Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Annwen Hughes, Cai Larsen, Beth Lawton, Gwynfor Owen and Rob Triggs.

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 7^th of November 2023 be signed as a true record

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 7 November 2023, as a true record.

The Chairman shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion on the following item due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12, Part 4, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph should apply because the report contains information regarding individuals and the individuals in question are entitled to privacy and there is no overriding public interest that requires the disclosure of personal information relating to those individuals, nor their identities. 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 item due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12, Section 4, Schedule 12A, 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. As a result the public interest falls in favour of keeping the information exempt.

Interview candidates for the post

DECISION:

To appoint Mr Gwern ap Rhisiart as Head of Education

a)    The order of the day was confirmed with the Members.

b)    Three applicants were interviewed for the post of Head of Education.

c)    The applicants were invited to give a presentation between 10 to 15 minutes on the subject 'What are the challenges that face the Education Department over the next few years and how would you get to grips with them?'

They responded to five formal questions asked by the Chair, Councillor Menna Trenholme, together with follow-up questions by the Members.

Mr Dafydd Gibbard (Chief Executive), was invited to present a brief feedback on the performances of the three candidates in a series of pre-interview assessment activities.  The results of the completed tests and exercises were presented, response to a professional interview with the Chief Executive and Mr Dylan Owen (Corporate Director) and to exercises with a panel of Gwynedd Headteachers (including Primary, Secondary and Special Schools) and two Cabinet members.

Councillor Beca Brown, Cabinet Member for Education, was invited to present her observations on the performance of the applicants in the interview.

ch)    It was proposed and seconded that the post be offered to Mr Gwern ap Rhisiart.

RESOLVED to appoint Mr Gwern ap Rhisiart to the post of HEAD OF EDUCATION