Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chairman for 2020 / 21

To re-elect Councillor Dafydd Meurig as Chair for 2020 - 21

To re-elect Councillor Dafydd Meurig as Chair for 2020 - 21

To elect a Vice Chair for 2020 / 21

To re-elect Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd as Vice-chair for 2020 - 21

To re-elect Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd as Vice-chair for 2020 - 21

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Alwyn Gruffydd and Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams.

To receive any declaration of personal interest

None to note

To note any items that is a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee held on the 11^th of February 2020 be signed as a true record

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 11.02.20, as a true record

The Chairman shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion on the following items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph is relevant as the report includes information about specific individuals who have the right to privacy. There is no public interest that calls for disclosing personal information about these individuals which would outweigh their rights. Consequently, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Schedule 12A, Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph is relevant as the report contains information about specific individuals who have the right to privacy. There is no public interest that calls for disclosing personal information about these individuals which would outweigh the rights of these individuals. Consequently, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive

(separate copy for Committee members only)

a)    To accept that the salaries of some chief officers need to be reviewed but, in light of the fact that we could be facing a freeze on the salaries of officers within the public sector, to defer giving formal consideration to the content of the Chief Executive's report until the Council's staff receive a general pay rise and to revisit the report immediately at that point.

b)    Increase the salary of the Monitoring Officer at its maximum to approximately £70,000 to avoid any unacceptable risks to the Council, and leave the exact figure to an evaluation in line with the approach noted in the report.

c)    To advertise the post of Chief Executive at the current terms.

Following a request by Members at the last meeting of the Appointments Committee (February 11 2020), the Chief Executive submitted a review of Chief Officers' salaries.

Following a comprehensive discussion on the contents of the review and the options that had been presented, it was

            RESOLVED

a)    To accept that the salaries of some chief officers needed to be reviewed but, in light of the fact that we could be facing a freeze on the salaries of officers within the public sector, to defer giving formal consideration to the content of the Chief Executive's report until the Council's staff received a general pay rise and to revisit the report immediately at that point.

b)   Increase the salary of the Monitoring Officer at its maximum to approximately £70,000 to avoid any unacceptable risks to the Council, and leave the exact figure to an evaluation in line with the approach noted in the report.

c)    To advertise the post of Chief Executive at the current terms

The Chairman shall propose that the meeting be reopened for the press and public

RESOLVED to re-open the meeting to the press and public

To submit the report of the Chief Executive

To accept the report and recommend the pay policy to the Council noting the adaptations which will need to be incorporated as a result of decision 8b above.

The Chief Executive presented the report, noting that there was a statutory duty on each Council to prepare a pay policy statement annually. In accordance with the Council's decision in adopting a pay policy for 2012/13, the report was presented, the Chief Officers Appointment Committee was expected to conduct a review of the policy's sustainability and to submit any recommendations following the review of the pay policy to the Full Council annually. 

It was reported that there were no amendments to the policy this year, however, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, consideration should be given to the policy's future sustainability.

RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THE REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION

·         That the Appointment Committee proposes the Pay Policy Statement (draft) to the Council on 3 March 2021, for adoption for 2021/22, subject to the amendment of the monitoring Officer’s salary (appendix 1) in accordance with decision 8b above.

To agree on the arrangements for recruiting and appointing a Chief Executive

To accept the report regarding the arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of Chief Executive and agree to the following timetable

24 February - advertisement to appear in the press.

11 March - closing date.

19 March - draw up a short list.

Week commencing 22 March - Assessment Centre (Virtual).

16 April - Interview and recommend candidate for appointment

23 April - Extraordinary meeting of the Full Council to confirm the appointment

Following the Chief Executive's announcement that he intended to retire on 31 March 2021, the Human Resources Manager submitted a report outlining the steps to appoint a new Chief Executive. It was highlighted, in relation to the timetable, that appointing a successor by 31 March would be too ambitious and therefore, following discussions with the Council Leader, the aim would be to fill the post by the beginning of May. It was confirmed that the Chief Executive had agreed to continue with his duties on a part-time basis until a successor had been appointed.

The prospective timetable for the process of appointing a Chief Executive was discussed

During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were noted:

·         A proposal to amend the dates due to a clash with other committees and publishing arrangements

15/04/21 – Interview and recommend candidate – proposed 16/04/21

21/04/21 – Extraordinary Meeting of the Full Council – proposed 23/04/21

·         A suggestion to draft a copy of the Chief Executive's duties and job description to Members for comments.

RESOLVED

To accept the report regarding the arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of a Chief Executive and agree to the following timetable

24 February – advertisement to appear in the press.

11 March – closing date.

19 March – draw up a short list.

Week commencing 22 March – Assessment Centre (Virtual).

16 April – Interview and recommend candidate for appointment

23 April – Extraordinary meeting of the Full Council to confirm the appointment