Issue - meetings

In accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, by reason of special circumstances, the Mayor is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

Following the recent resignation of the current Section 151 Officer and the current interim nature of the Director of Corporate Resources this report is to ask Council to support the decision to have the current post holder continue in their role until such time as a new combined Director of Corporate Services/Section 151 Officer is explored and the permanent post/s taken up by the successful candidate(s).

The recruitment process for the new Section 151 Officer will take continue past the leaving date of the current postholder and, as the Council cannot legally operate without this statutory officer post, Council are also asked to approve the engagement of an Interim Section 151 Officer until the new role is filled and the successful candidate arrives.

The Council received a report informing it of the recent resignation of the current Section 151 Officer and the current interim nature of the Director of Corporate Resources. The report asked the Council to support the decision to have the current post holder continue in their role until such time as a new combined Director of Corporate Services/Section 151 Officer is explored and the permanent post/s taken up by the successful candidate(s).

In accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, by reason of special circumstances, the Mayor informed the Council that he was of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, as the Council was legally required to appoint a Section 151 Officer.

Councillor Neil Dallen MOVED and Councillor Julie Morris SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

Amendment

a)            Amendment to Recommendation 1. Councillor Neil Dallen PROPOSED and Councillor John Beckett SECONDED the following amendment. That the wording of recommendation 1 be amended to:

“Note the extension of the appointment of the current Interim Director of Corporate Services in post, until such time as a new permanent Director of Corporate Services/Section 151 Officer is appointed and commences in post.”

Upon being put the amendment was CARRIED by majority vote.

Debate

a)            Thanks to Section 151 Officer. A member of the Council expressed their thanks to the Council’s current Section 151 Officer, Brendan Bradley, for his diligent service and advice to the Council, wishing him well in the future. It was requested that this be noted in the Minutes.

Following consideration of the above matters, the Council voted upon the recommendations of the report. The recommendations as amended were CARRIED by majority vote.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)      Note the extension of the appointment of the current Interim Director of Corporate Services in post, until such time as a new permanent Director of Corporate Services/Section 151 Officer is appointed and commences in post.

(2)      Agree to appoint an Interim Section 151 Officer from one month prior to the leaving date of the current postholder and for them to remain in post until such time as a new permanent Director of Corporate Services/Section 151 Officer is appointed and commences in post.