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 drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure, as set out on the agenda.

To approve the Minutes of the Appointments Committee Meeting held on 27 April 2010 (Minute Nos. 908 - 912) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Appointments Committee Meeting held on 27 April 2010 (Minute Nos. 908 – 912) 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 Director of Corporate Services as 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.

Report uploaded 4 January 2017

The Chairman reminded Members that the purpose of the meeting was to make recommendations to Council, on the proposals for interim management arrangements for the appointment of an interim Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

The Chairman proposed the recommendations within the report, which were seconded by Councillor David Simmons.

Members asked questions regarding: the press release that had been issued; whether the report should have been confidential; whether there had been any discussions about what was wanted from an interim or permanent Chief Executive; and why the interim term suggested was until September 2018?

The Chairman advised that progression of work required continuity and they did not want any substantive change of course, and a lot of resource would be taken up in the recruitment of a Chief Executive.  In addition, the face of local government was changing and so an appointment until September 2018 would give time for the ‘dust to settle’ and for consideration to be given to the role of Chief Executive.  The Chief Executive advised that salaries over £50k were in the public domain and that the press release was to coincide with the report being published and did not suggest that a decision had been made.  The term of the appointment was to reflect uncertainty ahead in terms of devolution and funding challenges for local government.

Further questions were asked regarding why the Appointments Sub-Committee had not met since 2010, when a Director of Regeneration had been appointed since then; whether the individual proposed was qualified for the job; whether there would be any reviews during the appointment; whether the grade of the Chief Executive post should be reviewed as it was one of the highest in the County and there was potential to make greater savings; whether it was necessary for the Returning Officer to have experience at an election count; and referring to paragraph 4.2, whether there was confidence that there would be a recognised leader?

The Chairman and Chief Executive responded by saying that the Panel for the appointment of the Director of Regeneration had effectively been the Appointments Sub-Committee, which had made a recommendation direct to Council.  The Chairman referred to the longstanding service of the Director of Corporate Services, who currently stood in for the Chief Executive as necessary, and said he had no doubt that the individual could do the job.  In respect of savings, the Chairman advised that there would be consequential changes as a result of the proposal and so further savings would be made which were not currently reflected in the report.

The Chief Executive expected that there would be reviews built-in as was standard, and anticipated regular meetings with the Leader, but clarified that there would not be a probationary period.  He acknowledged the need for an independent pay review of the post but this should be done independently of the proposal being considered by the Sub-Committee.  In respect of the Returning Officer appointment, he clarified that the Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1099.