Agenda

Minutes of the meeting of County Council held on Wednesday 21 February 2024, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting;

a.     Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter.

b.     Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain the room.

c.     Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being (and is not DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.

d.     Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting.

e.       Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it.

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to the public in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

To receive questions provided on notice from and to provide answers to Members of the Council in accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Annual Portfolio Report – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services

This is the Annual Report from the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services. The report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Portfolio. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year.

Annual Portfolio Report – Caring for Adults

This is the Annual Report from the Cabinet Member for Caring for Adults. The report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Portfolio. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year

Annual Portfolio Report – Supporting Business and Opportunities

This is the Annual Report from the Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities. The report contains issues that set the context for delivery of the Portfolio. It highlights achievements over the past year and, outlines the areas of focus for the coming year.

Annual Achievements Report 2023-24

To highlight key achievements of the Council in the year 2023-24.

Corporate Peer Review Report

This report summarises the process of the Council’s recent Corporate Peer Review, shares the Report of the Peer Review Team, and proposes further actions including ongoing activities, which respond positively to the Peer Review Team’s recommendations

The purpose of this report is to assure Council that all appropriate steps have been taken such that future decisions will be in full compliance with the law and guidance.  There is no ongoing issue, all steps to remedy the flawed process have been taken and adopted.

Proposed reconfiguration of role of Director of Integrated Commissioning and Performance – Adults, Ageing and Wellbeing

The purpose of this report is to consider the recommendation of the Staff and Appointments Committee held on 22 February 2024 that confirmed staffing budget be utilised to increase the establishment from 0.5 FTE by a further 0.5 FTE to create a 1.0 FTE role.

Appointment of the Preferred Candidate for the Position of Assistant Chief Fire Officer

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001, matters relating to the appointment of an Assistant Chief Fire Officer are reserved to the Full Council. The purpose of this report is to consider the recommendation of the Staff and Appointments Committee held on 22nd February 2024 to appoint Stephen Kennedy to the role of Assistant Chief Fire Officer (published report attached at Appendix A).

The Council is invited to consider passing the following resolution:

(a)      That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the agenda as they involve 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           16

Paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A

Paragraphs 1 and 2 - Information relating to an 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 could adversely affect the Authority’s interests.

Appointment of the Preferred Candidate for the Position of Assistant Chief Fire Officer

To consider a confidential appendix in relation to item 14 on this agenda.