Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for inability to attend the meeting (if any).

Apologies were received from Councillor Jeff Brooks.

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: to invite Personnel Committee to designate  the role of Executive Director (People – Children Services) as Director of Children’s Services (DCS) from the 16 October 2023 and the Executive Director (People – Adult Social Care) as Director of Social Services (DASS) from the 13 September 2023 and for  the post of DCS to be held on an interim basis by the Executive Director (People – Adult Social Care) until 16 October 2023 or until the new postholder commences if earlier.

Samantha Hodson introduced the report (Agenda Item 3) concerning the appointment of the Council’s Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) and noted an amendment in relation to section 4.4 of the report which referred to section 3.1.3 of Part 3 of the Council Constitution rather than section 1.3, Part 11.

It was explained that there had been a rigorous interview to appoint the two officers and that the Committee was being asked to designate the two statutory appointments.

Councillor Biyi Oloko suggested that it would have been beneficial for the Committee to have received a more detailed summary of the process and candidates interviewed.

Sarah Clarke explained the distinction between the recruitment process, which had taken place, and the appointment to statutory posts which was the role of the Personnel Committee.

Councillor Stuart Gourley queried the number of applications received. Samantha Hodson reported that there had been thirteen applications which had been shortlisted to four interviewees for the role of DCS and seven applications which had been shortlisted to three interviewees for the role of DASS.

Councillor Antony Amirtharaj noted that one of the appointments was an internal candidate and queried whether there had been different process for external and internal candidates. Samantha Hodson explained that a recruitment partner had been appointed to support the process and that they had undertaken the initial candidate selection, which had been the same for both internal and external candidates.

Councillor Gourley reported that he had received feedback from the four Portfolio Holders who had taken part in the interview panels and that all were fully supportive of the appointments made.

Councillor Matt Shakespeare proposed, and Councillor Oloko seconded the recommendations within the report.

RESOLVED that: Personnel Committee

·       Designated Paul Coe as the DASS on a permanent basis effective 13 September 2023.

·       Designated AnnMarie Dodds as DCS on a permanent basis effective 16 October 2023 (unless she can assume the role earlier).

·       Agreed that the post of DCS be held on an interim basis by the Executive Director (People – Adult Social Care) until 16 October 2023 or until the new postholder commences. This means that Paul Coe will continue as DCS on an interim basis until AnnMarie Dodds can assume the post on a permanent basis.

The next meeting will take place on 16 January 2024.

The Committee agreed to hold the next meeting on 16 January 2024 at 6.30pm.