Issue - meetings

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report (AGC-020-2014/15).

The Director of Governance presented a report on the appointment of a new Co-Opted Member for the Committee, following the retirement of R Thompson in February 2015.

The Committee noted the details of the recruitment process and the current position concerning the receipt of applications for the appointment of a replacement Co-opted Member. Following the extension of the closing date for applications, the Appointment Panel would now undertake interviews on the evening of 23 April 2015, and the Panel would include the current and previous Co-Opted Members of the Committee in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Director of Governance was optimistic of making an appointment on the evening.

Resolved:

(1)        That the current position in relation to the appointment of a new Co-Opted Member for the Audit & Governance Committee be noted.

(Audit and Governance Chairman) To consider the attached report.

In the absence of the Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, the Director of Governance presented a report on the procedure and appointment of a new Co-opted Member to the Audit and Governance Committee.

            RESOLVED:

(1)           That a Panel of three Councillors including the Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee be appointed with delegated authority to undertake interviews following public advertisement and to appoint the preferred candidate for the vacant co-opted member position on the Audit and Governance Committee be approved;

(2)           That Councillors K Adams and B Jennings be appointed to serve on the Panel with the Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee;

(3)           That Mr. R. Thompson and Mr A Javis (co-opted members) be invited to attend the interviews in an advisory, non–voting capacity; and

(4)           That appreciation of the contribution of Mr. R. Thompson as a co-opted Member of the Audit and Governance Committee over a six-year period be formally recorded.

(Director of Governance) To consider the attached report (AGC-016-2014/15).

The Director of Governance presented a report on the appointment of a new Co-Opted Member of the Committee.

The Director of Governance reported that the Vice-Chairman, Mr R Thompson, had tendered his resignation from the Committee, following two terms as a Co-Opted Member, totalling six years. His second and final term would expire on 9 February 2015. The Committee was reminded that it had undertaken a similar process in 2013 to appoint the second Co-Opted Member currently serving on the Committee, Mr A Jarvis, and it was proposed to utilise the same principles and processes with this appointment. Therefore, the Committee was requested to propose to the Council that an Appointment Panel consisting of three Members be appointed with delegated authority to undertake the recruitment for the soon-to-be vacant position; that one of the Members of the Panel be the current Chairman of the Committee and the remaining Group Leaders be requested to nominate to the other positions as the normal rules of pro rata did not apply in this case; and that the outgoing Co-opted Member be invited to attend the meetings of the Panel in a non-voting, advisory capacity. Officer support to the Panel would be provided by the Director of Governance and other appropriate Officers from within the Directorate.

The Chairman of the Committee enquired as to whether both of the current Co-Opted Members of the Committee should attend the interviews. The Director of Governance reminded the Committee that it was usually the Council Members on the Panel who made the appointment, and that it was a matter for Council as to whether others were invited to attend the interviews. The Committee was content for both Co-Opted Members to attend the interviews, in an advisory capacity, and it was agreed that both should be invited.

The Director of Governance also confirmed that all available outlets would be used to advertise the vacancy, including social media. It was confirmed that Mr R Thompson could attend the next meeting of the Committee if required, as it was scheduled for 5 February 2015 and his term did not expire until 9 February 2015. Although the Council would use its best endeavours to have appointed a replacement before then.

Both the Chairman on behalf of the Committee, and the Director of Governance on behalf of the Officers, paid tribute to Mr R Thompson for his commitment and contributions to the Committee over the previous six years, particularly in the field of risk management.

Resolved:

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

            (a)        That an Appointment Panel of three Councillors be appointed, to     include the Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee, with delegated     authority to undertake the interviews following public advertisement and to         appoint the preferred candidate for the soon-to-be vacant position of Co-    Opted Member position on the Audit & Governance Committee;

(b)        That, as pro rata rules did not apply in this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37