Meeting documents

Employment Committee
Monday, 26th April, 2010 1.45 pm

Date:
Monday, 26th April, 2010
Time:
1:45 pm
Place:
Executive Meeting Room, Town Hall, Reigate
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor R.C. Newstead (Chairman); Councillors Mrs. J.S. Bray, V.W. Broad and Mrs. J.M.A. Spiers.
Mrs.R.S.Turner (27th April only).
Also Present:
None
Substitutes:
None
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
20 MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 10th December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed.
21 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Councillor Mrs. R.S. Turner (26th April only).
22 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
23 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
 
24 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
None
25 EXEMPT BUSINESS
RECOMMENDED that members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:
(i) it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and
(ii) the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that:
(i) they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act; and
(ii) the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
Part II(Confidential)
26 CHIEF EXECUTIVE: ASSESSMENT
 
27 CHIEF EXECUTIVE: EVALUATION AND FINAL SHORT LISTING
RESOLVED that Candidate numbers 1, 5 and 7 be short listed for a final interview assessment by the Committee.
28 CHIEF EXECUTIVE: APPOINTMENT*
RECOMMENDED that Mr John Jory be appointed Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service under a permanent contract.
The meeting closed at 4.15 p.m on Tuesday 27th April 2010.

Minute

Min NoMinute
23The Committee received a brief summary from Tribal, the consultancy company employed by the Council to support the Chief Executive recruitment process, on the presentation section of the Assessment.

Each candidate had been given a set amount of time to prepare a five minute briefing on "how you would define fitness for the future and how under your leadership a good performing organisation would become truly excellent". After a five minute break the Candidate would then be invited back to answer any questions from Members regarding the presentation.

Members of the Committee were provided with support materials and a grading scheme to assist their assessment of the presentations.
26[The Committee adjourned at 1:02pm to receive briefings from each of the candidates, as outlined in Minute 23, and reconvened at 6:08pm.]
27The Committee received the results of the leadership judgement and personality assessments undertaken by Tribal. The results provided the Committee with an indication of how each candidate might approach situations and perform in certain leadership situations.

The Head of Personnel and Support Services provided feedback from the session with partner agencies, where candidates had met informally with a selection of representatives from the Council's partners.

The Committee were also informed of the candidates' salary and contract expectations.

The Leader of the Council gave a summary of her individual meetings with each of the candidates, which had been held prior to the Committee meeting.

The Committee considered the results of the assessments.

[The Committee adjourned at 7:20pm.]
28The Committee agreed a set of predetermined questions to ask the three short listed candidates for the post of Chief Executive. Prior to each candidate's interview, the Committee would receive a summary of the assessment feedback that had been reported under Minute 27. The candidate would then be given the opportunity to ask the Committee questions.

[The Committee adjourned at 11.35 a.m. to interview the short listed candidates and reconvened at 2.55 p.m.]

With support from Tribal and the Head of Personnel and Support Services, the Committee reviewed the performance of the candidates during the interviews and previous assessments. Members were encouraged to measure the candidates' performance for consistency, fit with the organisation, added value, track record of performance and risk.

[The Committee adjourned at 3.57 p.m. and reconvened at 4.10 p.m.]

A number of candidates had indicated a concern regarding the short term contract that had been advertised. The Committee's preferred candidate had requested a severance package should the contract be terminated at the end of the fixed term period.

The Head of Personnel and Support Services set out the advantages and disadvantages of a fixed term and permanent appointment, particularly regarding the financial risk should a fixed term appointment be pursued.

The Committee discussed these issues and agreed to offer the post of Chief Executive to Mr John Jory, subject to confirmation of any appointment by Council. The proposed remuneration package was discussed and agreed.

The Chairman thanked the consultant from Tribal for their support.
It was noted that the recommendation was due to be considered at a special meeting of the Council on Thursday 27th May 2010.