The second matter requiring approval was in relation to recruitment to Chief Officer posts and structure changes as considered and recommended by the Employment and Appointments Committee at its meeting on 27 June, 2017 (minute 3 refers).

The motion was formally moved and seconded by Councillors Phil Davies and George Davies.

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

Amendment 1

Proposed by Councillor Leslie Rennie

Seconded by Councillor Chris Blakeley

“The Conservative Group do not support the premise that any officer of this Council is paid more than the Prime Minister.

We also believe that any restructure of the senior leadership team of this Council should result in a reduction in the number of Chief Officers and a decrease in costs to the Taxpayers. The net effect of all the recommendations voted through by Labour Councillors at the Employment and Appointments Committee on the 27th June 2017 is the retention of the same number of Chief Officer posts and additional costs to the Taxpayer of £120,284.

We therefore propose the following amendment:

(2) Amend the Council’s Chief Officer pay scales, as set out in the Council’s Pay Policy, to incorporate a maximum cap on the proposed salary for the Director for Children’s Services which is less than the Prime Minister’s salary.

(3) Request the Chief Executive to scrap/reconsider his proposal to create a new Director for Strategy and Partnerships (salary £103,606-115,117 plus employer costs).”

Amendment 2

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

“Delete section (2) and replace with:

Council believes that the Employment and Appointments Committee should rethink its approach on the issue of increasing the highest salaries to attract senior officers. Council, therefore, declines to accede to the request for the scale for the Director of Children at SD2 with the suggested range £140-£155K.

Council is also concerned at the pattern that has emerged in recent years. This may reflect the experience of some councils but the system has resulted in a veritable pageant of interims on substantial daily rates.

Council regrets that the promised ‘new leadership behaviours and expectations’ set out in the Corporate Plan 2013-2016 failed to bring results in key areas.  Council recalls this promise that ‘a new Performance Appraisal and Development programme has commenced which starts with the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors, Directors and Heads of Service’ but this, apparently, did not address the structural issues at the most senior levels.”

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, a vote was taken on amendment 2.

The amendment was put and lost (25:35) (One abstention).

Amendment 1 was then put and prior to the vote being taken Councillor Blakeley and five Conservative Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on amendment 1 and the Council divided as follows:

For the amendment (24) Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, A Brighouse, D Burgess-Joyce, C Carubia, Mrs W Clements, D Elderton, G Ellis, P Gilchrist, P Hayes, A Hodson, K Hodson, S Kelly, I Lewis, D Mitchell, T Pilgrim, C Povall, L Rennie, L Rowlands, A Sykes, GCJ Watt and S Williams.

Against the amendment (36) Councillors R Abbey, P Brightmore, P Cleary, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Hackett, T Johnson, AER Jones, C Jones, T Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, J McManus, C Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, M Patrick,  D Realey, L Reecejones, P A Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, P Stuart, M Sullivan, T Usher, W Ward, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, J Williamson and G Wood.

One abstention – Councillor A McLachlan.

The motion was then put and carried (35:25) (One abstention)

Resolved (35:25) (One abstention) – That the recommendations contained within minute 3 of the Employment and Appointments Committee, be approved as follows:

(1)  Authority be delegated to the Employment and Appointments Committee and its Appointment Panels to formally agree and confirm the appointment of all the posts specified in paragraph 2.2 of the Chief Executive’s report.

(2)  The Council’s Chief Officer pay scales, as set out in the Council’s Pay Policy, be amended to incorporate the proposed salary for the Director for Children’s Services post.