Agenda item

This report invites the Council to approve new appointments to Chief Officer posts in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements.

Details of the recommended candidates will follow as an exempt submission.  Further detail is outlined within this report.

The Leader of the Council presented a report on Chief Officer Appointments for BCP Council, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report invited the Council to approve new appointments to Chief Officer posts in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements.

Councillor Mellor reported that Kate Ryan, Chief Operations Officer who had been a fantastic servant for Borough of Poole Council for a number of years, had delivered a safe landing in her role for BCP Council and in her current role would be leaving the Council.  He highlighted that Kate had been an exemplar officer and congratulated her on her new role as Chief Executive at New Forest District Council.  He formally wished to place on record the thanks of the Chamber to Kate for her service to both Borough of Poole Council and BCP Council.

Members were advised of the recruitment process and the calibre of the candidates for both the Chief Operations Officer and Corporate Director of Children’s Services.  Councillor Mellor reported that the Panel was able to unanimously agree cross party with the preferred candidates for both roles that were selected.  He also highlighted that the report included a recommendation for Kelly Ansell to act up in the position of Chief Operations Officer until Jess Gibbons can commence her employment.  Councillor Nicola Greene seconded the recommendations and in doing so thanked Councillors Moore, Bartlett and Slade for their contribution to the recruitment process.

Councillor Evans referred to senior officers leaving the Council. She indicated that there had been comments on the calibre of candidates and asked if any members of the recruitment panel would comment on the number of candidates and why this was such a small amount for a large authority. 

Councillor Wilson reported that he was involved in the early part of the process and felt that the calibre of candidates was very good.  He wanted to place on record his thanks to Kate Ryan as he had started very inexperienced in his role as a portfolio holder, and he felt that she had not only made him a better portfolio holder but also a better person.  He referred to personal issues that he had been dealing with which Kate had supported him with.

Councillor Moore reported that she was a member of the interview panel for the Director of Children’s Services, and she was happy to support the appointment of Cathi who was experienced and well qualified. In addition, she felt it would be good for everyone to have a permanent Director.  Councillor Hadley echoed the comments from the Leader and other Members about Kate Ryan who would be an enormous loss to the authority, and he wished her well.  He also reported that he was no relation, that he was aware of, to Cathi Hadley.

Councillor Mellor in summing up referred to the reference made to senior officers leaving the Council.  He emphasised that the staff movement in and out of the authority was normal.  Councillor Mellor reported that there were 16 people on the long list for the Chief Operations Officer reduced to 6 and 4 were interviewed which was a normal process. 

RESOLVED that Council approve the following appointments in accordance with the requirements of the BCP Constitution:-

· Cathi Hadley is appointed to the post of Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

· Jess Gibbons is appointed as Chief Operations Officer.

· Kelly Ansell, Director of Communities is appointed to act up in the position of Chief Operations Officer until Jess Gibbons can commence her employment with BCP Council.

Voting: Unanimous