Further to minute 33 ante, the Committee considered the details of the Chief Executive’s report on Interim Management Arrangements.

He responded to a number of comments from Members on the details contained within the report and appendices and assured the Committee that he had spoken to those officers referred to in the report, who were currently out of the country and that they were aware of the recommendations. Considerable care had been taken in making the recommendations, all of which were consistent with the Council’s own internal processes.

The Chief Executive also spoke of his admiration for the work of David Armstrong in his role as Interim Director of Children’s Services and paid tribute to the successful way in which he was running the department.

Councillor McArdle moved the 14 recommendations in the Chief Executive’s report and this was seconded by Councillor Foulkes.

The Committee then considered and voted upon each recommendation in turn, and it was –

Resolved -

(1) (5:3) That the Director of Finance be appointed as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance for a fixed period until the end of April 2012, and that for the time being Corporate Performance Management be placed under the Deputy Chief Executive.

(2) (8:0) That the Cabinet Committee be asked to consider the creation of a dedicated Policy Unit working directly to the Chief Executive, and the creation of a new post of Head of Policy Unit.

(3) (5:4 on the Chair’s casting vote) That the post holder of Interim Head of Corporate Planning, Engagement and Communications be assigned to a newly designated post of Head of Communications and Community Engagement with the responsibilities set out in paragraph 5.9 of the report.

(4) (5:3) That the posts of Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning; Head of Strategic Development and Regeneration and Head of Housing be established on a permanent basis and that an appropriate recruitment process to fill these posts be commenced.

(5) (8:0) That the post of Head of Personal Support in the Department of Adult Social Services be established on a permanent basis and the current post holder be appointed (see minutes 32 and 35 ante).

(6) (8:0) That the post of Head of Joint Adults and Children’s Safeguarding be established on a permanent basis and that the current post holder be assimilated into this post (see minutes 32 and 35 ante).

(7) (5:3) That the post of Head of Finance and Performance in the Department of Adult Social Services be established on a permanent basis, and that a recruitment process to fill the post is commenced.

(8) (8:0) That the Interim Director of Children’s Services be asked to continue as the Acting Director of Children’s Services for a further year on a fixed term basis, and that an external  recruitment process takes place to ensure that a new Director of Children’s Services is in post by the end of September 2012.

(9) (8:0) On the new Director of Children’s Services taking up post, the current Interim Director of Children’s Services be assigned to a new post of Deputy Director until his retirement, to provide support to the new Director.

(10) (5:3) To support the Acting Director of Children’s Services it is recommended that the two current Heads of Service act as Deputy Directors until the end of September 2012 when this will be reviewed.

(11) (5:4 on the Chair’s casting vote) That responsibility for the Strategic Change Programme be transferred to the Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Finance and that the post of Head of Technical Services, be re- designated as the Deputy Director of Technical Services, to provide the necessary support to the Director on a permanent basis.

(12) (5:3) That the appointment or assignment of current employees be agreed as outlined in the Exempt Appendix One.

(13) (8:0) That the former posts no longer required are deleted or changed on the establishment as outlined in the Exempt Appendix Two.

(14) (5:3) That to move the external recruitment process forward, the Chief Executive be given delegated responsibility to engage external recruitment consultants at a maximum cost of £15,000 per job, plus external advertisement costs. The Chief Executive report back with a timetable for recruitment at the earliest possible opportunity.