Agenda, decisions and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Officers to report on the process for attracting suitable candidates for the above post.

The Committee noted that recruitment process for the Deputy Director Children’s Services - Head of Children's Social Care would commence under Part 2 legislation.

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.

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.

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.

To interview shortlisted candidate(s) and, if possible, make a recommendation upon an appropriate appointment to the next meeting of the County Council.

Papers attached include

·         Job description for the Deputy Director Children’s Services - Head of Children's Social Care; and

·         Report on process to date and format of assessments;

·         Candidate(s) CV.

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be now re-admitted to the meeting.

It was then MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Letch and further RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to appoint Rebecca Hopkins to the post of Deputy Director Children’s Services - Head of Children's Social Care on grade L3, commencing at the earliest opportunity on a mutually convenient date, in line with the provisions of the Council’s existing approved Pay Policy Statement.

The Committee interviewed one candidate for the post of Deputy Director Children’s Services - Head of Children's Social Care with a view to making a recommendation upon an appropriate appointment to the County Council on 25 May 2023. The Committee noted that two candidates had previously been through a technical interview process.

The process had been undertaken in line with the terms of reference of the Appointments, Remuneration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee, the Pay Policy Statement and the Chief Officer Employment Procedure Rules (set out at Part 6 of the Constitution).

The interview having been completed and the suitability of the candidate for the post having been fully discussed and all relevant factors having been considered, such as the very high level and breadth of experience and responsibility required for the role and the Committee then being of the view that the press and public need no longer be excluded from the meeting for final determination of its recommendation to the County Council:

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be now re-admitted to the meeting.

It was then MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Letch and further RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to appoint Rebecca Hopkins to the post of Deputy Director Children’s Services - Head of Children's Social Care on grade L3, commencing at the earliest opportunity on a mutually convenient date, in line with the provisions of the Council’s existing approved Pay Policy Statement.