Agenda item

EMPLOYMENT MATTER

 

To consider the recommendations of the Employment and Staffing Committee following its meeting on 13 February 2019.

 

(The Committee’s recommendations will be published via a supplement to be sent TO FOLLOW in view of this agenda being published on 13 February 2019).

 

Decision:

Having considered a report which was not for publication by virtue of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, Council AGREED to

 

1.    Approve the arrangements for the early retirement of the current Chief Executive on the basis set out in the report of the Leader of the Council.

 

2.    Authorise the Leader and Deputy Head of Legal Practice to take the action indicated in recommendation (c) in paragraph 6 of the report.

 

3.    Appoint Michael John Hill as Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer and to all other roles, duties and delegations that are prescribed to the Chief Executive in the Council’s Constitution on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is made.  The appointment to be effective from 1 March 2019.

 

 

Minutes:

The Council received a copy of a report which set out proposals in relation to the early retirement of the Chief Executive and the appointment of an Interim Chief Executive.  As the report had only been made available earlier in the day, in order to give Members time to read the contents of the report, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 2.10pm.  The meeting resumed at 2.20pm.

 

In response to a question, the Deputy Head of Legal Practice confirmed that Mr Matthew Gregson was the Council’s external legal advisor and was present at the meeting to provide advice on employment law.

 

Councillor Henry Batchelor, the Chairman of the Employment and Staffing Committee, moved the recommendations of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 February 2019, together with an additional recommendation set out in paragraph 6 (c) of the report.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, the Leader of the Council, seconded the motion.

 

During discussion, a number of questions and concerns were raised by Members.   Councillor Bridget Smith, the Leader of the Council, provided further background and context to the matter and to the proposal in the report and responded to Members’ questions.

 

Following discussion, some Members repeated their continuing concern regarding the proposal set out in the report, including with regard to the associated financial implications which would involve the Council contributing circa £202,500 into the Local Government Pension scheme towards the cost of the early retirement.

 

The Chairman reported on his intention to take recommendations (a) and (c) of the report together and to take the vote on recommendation (b) separately.  As recommendation (b) related to an appointment, it would not be subject to a recorded vote in line with the provisions of Council Standing Order 16.5.

 

Upon being put to the vote, votes on recommendations (a) and (c) were cast as follows:

 

In favour (30):

 

Councillors Philip Allen, Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Dr. Martin Cahn, Sarah Cheung Johnson, Dr. Claire Daunton, Dr Douglas de Lacey, Clare Delderfield, Peter Fane, Neil Gough, Jose Hales, Bill Handley, Philippa Hart, Geoff Harvey, Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Steve Hunt, Alex Malyon, Tony Mason, Peter McDonald, Brian Milnes, Dawn Percival, Nick Sample, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Ian Sollom, Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer, John Williams and Eileen Wilson.

 

Against (12):

 

Councillors Ruth Betson, Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, Tom Bygott, Grenville Chamberlain, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Mark Howell, Deborah Roberts, Peter Topping, Bunty Waters, Heather Williams and Nick Wright.

 

Abstain (2):

 

Councillors Nigel Cathcart and Gavin Clayton.

 

Upon recommendation (b) being put to the vote, votes were cast as follows:

 

In favour (43)

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (1)

 

It was accordingly:

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Council:

 

1.    Approves the arrangements for the early retirement of the current Chief Executive outlined in the report of the Leader of the Council.

 

2.    Authorises the Leader and Deputy Head of Legal Practice to take the action indicated in recommendation (c) in paragraph 6 of the report.

 

3.    Appoints Michael John Hill as Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer and to all other roles, duties and delegations that are prescribed to the Chief Executive in the Council’s Constitution on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is made.  The appointment to be effective from 1 March 2019.