Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 February 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020 (copies of which had been circulated) were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during the consideration of Agenda Item 5 – ‘Senior Leadership Arrangements (Appointment of Corporate Directors)’  and Agenda Item 6 – ‘Senior Leadership Arrangements (Recruitment of Chief Executive)’ which contain information ‘not for publication’ by virtue of Paragraph 1 ‘Information relating to an individual’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual, the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 5 – ‘Senior Leadership Arrangements (Appointment of Corporate Directors)’ and Agenda Item 6 – ‘Senior Leadership Arrangements (Recruitment of Chief Executive)’.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on proposals that address risk and succession planning in the Council’s senior leadership arrangements.

RESOLVED – (1) That progress in continuing to plan for a strong and resilient senior corporate leadership team that supports Stockport’s ambition for the Borough and its residents be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the establishment of the post of Service Director for Stockport Family enabling a competitive recruitment process to commence at pace as part of the succession planning of the departing postholder.

(3) That the intention to designate the Director of Adult Social Care and Director of Children’s Services posts as Corporate Directors be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on proposals that address risk and succession planning in the Council’s senior leadership arrangements with specific reference to the recruitment of a replacement chief executive.

RESOLVED – (1) That the resignation of the current Chief Executive with effect from 7 October 2021 be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the recruitment and appointment of a replacement chief executive officer with consideration to the draft timescales outlined in this paper, including the proposed timescales.

(3) That it be noted that the recruitment process would include appointed consultants reviewing the draft job description to ensure a sharp focus on the Council’s values and priorities.

(4) That appropriate arrangements be made to create stakeholder panels to support the final interview process, representative of the Council’s workforce, its partners and communities.

(5) That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the appointment of the Leader of the Independent Ratepayers Group as a further member of the Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

(6) That it be noted that consideration will be given to any necessary interim arrangements when it meets to consider the long list of candidates.

(7) That the Chief Executive be requested to make any necessary arrangements for the approval of any appointment to be made by the Council Meeting including where necessary the convening of an extraordinary Council Meeting.