Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were none.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were none.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There was no urgent business.

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following

paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

1 - Information relating to any individual.

4 – Information relating to any consultations or negotiation, or contemplated consultation or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holder under the authority.

Members are reminded that whilst the following item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A (4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Resolved, that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Summary

The purpose of this report is to ask the Committee to consider the applications received for the post of Head of Finance and to compile a “long list” of applications.

Recommendations

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to resolve to approve

(1)   A long list of applications to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process

(2)   The delegation of authority to Julie Evans, Strategic Director, Customer Services and Resources, and Anne-Marie Scott, Head of Human Resources, to decide which candidates should go forward to the assessment centre following the technical interview on 3 December 2008.

The Committee considered applications for the Post of Head of Finance. Following the clarification of a number of issues and discussion the Committee agreed the candidates to proceed to the long list to be invited to take part in a technical telephone interview.

Due to the low number of applicants the Committee discussed cancelling the 9 December meeting which was planned to determine a short list of candidates. The Committee also discussed delegating a decision, as to whether it was worthwhile continuing with the recruitment of the post of Head of Finance, to the Strategic Director Customer Services and Resources and the Head of Human Resources. The Committee were assured that the interim arrangements in place could be continued if a suitable candidate did not emerge through the recruitment process.

Resolved:

(1)   That applicants 7, 9, 11 and 12 be long listed and invited to take part in a technical interview on 3 December

(2)   To authorise Julie Evans, Strategic Director Customer Services and Resources and Anne-Marie Scott, Head of Human Resources to decide which candidates should go forward to the assessment centre following the technical interview on 3 December 2008.

(3)   To authorise Julie Evans, Strategic Director Customer Services and Resources and Anne-Marie Scott, Head of Human Resources to decide whether to proceed with the recruitment process if none of the candidates meet the technical specification in the telephone interviews.

(4)   That the 9 December meeting of the Committee be cancelled.