Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence on this occasion.

To receive declarations of interest by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda, and to consider any dispensations.

Members may however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registrable or other interests.

Members noted that Councillor A Thomson had been named as a referee for one of the candidates, and declared this to the meeting. Cllr Thomson offered to decline to be a referee, confirmed that she had no bias or predetermination and in any event was not attending the final interview.  

The Interim Monitoring Officer referred to a dispensation for DPIs for members with interests relating to being members of other authorities relevant to items on the agenda and in relation to other registerable interests being a member of an authority relevant to items on the agenda this would be noted.  Further all members were requested to consider whether they were pre-determined or biased in any way. 

To consider whether the public and press should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

RESOLVED, that the press and public be excluded during consideration of Item No 5 – Shortlisting of Appointment of the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as this report contains exempt information relating to an individual; Paragraph 2 – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual and Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, (including the authority holding that information).

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2022 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June be agreed as a true and accurate record.

To consider a report from the Technical Lead – LGR OD and HR Workstream (copy to follow for members only)

Not for publication by virtue of Paragraph(s) 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as this report contains exempt information relating to an individual, Paragraph 2 - information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual, and Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members gave detailed consideration to the applications submitted for the role of Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) for Westmorland and Furness Council, following the longlisting meeting held on 5 July. 

RESOLVED, that 3 of the shortlisted candidates be invited to attend for interview on 19 July 2022.

Following this, a discussion took place regarding the details regarding the final interviews. Cllr Thomson left the meeting at this point and it was agreed that officers would take on board comments and suggestions from the committee and circulate the updated information.

It was agreed that the paper on the Monitoring Officer and S151 Officer recruitment would be circulated for consideration at the meeting on the 18 July 2022.