Decision details

The Committee considered the report to agree the recruitment arrangements for the Director of Corporate and Section 151 Officer and to recommend to Full Council interim arrangements for the Section 151 Officer role.

The Section 151 Officer is a statutory role which the Council must appoint to, as per section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Appointment and Remuneration Committee must decide upon the recruitment process leading to recommendations of the appointment of Statutory Chief Officers.

The Committee agreed the process to run an external advertising campaign, followed by an interview panel for candidates with the Senior Leadership Team and the relevant Portfolio Holder. The process would also include a competency-based interview, written exercise and psychometric testing.

Following the process, the Appointments and Remuneration Committee would need to meet to approve the nominee and make a recommendation of an appointment to Full Council.

The current Head of Financial Services and Audit is the Deputy S151 Officer and is suitably qualified and experienced to undertake the role on an interim basis.

Councillors discussed the contents of the report, the recruitment process and asked questions relating to the content of the report. Officers present responded orally to the questions.

Following the conclusion of the discussion on the report it was proposed by Councillor Palethorpe and seconded by Bullivant and it was Resolved that the Press and Public be re-admitted to the meeting.

Councillor Clarance asked question regarding the current position of the Local Government Re-organisation process. The Managing Director responded orally.

It was proposed by Councillor Palethorpe and seconded by Councillor Bullivant and it was

Resolved that

A)    The Committee approves the recruitment process for the Director of Corporate & Section 151 Officer as laid out in this report; and

B)    Recommends to Full Council that the Head of Financial Services and Audit is appointed as Section 151 Officer to cover the period from the retirement of the current post holder to the appointment of their successor.