Agenda and minutes

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor Beynon, and for absence from Councillor Bloch.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgement of the public interest.

There were no declarations of interests.

(Report of the Head of Personnel)  To give further consideration be given to the composition of Panels.

In accordance with Standing Order 32.6, no other business shall be considered.

The Chair asked that reasons for urgency be given in respect of the late item.

The Head of Personnel advised that the report before the Committee was urgent in order for the Committee to agree the composition of the Appointments Panel and process for the appointment to the posts of Director of Urban Environment, and Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services.   The process had already commenced with both job adverts being advertised in the MJ and LGC.

The Committee accepted that the item was urgent for consideration.

In a brief introduction of the report the Head of Personnel advised of the previous decision of the Committee (23 October 2006) to the composition of the Appointment Panels to the posts of Director of Urban Environment, and Director of Adults, Culture and Community Services – being 7 in total (4 Majority and 3 Minority).  Following on from that  decision, and in accordance with Standing Order K of the Council’s Constitution the Chair had met with the Leader of the Council to determine the number of seats to be allocated to Executive and Non-Executive Members (4 in total) and as a result it was suggested that the composition of the Panel for Majority Members be 3 Executive and 1 Non-Executive Members.

The Chair thanked Mr Young for his introduction and asked if there were any specific questions from Members.

Councillor Adje commented felt that the composition of the panel with 7 members in total was fine as previously agreed, and in terms of the allocation as suggested he felt that 3 Executive Members and 1 non executive Member was not the correct composition. Councillor Adje suggested that as with the appointment of the Chief Executive there should be a Stakeholders Group that would meet with candidates on the day of the interview and that those Executive Members not sitting on the Interview Panel would have the opportunity to meet and put questions to each candidate and then forward their impressions together with those of external stakeholders to the Appointments Panel.  Councillor Adje therefore proposed that the Membership for the Majority Group be 2 Executive and 2 Non Executive Members.  Councillor Adje felt that this composition reflected well the spirit of the LGA 2000 and the Council’s constitution.

Councillor Whyte sought clarification as to the determination of the Panel composition.  Mr Young confirmed that the panel had been established as 7 in accordance with the Constitution (Part K2)  and the rules governing such meetings.  The Chair of the General Purposes Committee would meet with the Leader to determine the actual allocation of places. There had been suggestion that the Panel could be either 7 or 9 – with 9  composition of 5 majority and 4 minority members.

The Head of Member Services – Ms Semambo commented that if the Committee were to reaffirm a Panel of 7 Members then the Chair of the Committee would need to discuss this further with the Leader of the Council as to the allocation of the non  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.