying out his duties as Interim Chief Executive and developing the role.

In respect of the post of Director of Regeneration, Members discussed the interim arrangements that had been in place, which had been working well, and the importance of the post to the ambitions of the Council.  Members referred to the difficulties that had been experienced in recruiting to this position on three separate occasions, and the positive way in which the Interim Director of Regeneration had progressed the regeneration work since being appointed. 

Discussion ensued regarding the appointment process for the Monitoring Officer, and the fact that the Constitution offered conflicting advice regarding this; one section referred to the need for the Appointments Sub-Committee to make a recommendation to Council regarding the appointment of Statutory Officers (Part 3,3.2.1), whilst another section gave delegated authority to the Chief Executive to make such appointments (Part 3,3.4 (no. 2)).  Members considered that the appointment of Statutory Officers should be made by Members and asked for this to be considered by the General Purposes Committee as part of the review of the Constitution.  Other areas to include in the review of the Constitution included clarification of the appointment process for senior positions in the event of the need for interim arrangements, or in a situation where there were only internal candidates; and updating the scheme of delegation.

During the meeting, the Chairman confirmed that the recommendations would be considered by the Council on 13 December 2017, and after that time the Chief Executive would be asked to come forward with proposals for the rest of the management structure of the organisation.

Resolved:

(1) That the post of Director of Corporate Services be deleted from the establishment.

(2) That the current Interim Chief Executive be assimilated into this role on a permanent basis following the deletion of his permanent post; the Chief Executive be confirmed as the Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

(3) That the current Interim Director of Regeneration be offered the post on a permanent basis.

(4) That  it be noted that the Interim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 363.