To make arrangements to appoint substantively to the director for adults and communities which is currently being filled on an interim basis.

The chief executive introduced the item.

It was noted that the report sought the approval of the employment panel to commence the permanent recruitment for the role of director of adults and communities (formerly called director of adults and wellbeing).    The chief executive explained that details of the changes to the structure of the council were notified to all councillors during August 2018. 

It was noted that the use of major recruitment companies for past director appointments had not always been successful.   The head of HR and organisational development explained that there were indications that there would be candidates available for this role and on this occasion it was felt that Hoople would deliver a successful recruitment campaign. 

The panel agreed that recommendation (c) would be amended so that the cabinet member for health and wellbeing would undertake the shortlisting of candidates with the chief executive.   This ensured that the cabinet member for health and wellbeing was involved in the recruitment process.   It was noted that the only other way that the cabinet member could be involved in the recruitment process was to act as substitute for a member of the employment panel when they interviewed the candidate.  

Following a detailed discussion, it was agreed that role profile would be amended on page 16 of the agenda pack, number 6 to insert the words “parish councils and third sector bodies”.  

RESOLVED:

(a)    Employment panel makes arrangements for the post of director for adults and communities to be advertised;

(b)   Employment panel agrees the role profile at appendix 1 for the post of director for adults and communities and all other terms and conditions associated with the post remain the same;

(c)    the panel delegates authority to the chief executive to, following consultation with the cabinet member health and wellbeing, undertake the shortlisting; and

(d)   in the event that recruitment is not successfully completed by the end of March 2019 the current acting director continues in post until a substantive appointment is made.