Issue - meetings

Purpose: The Council’s current Chief Executive and head of paid service, Nigel Lynn, leaves the Council on 7 November 2024.  The Council is required in accordance with section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to designate an officer as its head of paid service. This report therefore seeks approval for the appointment of an interim Chief Executive, who will be designated as the Council’s head of paid Service. Details of the proposed appointee appear in Appendix A. 

Council considered a report (Agenda item 3) concerning the appointment of a Head of Paid Service.

Councillor Jeff Brooks introduced the report. It was noted that it was his intention to go to a Part II to discuss the individual referenced in the report. He advised that the purpose of this was to agree the appointment in principle in part I and to move to Part II to ask Council to agree to the individual.

Some Members highlighted that all parties, including the minority group, should have been invited to participate in the interview process. The Monitoring Officer confirmed to Council that the interviews had been conducted by an appointment panel which consisted of two members of the administration and one member of the opposition in line with proportionality and convention. Councillor Brooks indicated that this point would be considered should there be a larger third party in the Council.

As Council were satisfied the information presented in the report, and the legal requirement to designate an Officer as Head of Paid Service, they agreed to discuss the exempt Appendix which outlined the recommendations of the Member Appointment Panel.

RESOLVED that that Council approve the appointment of the candidate for the role of interim Chief Executive proposed by the Member Appointment Panel detailed in Appendix A, who will be designated as the head of paid service and returning officer with effect from 8 November 2024.