Members of the Council are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest, in connection with any matter to be debated or determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

The Members of the Council were invited to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any matters to be determined at this meeting and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

No such declarations were made.

Procedural matter

It was moved by Councillor B Kenny and duly seconded, that - “Standing Order 9 (meeting guillotine) be applied from 6.15pm.”

The motion was put and carried (35:23) (One abstention).

Resolved – That Standing Order 9 be applied from 6:15pm.

NB.  The following Councillors requested that their objections be recorded:

Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, D Burgess-Joyce, W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, J Green, P Hayes, AC Hodson, K Hodson, I Lewis, L Rennie, L Rowlands, A Sykes, GCJ Watt and S Williams.

To receive the Civic Mayor's announcements and any apologies for absence.

The Civic Mayor noted that apologies had been received from Councillors John Hale, Moira McLaughlin, Tracey Pilgrim, Cherry Povall, Denise Realey and Joe Walsh.

Councillor Povall arrived after commencement of the meeting (5:55pm).

Proposed by Councillor Ian Lewis

Seconded by Councillor Lesley Rennie

Council is disappointed to note that Cabinet was unwilling to allow the creation of the post of Investor Development Manager to be subject to scrutiny by the appropriate Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Council further notes that the creation of this position did not appear in the Chief Executive’s latest restructure of senior management, the much-vaunted ‘New Operating Model’.

At a time when budgets, particularly for the employment of council staff, are under pressure, Council believes that the creation of such a well-paid and senior position requires clear explanation, justification and scrutiny, all of which have been denied by the manner of this appointment.

Further, Council believes that those at the top of the Authority should lead by example and ensure that all appointments are made, and seen to be made, on merit.

Amendment

An amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Chris Carubia

Insert after paragraph three:

Council considers that, given the sensitivity of this post and the understandable public concern, there is a need for an independent review of the recruitment process. This should include a review of all documentation relating to the appointment, both the original and later amendments. As part of this process, no material currently held shall be deleted or sifted and shall be made available for that study.

Council requests that the Local Government Association should be approached to appoint an independent person to review all documentation, in both paper and electronic format. The subsequent report on their findings and recommendations shall be published and made public.

Officers be requested to make arrangements for this as a matter of urgency.

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Following a debate and Councillor Lewis having replied, the amendment was then put and lost (25:34) (One abstention).

The original motion was then put and lost (25:34) (One abstention).