Agenda item

Extension of Interim Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service)

The Director of Workforce & Change introduced the report for the extension of interim Chief Executive which was for the Committee to approve the terms and conditions for the extension of the appointment of Stephen Peacock as Interim Chief Executive to 31 December 2024.

·       It was noted that there had been an error in the date in the report at point number 7 which should read as follows: “On 11 August 2022 the Human Resources Committee agreed the terms and conditions for this appointment.”

·       The current contract would end on 30^th June 2024 which was initially agreed to ensure there would be stability in the organisation for the remainder of the Mayoral term, leaving the decision on future arrangements to the new committee system.

·       To seek a political steer for the plans beyond June 24, at the Mayor’s suggestion, the Director: Workforce and Change and   the Monitoring Officer  met with the party group leaders who indicated that rather than starting a recruitment process in the lead up to an election, consideration be given to commence the recruitment in June/July next year.  To give time for the recruitment process to run and to allow for any notice period, they have also requested consideration given to extending the existing interim contract by 6 months to 31 December 2024. –All other  terms and conditions of the contract would remain.

·       A meeting of the Selection Committee had taken place on 13^th July 2023 where the contract extension was agreed, and the next step was for the Human Resources to Committee approve the terms and conditions of the contract which would remain the same, which would be followed by consideration at Full Council in September.

·       It was noted that the terms and conditions for the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive would be debated at a future HR Committee meeting.

Members agreed this approach and therefore it was:

Resolved; that the Committee approved the terms and conditions for the extension of the appointment of Stephen Peacock as Interim Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) to 31 December 2024.

Appointment of Denise Murray as the Government’s Finance Commissioner for Slough Borough Council

The Director of Workforce & Change introduced the report which was brought to the Committee for noting.

·       Denise Murray, Director of Finance and S.151 Officer, was appointed to the role of Government’s Finance Commissioner for Slough Borough Council from May 2023 until November 2024 for up to 3 days per week.

·       During this time Denise will continue her role at Bristol City Council with the support from the Head of Financial Management (Deputy s151officer), Chief Internal Auditor, Head of Revenues and Benefits, Head of Procurement and Contract Management, and a new permanent Head of Strategic Finance who commenced in May 2023.

·       Slough Borough Council will be subject to a fee payable to Bristol City Council which would be used for backfilling.

·       Cllr Wye asked for costings around this, and officers advised that they would come back to the Committee with further information around fees. SG/JB Action.

Resolved; That the Committee noted the arrangements in relation to the appointment of Denise Murray as the Government’s Finance Commissioner for Slough Borough Council.

Resignation of Executive Director of Children and Education

The Director of Workforce and Change noted that there had been some queries from Members around the resignation of the Executive Director of Children and Education, Abi Gbago. Whist they were unable to speak to Abi’s personal views, they noted that she was sorry to be leaving so soon but she had always had an aspiration to become a Chief Executive when the opportunity arose.

Discussion points are as follows:

·       The organisation would be looking at interim arrangements but, in the meantime, there were two permanent Directors who will continue working with the service whilst recruitment options are explored.

·       Members raised concerns around previous recruitment as there had been occasions where only one person was interviewed for a role.

·       Members raised concerns around the reputation of the Council and role of a director if they are leaving so soon. It was suggested that the council specifies with the recruitment agencies about them finding out how long candidates would be planning to stay in the role.