Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2018, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Recommendation: that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely relating to any individual and information likely to reveal the identity of an individual and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy and

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely relating to any individual and information likely to reveal the identity of an individual and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the County Solicitor, attached.

The Committee considered the Report of the County Solicitor relating to the appointment of the new Senior Coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon.

The Committee recalled their previous discussions that the salary for the post, at that time, was subject to ongoing discussions with the Joint Negotiating Committee for Coroners.

Revised guidance was issued in January 2018 and the Coroner’s Circular no. 62 (to be read jointly with JNC circular no. 61) set out the principles of the agreement reached which had to be followed when setting the levels of pay for Coroners.

The guidance concentrated on the factors that should be taken into account when determining the appointed levels of pay such as prisons and other institutional state detention, mental health units, hospitals and caseload. The guidance proposed a salary range depending on the complexity of the Coronial area. The Committee noted the complexity of the Exeter and Greater Devon area, which was compounded by various factors.

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad SECONDED by Councillor Hannaford and

RESOLVED that in light of the complexity of the coronial area, in accordance with guidance, as outlined in the Report, the salary for the post of Senior Coroner be set at £125,000 per annum, effective from 1 April 2018.

(In accordance with Standing Order 32(4) Councillor Connett asked that his vote against the motion be recorded)