Agenda and minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Purpose: 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. On 7^th November 2024 Council approved the appointment of an Interim Chief Executive and head of paid service, Joseph Holmes.

This report seeks approval for the permanent appointment to the Chief Executive post, who will be designated as the Council’s head of paid service. Details of the proposed appointee appear in Appendix A. 

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 3) concerning the Appointment of Head of Paid Service.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Ross Mackinnon:

‘‘that Council approve the appointment of the candidate for the role of Chief Executive proposed by the Member Appointment Panel as detailed in Appendix A, who will be designated as the Council’s head of paid service and returning officer with effect from a date to be confirmed in the contract of employment”.

Councillor Brooks introduced the report by outlining the necessity of appointing a Chief Executive, highlighting that West Berkshire Council had lacked a full-time Chief Executive since November. He also detailed the recruitment process, which included an advertising campaign that attracted 34 candidates, five of whom were shortlisted for interviews. The interview process involved an external stakeholder panel, including representatives from the Integrated Care Board and Greenham Common Trust, as well as engagement with the Executive Directors.

Councillor Brooks explained that they had introduced a member stakeholder panel to allow Members to meet the candidates, which was a response to previous suggestions for increased member involvement in the selection process. Overall, he expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the interviews and indicated that further details would be revealed in part two of the meeting.

Councillor Dominic Boeck was pleased with the appointment process, in which he participated in, stating that he was very satisfied with the outcome and looked forward to the reveal of the successful candidate. These comments were concurred with by Councillor Owen Jeffery, acknowledging the commendable execution of the appointment process.

Councillor Mackinnon highlighted the importance of appointing a dynamic and respected Chief Executive to implement the administration's agenda effectively and echoed Councillor Boeck’s sentiments over the appointment process.

RECOMMENDATION:

That members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information of the description contained in the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified in brackets in the heading of each item. Section 10 of Part 10 of the Constitution outlines the exclusion of the press and public to meetings.

RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as contained in Paragraphs(s) 1,2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006. Section 10, Part 10 of the Constitution also refers.

Exempt by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Part II Appendix (to follow).

RESOLVED that that Council approve the appointment of the candidate for the role of Chief Executive proposed in Appendix A.