The process for recruiting a new Chief Executive had commenced, following the current Chief Executive’s stated intention to retire by the end of July 2023.  A new, politically balanced Sub-Committee, was therefore required to compile a longlist of candidates to facilitate subsequent stages of the recruitment process.

 

The Committee debated whether it was necessary or appropriate to begin the recruitment process before the election.  Some members felt that the post should be filled without any unnecessary delay, due to the importance of the Chief Executive role.  It was also felt that a smooth transition period between the outgoing and incoming Chief Executives was dependent on the recruitment process proceeding as swiftly as possible.  Other members felt that forging ahead with the recruitment process before the election was inappropriate, again due to the importance of the Chief Executive role, and the close proximity of the local government election on 4 May 2023 which could affect the political balance of the Council.

 

The recruitment timetable was reviewed.  It was noted that only the longlisting meeting, designed to test the quality of the applications received, was proposed to take place before the election.  Longlisted candidates would then be interviewed and tested by the executive consultant, who would present their findings after the election.

 

A new, standing Appointments Sub-Committee, was proposed for implementation at the Annual Council on 17 May 2023.  This standing Sub-Committee would assume responsibility for the recruitment process after the longlisting stage had concluded.

 

Member feedback on the recent Assistant Chief Executive recruitment process, such as the localness of the executive consultant, had been factored into the Chief Executive recruitment process.

 

Detailed due diligence would be carried out on the candidate who was recommended for appointment.

 

It was proposed (by Councillor R. King) and seconded (by Councillor D. Whyte) that the following dates on the recruitment timetable be moved as follows:

 

1.     The longlisting meeting of the Appointments Sub-Committee on 26 April 2023 be moved to 7 May 2023.

2.     The longlisting interviews, to be conducted by Tile Hill and the technical assessor, be moved from w/c 1 May 2023 to w/c 14 May 2023.

 

A named vote on the proposed amendment was requested, with the voting as follows:

 

For the proposed amendment (4)

 

Councillors Gillham, R. King, Mullens and D. Whyte.

 

Against the proposed amendment (8)

 

Councillors T. Gracey, Howorth, Cressey, J. Gracey, Lewis, Balkan, Nuti, and Prescot.

 

Abstentions (0)

 

The amendment fell.

 

There was further debate about the recruitment process.  Concerns were raised about how the process should proceed in the event of a change in the Council’s administration following the local election on 4 May 2023.  Members were reminded that all officer posts were apolitical and should not be affected by an election.  Candidate suitability needed to be tested against the job description and person specification for the role.

 

Concerns were raised about the report not explicitly stating that the recruitment process would cross two sets of constitutional arrangements across two municipal years.    It was confirmed that the recruitment process being undertaken by separately constituted Sub-Committees did not put at risk the probity of the process.

 

Nominations for candidates to join the Appointments Sub-Committee were taken by a show of hands.  Councillors Cressey, Gillham, J. Gracey, T. Gracey, Howorth, D. Whyte and Willingale all received votes from a majority of the Committee.  Councillor R. King was also nominated, but his nomination did not gain votes from a majority of the Committee, and he was therefore was not put forward as a nominee.

 

It was proposed (by Councillor T. Gracey) and seconded (by Councillor Howorth) that section b) of the proposed motion be amended to read:

 

That the membership of the Appointments Sub-Committee be agreed as Councillors Cressey, Gillham, J. Gracey, T. Gracey, Howorth, D. Whyte and Willingale, in accordance with the proportionality calculations set out in paragraph 2.9, until such time that the Appointments Sub-Committee is superseded by the standing Appointments Sub-Committee (or other successor arrangement).

 

A named vote on the proposed amendment was requested, with the voting as follows:

 

For the proposed amendment (8)

 

Councillors T. Gracey, Howorth, Cressey, J. Gracey, Lewis, Balkan, Nuti, and Prescot.

 

Against the proposed amendment (4)

 

Councillors Gillham, R. King, Mullens and D. Whyte.

 

Abstentions (0)

 

The amendment was CARRIED.

 

A named vote on the proposed amended substantive motion was requested, with the voting as follows:

 

For the proposed amended substantive motion (8)

 

Councillors T. Gracey, Howorth, Cressey, J. Gracey, Lewis, Balkan, Nuti, and Prescot.

 

Against the proposed amended substantive motion (4)

 

Councillors Gillham, R. King, Mullens and D. Whyte.

 

Abstentions (0)

 

It was resolved that:

 

a)    An Appointments Sub-Committee be established in accordance with the proposed arrangements set out in this report.

 

b)    The membership of the Appointments Sub-Committee be agreed as Councillors Cressey, Gillham, J. Gracey, T. Gracey, Howorth, D. Whyte and Willingale, in accordance with the proportionality calculations set out in paragraph 2.9, until such time that the Appointments Sub-Committee is superseded by the standing Appointments Sub-Committee (or other successor arrangement).

 

c)     The Appointments Sub-Committee receive a report from Tile Hill, the Executive consultants nominated to assist with this appointment, on all applicants and agree a longlist;

 

d)    Following longlist interviews by a consultant from Tile Hill and an appropriate Technical Assessor, the Appointments Sub-Committee meet to agree a shortlist for interview by the Sub-committee;

 

e)    Candidates complete psychometric exercises and any other appropriate exercises ahead of the interviews with the Appointments Sub-Committee;

 

f)      The Appointments Sub-Committee conduct interviews of suitable candidates;

 

g)    The Appointments Sub-Committee make a recommendation to Full Council of the candidate they recommend should be offered the role prior to an offer being made to that candidate.