Issue - meetings

To consider delegating authority, as appropriate, to permit conclusion of the secondment agreement between Redditch and Bromsgrove Councils in respect of the Acting Joint Chief Executive arrangements.

(Report attached)

The Council received a report that sought authority to enter into a secondment agreement for an Acting Joint Chief Executive. The Council had previously agreed to share the full costs of the post of Joint Chief Executive and a draft Secondment Agreement prepared which reflected that arrangement.

Concern was expressed that the two authorities would not be bearing the appropriate levels of cost under the arrangement. It was suggested that, under certain circumstances, the Council would benefit from having a more favourable financial guarantee in place.

It was noted that the risks, rewards, financial input and decision making in respect of this post had been divided equally between the two authorities to date. The decision to appoint the present Acting Joint Chief Executive in part reflected the reality of obtaining the best possible candidate for a short, finite period. The revenue implications of changing course at the end of the 12 month period were considered to be fair and reasonable for the Council to bear.

RESOLVED that

authority be delegated to the Head of Legal, Democratic and Property Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the terms of and enter into a secondment agreement with Bromsgrove District Council for the secondment of Kevin Dicks to Redditch Borough Council to enable him to perform the role of Acting Joint Chief Executive.

(The printed recommendation in respect of the secondment agreement was the subject of the following named vote in accordance with Standing Order 16:

Members voting FOR the motion:

Councillors Anderson, Banks, Boyd-Carpenter, Braley, Chalk, A Clayton, B Clayton, Enderby, Farooqui, Field, Gandy, Hall, Hicks, MacMillan, Norton, Pearce, Quinney, Smith and Thomas.

(19 votes)

Members voting AGAINST the motion:

Councillors Cookson, Fry, Hartnett, Hunt, R King, W King, Mould, Shurmer and Taylor.

(9 votes)

Members Abstaining from Voting:

None.

Accordingly, the Motion was carried)

(Prior to consideration of this item, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000, Kevin Dicks, Acting Joint Chief Executive, declared a personal and prejudicial interest, in view of the fact that the matter under discussion was the terms and conditions of his employment by the Council, and withdrew from the meeting.)