No apologies for absence were received.

To receive details of any member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a member of the panel.

There were no named substitutes.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To agree the contract for the temporary Corporate Director, Children and Young People.

The Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development (DHROD) introduced the report and the following points were highlighted:

1. The contract for the temporary Corporate Director, Children and Young People was due to expire at the end of March 2025.
2. It was anticipated that the council would be initiating the permanent recruitment process which would lead to a new corporate director starting in April 2025.
3. Given the early success of the appointment it was proposed that Tina Russell was offered a contract extension until 30 June 2025 in the first instance with any decisions of further extensions up until 31 December 2025 delegated to the Chief Executive.
4. For the avoidance of doubt, it was noted that any decisions about permanent appointments to the post, remained delegated to employment panel.

The panel were supportive of extending the contract but agreed that following constitutional changes made at full council the decision should remain with the employment panel.

RESOLVED:

a)    The contract with Tina Russell as Corporate Director, Children and Young People is extended until 31 December 2025.