Nominations were sought for Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Resolved:

(1) That Councillor Roger Truelove be elected as Chairman for the 2019/20 municipal year.

(2) That Councillor Mike Baldock be elected as Vice-Chairman for the 2019/20 municipal year.

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 25 July 2018 (Minute Nos. 154 - 157) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 July 2018 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.

The Chairman outlined the content of the report which asked the Sub-Committee to recommend to Council that Mr Nick Vickers be appointed as Chief Financial S151 Officer. Members sought clarification regarding the composition of the interview panel, the constitutional procedure for appointment to this position regarding Cabinet Members having ‘no well-founded objection’, and the term of the contract. Members asked that in future, more Members of different political parties should be invited to take part in the interview process. A Member also expressed concern about the wording in paragraph 4.2.

Members spoke in support of the appointment but asked for the report to be updated to reflect the points made before it was submitted to Council. 

Recommended:

(1) That the Council approve the appointment of Mr Nick Vickers as Chief Financial S151 Officer.