Shella Smith, Assistant Director of HR and Organisational Development, submitted a report that detailed the process that would be followed to appoint a new Chief Executive following the announcement that Peter Sloman would retire on 31 August 2022.  It also proposed the interim arrangements that would be put in place until a new Chief Executive joined the Council.

The report sought agreement to an executive search company being engaged to assist with the appointment of a new Chief Executive and set out an indicative appointment process and timetable.

The report also explained that whilst the appointment process for a new Chief Executive was underway, the Deputy Chief Executive would act up as Interim Chief Executive.  Under Article 12 of the Constitution, the Deputy Chief Executive was already designated as Deputy Head of Paid Service and performed all the duties and responsibilities of the Head of Paid Service when they were not available.  This would commence from 19 July 2022, the day after the Chief Executive’s last working day.

The report stated that the intention was to appoint an Interim Executive Director of Resources to lead and manage the Council’s Resources functions which included Finance, Customer Services and Corporate Improvement, HR and Organisational Development, IT and Digital, Legal and Democratic Services, and Procurements and Contracts during this period.  This appointment would be carried out by the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chair of Personnel Committee, with a view to the role starting as close as possible to 19 July 2022.

Resolved –

(1)      That the selection process and indicative timetable for appointing a new Chief Executive be noted;

(2)      That the Assistant Director of HR and Organisational Development, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Personnel Committee, be authorised to appoint an executive search company to support the appointment of a new Chief Executive;

(3)      That the Deputy Chief Executive and Deputy Head of Paid Service act as the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service from 19 July 2022 until a new Chief Executive took up the role;

(4)      That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Personnel Committee, be authorised to appoint an Interim Executive Director of Resources.