Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all to the Committee Meeting and proceeded to

Agenda.

Apologies for absences were received from County Borough Councillors E. L. Watts, A. Morgan OBE and S. Evans.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.    Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.  Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Appointments Committee held on 18^th December 2024.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 18^th December 2024 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended) for the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended) for the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

20.1    Members were advised of recent changes to the Legal Services Senior Management Team following a restructure agreed by Cabinet on the 20^th November 2024, and following consideration of the report, it was RESOLVED to note that:

(1)          the revised directorate structure shown at Appendix 2(i), will be implemented from 1^St April 2025.

(2)          Implementation of these revised structures will provide an estimated reduction in annual management costs of £70,000 (inclusive of on-costs);

(3)          emanating from the revised directorate structures outlined in 2.1.1, Cabinet authorised the amendment of the following post:

                                                 i.         the creation of a second post of Service Director – Legal Services (Service Director Level 2);

(4)          to note that the two Service Director – Legal Services posts will have the following areas aligned to the individual posts:

Service Director – Legal Services (Community & Childrens, Litigation and Education); and

Service Director – Legal Services (Corporate, Planning & Frontline Services and Business Support)

(5)      It is recommended that the Appointments Committee: - 

(6)          In accordance with the Council’s change management process, determine to formally interview Ms. Cara Miles for the post of Service Director – Legal Services (Community & Childrens, Litigation and Education) (Service Director Level 2) and if such a determination is made to undertake an interview at the meeting;

(7)          In accordance with the Council’s change management process, determine to formally interview Mr. Simon Humphreys for the post of Service Director – Legal Services (Corporate, Planning & Frontline Services and Business Support) (Service Director Level 2) and if such a determination is made to undertake an interview at the meeting;

(8)          Formally resolve to delete (at the appropriate time outlined in the report) the following posts from the Council’s structure:

                                                 i.         Head of Legal Services (HofS Level 1)

                                                ii.         Head of Legal Services - Community & Children’s (HofS Level 2)

                                               iii.         Head of Community & Welsh Language Services (HofS Level 2)

(9)          Note that consequential changes will be required to the Council’s Constitution as a result of implementation of the above initiatives which will need Full Council’s approval.

20.2       The interviews took place with each candidate, and following a   

thorough assessment, the Appointment Committee unanimously RESOLVED to:

1)    Appoint Ms. Cara Miles to the post of Service Director – Legal Services (Community & Childrens, Litigation and Education) (Service Director Level 2), effective from 01/04/25.

2)    Appoint Mr. Simon Humphreys for the post of Service Director – Legal Services (Corporate, Planning & Frontline Services and Business Support) (Service Director Level 2), effective from 01/04/25.