Agenda and minutes

At this point, members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

No interests were declared.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following:

Annexes 1 & 2 to Agenda Item 4 (Recruitment of a Replacement Chief Executive) on the grounds that they contain information relating to individuals.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

RESOLVED:             That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following:

Annexes 1 & 2 to Agenda Item 4(Recruitment of a Replacement Chief Executive) (minute 42 refers) on the grounds that they contained information relating to individuals.  This information was classed as exempt under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings of the Urgency Committee held on 20 March 2007 and 27 March 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meetings of the Urgency Committee held on 20 March 2007 and 27 March 2007 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This report asks Members to approve plans for recruiting to the post of Chief Executive, including the setting of a revised salary for the post and the appointment of a member selection panel.

Members received a report which asked them to approve plans for recruiting to the post of Chief Executive, including the setting of a revised salary for the post and the appointment of a member selection panel.

Officers clarified how the proposed performance element of the salary scale increments would work.  They also confirmed that the level of departmental responsibility did not significantly effect the proposed salary.  The Director of Resources and the Director of People & Improvement were undertaking a review of Chief Officer pay and it was anticipated that there would be no recommended impact on the salaries of Directors.  The review was not yet complete in relation to other Chief Officers.  It was proposed that the allowance relating to the Chief Executive’s role as returning officer at local elections be paid in addition to the salary, in common with other local authorities.  If any other officer performed this role for local elections, the fee would be payable to them in addition to their salary.

RESOLVED:(i) That it be agreed to proceed with plans to recruit a replacement Chief Executive, including a reviewed salary range of £130k to £145k based on a 5 point scale, with a performance element and local elections allowances in addition;

                        (ii) That a politically balanced member selection panel (2 Liberal Democrat, 2 Labour, 1 Conservative) be appointed, with powers to make an appointment including salary, and that political groups be invited to confirm their nominations to this panel.

REASON:To maintain continuity of leadership and to retain the Council’s ability to attract the appropriate level of calibre for the role.