Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting of the Staffing Committee held on 14 May 2020 and approve them as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2020 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair advised that there were no items of business that would require the exclusion of the press or public to the meeting.

To consider proposals to recruit an Assistant Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to a report which sought authority to recruit to the vacant post of Assistant Chief Executive and refer the process to the Senior Officer Appointments Panel to make the appointment.

It was reported that further to the earlier decision of the Staffing Committee (minute 23 refers) an appointment now needed to be undertaken for the post of Assistant Chief Executive to fill the role on a permanent basis. The post would to lead the functions of Policy, Performance and Intelligence, Democratic Services, HR, Communications and Marketing, Change and Innovation and Neighbourhoods, at the corporate centre of the authority.

Resolved:

1.    That approval be given to the request to fill the vacant post of Assistant Chief Executive.

2.    That the Senior Officer Appointments Panel be authorised to make the appointment.

To consider proposals to recruit a Director of Public Health.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the process for the recruitment of a new Director of Public Health following the current postholder’s notice of her intention to retire in October 2020.

It was reported that the post of Director of Public Health was a statutory function under the Health and Social Care Act, which required local authorities, acting jointly with the Secretary of State for Health, to appoint an individual responsible for its public health functions. It was further reported that the postholder would continue to lead the public health team, within the Adult Care Housing and Public Health Directorate.

It was recommended that the Council be asked to approve an amendment to the Pay Policy Statement to reflect the revised remuneration package for the position, using a previously agreed formula for market supplements for Assistant Director level posts within the authority.

Members sought assurances in respect of the timescales for recruitment and it was explained that any gap between the current post holder leaving and the new Director commencing in role would see a Director of Public Health from a neighbouring authority providing oversight of the function in the interim.

Resolved:

1.    That the request to fill the vacant post of Director of Public Health be approved.

2.    That the recruitment process be referred to the Advisory Appointments Committee to make the appointment.

3.    That the variation to the remuneration package of the Director of Public Health be approved.

4.    That Council be recommended to approve the amendment to the Pay Policy Statement to reflect the revised remuneration package.

To determine any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the consideration of the Committee.