Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Domleo

There were no declarations of interests from members. 

Jan Burns, Cheshire County Council Lead Officer, Cheshire East Joint Implementation Team, declared a potential personal interest in Item 21 on the agenda. She briefed Members of the Committee on her personal position in relation to the second tier posts. Members considered this and, in view of the fact that she had no personal interest, agreed she should continue to support the organisational design and recruitment process.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research it would be helpful if questions were submitted at least one working day before the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Staffing Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

(Paragraph 3 concerns information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) Paragraph 4 concerns information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.)

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) OF THE Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act. 

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2008

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2008 were accepted.

The Chairman considered the following urgent items of business so that the issues could be settled before the Chief Executive and subsequent Second and Third tier Appointments are made:

Mileage Allowances

Constitutional issue- Powers of the Committee

Executive Member participation at Staffing Committee meetings

The Committee considered a report that would be determined by the Chairman of the Council under urgency procedures relating to discussions with the Trade Unions on proposals in relation to pay, gradings and key terms and conditions.

RESOLVED:  to support the recommendation to the Shadow Council that it agree to apply the NJC provisions in relation to car allowances and not to provide a car lease scheme.

Having regard to the decision made in minute 17 above, it was becoming clear that a number of other related matters may also require speedy decision making and it would be helpful for this Committee to be granted delegated authority from the full Council to agree such matters

RESOLVED: that the following recommendation to full Council to amend the Constitution be supported:

“that Council delegate all decision making relating to Staffing matters which, in the opinion of the Interim Monitoring Officer, do not have significant financial impact on the Council, (such matters being reserved for Council) to this Committee provided that such functions are not Executive functions as defined in the relevant Regulations and the Local Government Act 2000.”

Consideration was given to enabling Executive Members to participate freely in the Staffing Committee by way of substitutes. It was noted that within the Council’s Constitution the following provision had been made.  Rule 1 of Appendix 5 to the Council’s Procedure Rules relating to Committees and Sub Committees (Procedure Rule No 23.) allowed a Group by Notice to the Interim Monitoring Officer to vary its representation on a Committee or Sub Committee. 

Similarly Rule 2 permitted the Shadow Council to approve from time to time lists of approved reserve Members from each political group who may act as reserve members for each Committee and Sub Committee.  Council Procedure Rules 38 and 49 also set out the provisions for attendance of Members and supply of Agenda and Minutes to those Members for meetings of Committees and Sub Committees for which they were not appointed members.

The Committee also considered best practice in respect of attendance by Members at all Staffing Committee meetings in connection with the selection and recruitment of a particular post.

RESOLVED: that for Second tier appointments:-

(1)   to adopt the best practice of consistent attendance by Members of the Committee at meetings related to the selection and recruitment of a particular post and

(2)   Cabinet Members with the relevant Portfolio holding also be present as substitutes at such meetings, subject to the provisions contained within the Council’s Procedure rules.

To agree a shortlist of candidates and the format of the final selection process.

The Committee considered the long listed candidates and the initial assessment by the approved consultants.

RESOLVED:

(1)   that Candidates M ,I ,F A and L be shortlisted for interview; and

(2)   the format for the final selection process be agreed.

To consider a process and broad timetable for the appointment of senior managers

The Committee discussed issues relating to the recruitment of the second tier posts.

RESOLVED:

(1) to consider the remuneration of the second tier posts at the meeting on 24 July 2008; and

(2) the process and broad timetable for the appointment of tier two posts be agreed.