Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Atherstone and Flynn.

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive – TO FOLLOW

The Chief Executive introduced the report which was requesting the approval of interim arrangements to cover the imminent departures of two senior managers from the organisation and requested a regrading of a senior development manager post in the major developments and construction team to ensure the team was strong enough to deliver the administration’s capital ambitions.

He provided the context for the request for interim arrangements. It takes time to recruit to senior posts and it was important there continued to be flexibility to ensure the authority had the right capacity to deliver its corporate priorities and good services to residents. He highlighted that this review is timely since the recent LGA Peer review recommended a review of the climate pathway –to ensure the council was extending on the existing one including the delivery of more measurable targets. Additionally, the council was recommended to consider closer partnership working as well as delivering cultural improvements by bringing Human Resources back in house. The full Peer Review report had not yet been received but this did provide a timely opportunity to ensure any senior level posts we chose to recruit to are the correct ones.

The Chief Executive reminded Members that the organisational review was in 2 phases. Phase 1 was completed last year and phase 2 had evolved significantly.  Interim resourcing of these posts could potentially mean 1 or more people to cover specific projects/specialisms as required and he gave the example of the climate change programme.

In terms of the regrading of the senior development manager position it was important to continue to strengthen and build the team to ensure that the right capabilities and skills were in place around major development and regeneration. There had been a significant shift from generic project resource to a specialist capital and construction team in place. The team should continue to grow with future recruitments since it now has a broader remit than the Golden Valley project.

The following responses were given to Member questions :

• The authority had a strong senior leadership team and whilst the vacancy could be a development opportunity for an existing employee, it was a question of managing existing workload so not to place too much pressure on any individual. It was not necessarily a direct replacement but could be a part time resource to support a specific project as previously mentioned.
• At the suggestion of a member, certain job titles in the major development team would be reflected upon to ensure there was no blurring of lines with the development control/planning function of the authority. Any changes would be reported back to this committee.
• The shared communications function with Cheltenham Borough Homes evolved to capitalise on the specialisms in the existing teams The council had moved away from the traditional communications model recognising that in the digital era a completely different skillset was now required. The challenge of the peer review was to reflect on whether we are maximising these shared skills and capabilities and avoiding duplication  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee is recommended to approve the following resolution:

 “That in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items of business as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1, Part 1, Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972, namely:

·         Paragraph 1; Information relating to any individual.

·         Paragraph 3; Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

RESOLVED THAT

“in accordance with Section 100A(4) Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items of business as it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the public are present there will be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph 1, Part 1, Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972, namely:

·         Paragraph 1; Information relating to any individual.

·         Paragraph 3; Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To approve the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

None.

TBA

TBA