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Agenda item

Interim Support for Senior Management Team - Leader

To consider report CE11/19 from the Chief Executive which is attached and which seeks to updates the Executive on action the Chief Executive has taken in relation to bringing in interim capacity and support to the Council’s senior management team.

 

RECOMMENDATION that Executive notes the two interim arrangements which have been set up.

Minutes:

Members considered report CE11/19 from the Chief Executive which sought to update the Executive on action the Chief Executive has taken in relation to bringing in interim capacity and support to the Council’s senior management team.

 

The Leader confirmed that the confidential Appendix B attached to this report would be discussed as an open public item.

 

In accordance with Rule 5a of the Executive Procedure Rules Councillor Nicolson asked a series of questions.

 

Councillor Nicolson requested the specific reference within the Constitution which allows the Chief Executive to appoint consultants.

 

The Leader responded that the Chief Executive has power to issue orders and accept tenders for services provide compliance is made with all the relevant Accounting and Audit Rules and Procurement Rules of the Council under paragraph 6 schedule 2 of the constitution paragraph b) i) (8).

 

Councillor Nicolson queried why the assignments were not formally the subject of a competitive tender, given that the cost of employing the two consultants was in excess of the threshold for a key decision within the Council.

 

The Leader responded that with regard to the Strategic Adviser People and Places a competitive exercise was carried out as referred to in paragraph 8.2.3 of the report. The rationale for the process with regard to the Strategic Adviser Transformation and Customers was set out at para 8.2.4 of the report.

 

Councillor Nicolson asked why the HR and Appeals Committee had not been involved in the consideration for the appointment of the Strategic Adviser People and Place and the Senior Adviser Transformation and Customers.

 

The Leader responded that this related to contracts for an adviser rather than a person with delegated powers. It was therefore a matter which lies within the powers of the Executive rather than HR and Appeals Committee.  She stated that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the HR and Appeals Committee had been consulted.

 

Councillor Nicolson asked for details of what other costs were included in the £99,800 and the agreed daily rates for the consultants.

 

The Leader responded that the costs were as stated within the reports at para 8.1.1. It was not appropriate to provide any further details.

 

Councillor Nicolson asked what arrangements would be made for the Strategic Adviser People and Place to consult with the Directors of Heart of Cumbria Ltd before recommendations on future arrangements are made.

 

The Leader responded that it was envisaged that the Strategic Adviser would consult with the board of Heart of Cumbria, the precise details of how that would take place were a matter for discussion between the Board and the Adviser.

 

The Leader confirmed that written answers would be provided for all the questions asked by Councillor Nicolson.

 

Councillor Eyles asked whether the Heart of Cumbria would become subject to scrutiny by one of the Scrutiny Committees.

 

The Leader responded that priorities for Scrutiny were determined by the Scrutiny Co-Ordinating Board and not the Executive.

 

Proposed by Councillor Greenwood

Seconded by Councillor Rudhall

 

and RESOLVED that Executive noted the two interim arrangements which had been set up and the associated means of selection.

 

Reason: The external capacity will bring much needed drive and capacity to a number of key corporate priorities and enable swift progress to be made on a range of urgent and pressing projects.

Supporting documents: