Agenda item

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To consider the attached report (AGC-006-2013/14).

The Assistant to the Chief Executive presented a report on the appointment of a replacement Co-Opted member for the Audit & Governance Committee.

The Assistant to the Chief Executive outlined the proposed process for filling the vacancy for a Co-Opted member of the Audit and Governance Committee, which would occur with effect from 13 September 2013. It had been suggested that an interview panel be established, with the authority to appoint a preferred applicant following public advertisement. The Committee was also requested to consider the issues of:

(a)        the terms of reference, membership and delegated powers of the proposed Panel;

(b)        the eligibility criteria which would apply;

(c)        the timetable for recruitment and advertising of the vacancy; and

(d)        the involvement of the other Co-Opted member of the Committee in the process.

The Vice-Chairman of the Committee, who was the other Co-Opted member of the Committee, stated that he was content to attend the Interview Panel in an advisory capacity, but would not want to be a voting member. The Chairman added that he felt it would be inappropriate for any member of the Audit & Governance Committee to be on the Interview Panel, and that any member of the Cabinet or any Portfolio Holder Assistant with financial responsibilities should also be excluded. The Chairman also ventured that the vacancy should be advertised on the Council website, and consideration should also be given to advertising the vacancy on social media such as the ‘LinkedIn’ site.

The retiring Co-Opted member stated that an Interview Panel of three members would be adequate – five would be too many – and that the Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee should be involved as one of the three principals. The Committee was advised that it needed to consider how to find the right people rather than how to advertise the position. Members of the public would not be actively seeking this type of role, therefore the Council needed to cultivate its contacts with big companies, in or out of the City of London, to promote the role as a professional development opportunity for its staff.

The Chairman noted the consensus of the Committee that the Interview Panel should consist of three Members, of which one should be the Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee. The Leader of the Council agreed that three was a sensible number for the Interview Panel and undertook to discuss this with the other Group Leaders to ensure agreement at Council. It was also agreed that the other Co-Opted member should attend the Interview Panel but only in an advisory capacity.

The Committee considered the advertising of the position, and agreed that it was important to attract people with the right skill set. Aside from the Council’s website, the position should also be advertised in different appropriate media, including large, local businesses. It was suggested that Governors of local schools should also be considered for the position.

Recommended:

(1)        That a report be submitted to the Council for the appointment of a new Co-Opted Member of the Audit & Governance Committee, with the following recommendations:

            (a)        that an Appointment Panel be appointed to undertake interviews,     following public advertisement, for the vacancy of a Co-Opted Member of the    Audit & Governance Committee, which would occur with effect from 13             September 2013;

            (b)        that the Appointment Panel be comprised of three Members, one of            which should be the Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee, to be        determined by the Council;

            (c)        that the Vice-Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee, being          the other Co-Opted Member, be appointed as a fourth member of the     Appointment Panel but in a non-voting capacity; and

            (d)        that authority be delegated to the Panel to appoint their preferred     candidate following the conclusion of the interviews;

Resolved:

(2)        That the position for a new Co-Opted Member be advertised on:

(a)        the Council’s website;

(b)        appropriate social media, such as ‘LinkedIn’;

(c)        the Council’s ‘Forester’ magazine; and

(d)               local newspapers; and

(3)        That the preparation and content of the recruitment pack be delegated to Officers, in consultation with Members of the Committee.