Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor R. Wearmouth.

Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Friday, 30 August 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on

30 August 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

The purpose of this report is to confirm and set out to the Staff and Appointments Committee the outcome of a selection process for the Head of Policy and Performance and to seek approval for the appointment of the preferred candidate

Attached to this report is a confidential (part 2) exempt appendix setting out the application of the preferred candidate.

The Committee will recall at its meeting on 25 April 2023, that the above vacancy resulted from the senior management review. 

This report also reminds the Committee of the requirements under the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in relation to the appointment (or dismissal) of all Chief and Deputy Chief Officers. Accordingly, please note that the appointments referred to in this report are subject to no substantial and well-founded objections being notified to the Leader of the Council, in accordance with Part 4.3 of the Constitution (Officer Employment Procedure Rules).

The Chief Executive presented the report which confirmed and set out the outcome of a selection process for the Head of Policy and Performance and sought approval for the appointment of the preferred candidate.

At this point it was RESOLVED 

(a)    That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the remainder of the discussion on this item as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act, and?

(b)    That the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:-?

        ?Agenda Item Paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A

?

                8            1 and 2

                              Information relating to any individual and information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual?

                AND       The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the interest in disclosure because disclosure would adversely affect the Authority’s interests.

?

Members then discussed the candidate’s experience and suitability for the role in more detail.

It was then RESOLVED to re-admit the press and public.

RESOLVEDthat

(1)    the findings of the selection panel that the preferred candidate be appointed to the role of Head of Policy and Performance be approved. Details set out in the attached confidential appendix 1.

(2)    it be agreed that in the event that any objection is received from the Leader and/or Cabinet that the appointment in question be referred back to this Committee for urgent consideration.

(3)    the offer of employment will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks be noted.

(4)    the effective date of commencement of employment will be confirmed following all the necessary pre-employment checks be noted.

(5)    it be agreed that the Head of Policy and Performance receives staff benefits in line with all Council employees and remuneration of £73,511 per annum within pay band 14 (this cost excludes employer’s national insurance and employer’s pension contributions)

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 August 2023, at 9.00 am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Morpeth.

The next meeting will be held on 25 October 2023, at 2 pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Morpeth.