Agenda and draft minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 June 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Chairman be authorised to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 14 June 2022.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests.  (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting.)

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.

If a Member requires advice on any item involving a possible declaration of interest which could affect his/her ability to speak and/or vote, he/she is advised to contact the Monitoring Officer at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were raised.

To consider whether the items in Part II of the Agenda should be considered in the presence of the press and public.

RESOLVED - That the item in Part II of the Agenda be dealt with following the exclusion of the press and public.

RESOLVED - That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public, be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12 A of the Act as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.

To consider a confidential employment matter. (Report to Follow)

-       Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

-       Paragraph 2 - Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

-       Paragraph 4 - 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.

-       Paragraph 5 - Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Note – The Legal, Governance and Democracy Senior Specialist (Monitoring Officer) confirmed that Anne Palmer, Legal Director at Bevan Brittan LLP (external solicitors engaged by the council) had joined the meeting via Teams.

The Human Resources Lead Specialist, Finance Lead Specialist (Section 151 Officer), Legal, Governance and Democracy Senior Specialist (Monitoring Officer) and Anne Palmer presented the report in relation to a Confidential Employment Matter.

Members debated the proposals and expressed their support.

The recommendations were proposed and seconded and following a vote, it was unanimously

RESOLVED – That

(1)          The terms of a settlement agreement, as outlined in the report, concerning the position of Chief Executive prior to vesting day of the new Authority be approved; and

(2)        Council be recommended to:-

a)  accordingly terminate the employment of the post-holder of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service; and

b)  authorise the Legal, Governance and Democracy Senior Specialist (Monitoring Officer), in conjunction with the Finance Lead Specialist (Section 151 Officer) and Chair of Human Resources Committee and the Leader of the Council, concerning those elements that have a financial implication, to negotiate and agree an appropriate settlement agreement with the Chief Executive.