Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of business.

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

There was no urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2008.

(Please note information relating to this agenda item will be circulated to Members in due course under separate cover)

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2009 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

The following items of business contain 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 negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders 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 from the meeting for the following items 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 from the meeting for the following item of business as defined in paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 12A of that act.

To consider the performance appraisal of the Chief Executive.

(Please note information relating to this agenda item will be circulated to Members in due course under separate cover)

The Panel considered a report submitted by the Chief Executive setting out her achievements against her performance targets for the year 2008/09 and proposed objectives for 2009/10.

The Panel noted that this had been a significant year for the Council both in terms of achieving ‘Excellence’ in the Corporate Performance Assessment and also the way the Council had risen to the challenge in dealing with the proposed Eco-town. It was noted that both these items involving significant resources and leadership had not been included in the objectives set for the Chief Executive, but none the less had been achieved.

The Panel also noted that whilst the objectives themselves could appear to be simplistic, behind each target were significant work streams and challenges, each of which had been successfully progressed in the year. It was noted that the targets proposed for 2009/10 were similarly challenging.

The Panel wished to place on record their thanks to the Chief Executive for the way in which she had shown direction to the Council in the last year and the significant achievements which had been achieved as a result. The Panel also wished to make clear their support for and confidence in the Chief Executive in taking forward her objectives for 2009/10.

The Chief Executive thanked the Panel for their kind words and continued support.

Resolved

1)                That the significant achievements reported by the Chief Executive against her performance targets for 2008/9 be welcomed and endorsed, including the achievement of ‘Excellence ‘ in the Corporate Performance Assessment and the Council’s opposition to the proposed Eco-town.

2)                That the proposed objectives for 2009/10 (as set out in the minute book) be agreed.