Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary and / or any other relevant interest, in connection with the item on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Panel were requested to declare whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in the item on this agenda and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.

No such declarations were made.

The public may be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.

RECOMMENDATION – That in accordance with section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The public interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor George Davies it was -

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

To decide upon a shortlist of candidates for this post.

The Chair welcomed Amanda Riley from the recruitment consultants, Penna, she informed the Committee that of the eight candidates long listed, two had since withdrawn and so six candidates were seen for technical assessment.

Out of the six candidates assessed, Penna was recommending only one for interview.

The Chair expressed disappointment that out of eight candidates short listed only one was recommended for interview. Members expressed their concerns at the prospect of just interviewing one candidate.

Amanda Riley informed the meeting that a further search could be undertaken which would delay the recruitment process by a minimum of one month and that this would have to be a completely fresh search. The candidate recommended for interview would be informed of the delay and that they would still be put forward for interview, should this approach be agreed.

On a motion by the Chair, duly seconded, it was –

Resolved – That Penna be requested to carry out a further focussed search for any other candidates who may apply for the post and the recruitment process be delayed until this has happened.