Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors A. Dale, S. Dickinson, E. Simpson and J. Watson.

Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Friday, 28 July 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

28 July 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to agree an appraisal process for Executive Directors of the Council in line with the guidance laid out within the JNC Chief Officer Handbook (Appendix 2).

The report offers a defined process for appraisal (Appendix 1) for the Committee to consider and agree.

Sarah Farrell presented the report which sought approval to agree an appraisal process for Executive Directors of the Council in line with the guidance laid out within the JNC Chief Officer Handbook (Appendix 2).  The report also outlined a defined process for appraisal (Appendix 1) for the Committee to consider and agree.

RESOLVEDthat

(1)    the appraisal process defined in appendix 1 to the report be agreed.

(2)    the Executive Directors’ appraisals be conducted by their line manager, the Chief Executive.

This report sets out the proposed appointment process for the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) within Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service.  The current postholder has been successful in their application and has been appointed to Chief Fire Officer, therefore, the DCFO post will become vacant from 28 August 2023.

This report aims to set out the proposed process to appoint a permanent replacement.

This report also seeks approval that at the conclusion to the selection process, the preferred candidate will be notified of their conditional appointment, subject to the approval of Staff and Appointments Committee.

This report also reminds the Committee of the requirements under the Officer Employment Procedure Rules in relation to the appointment of all Chief and Deputy Chief Officers. Accordingly, please note that the appointment referred to in this report is 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).

Dr. Helen Paterson, Chief Executive, presented the report which set out the proposed appointment process for the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) within Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service.  The current postholder had been successful in their application and had been appointed to Chief Fire Officer, therefore, the DCFO post will become vacant from 28 August 2023.

The final appointment would be brought back to the Committee for approval.  The advert would refer to NCC pay grade Band 17, SCP 70.  It was hoped that this would make the post attractive to potential applicants whilst maintaining the salary differential between that post and the Chief Fire Officer post.

RESOLVED

(1)    To agree that the Deputy Chief fire Officer will align to the National Joint Council for Brigade Managers of Fire and Rescue Services terms and conditions (Gold Book) with remuneration aligning to NCC pay grade of Band 17, £126,665 SCP 70.  The cost excludes employer’s national insurance and employer’s pension contributions.

(2)    To approve external advertisement of the post following consideration at this meeting of the Staffing and Appointments Committee for the period 25 September 2023 to 23 October 2023.  Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an Assessment Day at the beginning of November 2023 (date TBA).  The assessment will include psychometric testing, staff panel comprising senior manager.

(3)    To accept the findings of the selection panels that the preferred candidate be offered the role of Deputy Chief Fire Officer subject to the final approval of Staff and Appointments Committee.

(4)    To agree that in the event that any objection is received from the Leader and/or urgent consideration.

(5)    To note that offers of employment will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks.

(6)    To note that the effective date of commencement of employment is to be confirmed following completion of all the necessary pre-employment checks.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 20 September 2023, at 10.00 am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Morpeth.

The next meeting will be held on 20 September 2023, at 10.00 am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Morpeth.