Agenda, decisions and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2022 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2022 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.

RESOLVED

(a) that the Committee agree to the commencement of process for the appointment of an interim Chief Executive to be in post until such time that a permanent appointment can be made;

(b) that an Appointments, Remuneration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee be convened to appoint and recommend the interim Chief Executive to the Council and furthermore determine the job description, salary and terms and conditions for a new permanent Chief Executive;

(c) that a Report on the process and timeline for the permanent appointment be circulated to Members of the Committee and delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council to agree the practical matters such as the selection of agency and advertising requirements; noting that the proposed advert and supporting microsite will be shared with Members of the Committee; and

(d) that an Appointments, Remuneration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee be arranged to recommend a candidate for the position of permanent Chief Executive to the Council.

(An item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972).

The Chair had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency, in order that it could consider the implications of the recent announcement (since the publication of the agenda) that the Chief Executive planned to retire with effect from 31 August.

The Committee placed on record its thanks to Dr Norrey for his commitment and service to the people of Devon over the last seventeen years.

The Committee also noted that further work was required to benchmark and assess the salary, terms and conditions for the Chief Executive role in order to attract the highest calibre of candidate for the organisation in a highly competitive recruitment context.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Whitton, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Committee agree to the commencement of process for the appointment of an interim Chief Executive to be in post until such time that a permanent appointment can be made;

(b) that an Appointments, Remuneration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee be convened to appoint and recommend the interim Chief Executive to the Council and furthermore determine the job description, salary and terms and conditions for a new permanent Chief Executive;

(c) that a Report on the process and timeline for the permanent appointment be circulated to Members of the Committee and delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council to agree the practical matters such as the selection of agency and advertising requirements; noting that the proposed advert and supporting microsite will be shared with Members of the Committee; and

(d) that an Appointments, Remuneration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee be arranged to recommend a candidate for the position of permanent Chief Executive to the Council.

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

The Committee noted that recruitment process for the Director of Legal and Democratic Services 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.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, 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.

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 Director of Legal and Democratic Services; and

·              Report on candidates for the post.

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

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to appoint Maria Price to the post of Director of Legal and Democratic Services 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 three candidates for the post of Director of Legal and Democratic Services with a view to making a recommendation upon an appropriate appointment to the County Council on 21 July 2022.

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 interviews having been completed and the suitability of the candidates for the post having been fully discussed and all relevant factors having been considered, such as the 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 further MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes, and

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to appoint Maria Price to the post of Director of Legal and Democratic Services 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.