Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Asvachin, Ghusain, Hannaford, Harvey, Leadbetter and Wright.

Details of questions should be notified to the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Thursday 15 December 2022. Further information and a copy of the procedure are available from Democratic Services (Committees) (Tel: 01392 265115) with details about speaking at Council to be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.

It was noted that no public questions had been received.

Details of questions should be notified to the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support by no later than 10am on Monday 19 December 2022.

It was noted that no questions had been received from Members in accordance with Standing Order Number 8.

To pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of item 4 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph’s 1, 2, and 3 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item 4 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1, of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council.

The Council considered the report of the Leader of the Council which set out proposals to future proof the role of the Chief Executive, and Head of Paid Service, particularly bearing in mind the changing financial landscape within which the Council has to operate.

After discussion, during which the Leader responded to various questions seeking clarification on a number of issues, it was,

RESOLVED that Council agrees to:-

1.     Terminate the Chief Executive & Growth Director’s (“CE&GD”) employment on the basis set out in the report;

2.     Change all of the Directors’  reporting lines into the Deputy Chief Executive (“DCE”) with effect from 1 January 2023, with an honorarium being paid to the DCE in recognition of these additional responsibilities;

3.     Appoint the DCE as the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service with effect from 1 April 2023, pending the outcome of the Local Government Association’s (“LGA”) recommendations, relating to the future shape of the Strategic Management Board (“SMB”).  This will be a temporary appointment for a period of up to six months, on the same terms and conditions as that of the CE&GD; and

4.     Note that pending the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive & Head of Paid Service, the SMB will reduce in number from eight to seven.  It be further noted that the Leader of the Council is clear that this reduction in numbers must be a permanent change in the management team to be delivered as part of the SMB restructure going forward.