Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council presented the report to Council. He said that Richard Cassidy had made the decision to leave the council after five years and he thanked him for his service and leadership. He said that the process of appointing a successor was defined by the Constitution and the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee met on 19 September 2024 and unanimously agreed to appoint Helen Standen as Interim Chief Executive and Returning Officer. He said that the appointment needed to be ratified by Council.

Councillor Crystall proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Goldspink seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink supported the comments from the Leader and said she was pleased to support the appointment.

Councillor Jacobs asked for clarification around the recommendation for making the appointment for 18 months.

Councillor Crystall said that there were currently challenges in recruitment for local authorities. He said that it was important to make the right appointment and have the flexibility for long notice periods for Chief Executives.

Councillor E Buckmaster said that the original recommendation to the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee suggested making the appointment for 18 months. He said that the committee agreed to amend to up to 18 months to ensure that the recruitment process was done as soon as possible.

Councillor Boylan said he supported the recommendations but asked about the backfilling of the Deputy Chief Executive role.

Councillor Crystall said he was looking at backfilling and there was some ideas already about how to do that.

Councillor Deering thanked Richard Cassidy for his service on behalf of the Conservative group. He congratulated Helen Standen on stepping up to take on this role. He said that he thought some consideration should be given to a shared Chief Executive with another local authority and hoped that the process would happen as soon as possible as and he looked forward to the next steps.

Councillor Crystall said everyone wanted certainty and said the recruitment process would have cross party involvement.

Councillor Daar said she was grateful that the Deputy Chief Executive was willing to step as and it would be settling for staff to have a familiar face through a time of change.

Councillor Dumont said making the right decision was important and not the speed at which the decision was made.

Councillor Deering said that the Section 151 Officer was retiring at the end of the year and said he would like to thank him for his service.

The motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That (A) the appointment of Helen Standen to the role of Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service for a period of up to 18 months be ratified.

(b) Helen Standen be appointed as the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer for up to 18 months.