The Assistant Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced the report of the Chief Executive which set out a number of proposed changes to the Council’s Chief Officer structure and proposals to recruit to a number of posts at Director level.

The Chief Executive emphasised that this report was built on the recommendations of the CIPFA report, and a further report would be brought to the committee in Autumn 2022 regarding the Director of Resources role.

Members sought clarity on the timescales for appointments and queried whether there was sufficient capacity within the directorates to cover the vacancies, particularly in Regeneration and Place as the local plan was due to be examined in public in January.

The Committee expressed its best wishes for the retiring Directors.

Resolved – That

(1)the establishment of a new post of Director of Finance (and S151 officer) at grade D1 and commence recruitment to that post be approved.

(2)  the intention to commence the recruitment process to the post of Director of Regeneration and Place, at the current grade of D1 be noted, following the resignation of the current postholder.

(3)  the intention for the current Assistant Director: Chief Regeneration Officer to act up on a temporary basis be noted.

(4)  the intention to commence the recruitment process to the post of Director of Law and Governance (and Monitoring Officer), at a broader grade range of D1 and D2 be noted, following the resignation of the current postholder.

(5)  the intention to recruit to an interim Director of Law and Governance, subject to identification of a suitable candidate, to provide cover during the period of the recruitment process be noted.

(6)   the intention for the Chief Executive to bring a further report in the autumn of 2022 setting out a restructure at Chief Officer level be noted.