Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed those present and explained the procedure for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Powell, Councillor Loydall, Parisha Chavda and Salma Manzoor.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they have in the business on the agenda.

Members were asked to disclose any pecuniary or other interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

There were no such declarations.

Following notification from the Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint his preferred candidate Mr Andy Champness to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Following notification from the Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint a preferred candidate, Mr Andy Champness to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer the Panel held a Confirmation Hearing in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

The Panel received a report setting out the powers of the Panel and the process to be followed in the Confirmation Hearing.

The Panel noted the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner relating to the appointment of the Interim Chief Executive Officer which included:

·         The name of the preferred candidate and his experience/background;

·         A statement from the Commissioner stating why the preferred candidate met the criterial of the role;

·         The candidates CV (exempt)

·         A job description

The Police and Crime Commissioner addressed the panel and gave an overview of the process followed to select his preferred candidate and stating why the preferred candidate met the criteria for the role.

The Police and Crime Commissioner commended Mr Andy Champness to the Panel.

The Panel asked the Police and Crime Commissioner several questions, this included seeking assurance as to the fairness and transparency of the approach taken to this appointment as well as the position regarding a permanent appointment.

The Police and Crime Commissioner advised that the recruitment process had begun for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and the advert for that position would be live imminently.

The Police and Crime Commissioner also advised that, if successful, the preferred candidate Mr Andy Champness would be working on a reduced hours basis and gave assurance that considerations had been given to how he would meet the expectations and responsibilities of the Interim Chief Executive Officer role until a new permanent appointment and handover to that person was completed.

The Panel then asked a series of robust questions of the candidate related to his professional competence and personal independence, the answers to which enabled Members to evaluate his suitability for the role. At the end of questioning the Chair thanked the candidate for his responses and provided an opportunity to clarify any responses given.

The Chair announced that the Panel’s resolution would be notified to the Police and Crime Commissioner and confirmed in writing as specified by relevant legislation.

The Chair then asked all but Members of the Panel and the Panel’s support officers to withdraw from the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the press and members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the Panel’s deliberations on the grounds their presence would likely involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Panel members to discuss the proposed appointment to the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer and to agree their decision and recommendations to the Police and Crime Commissioner.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during this item of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as contained within Paragraphs 1, and 3 of Part 1 Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, being information relating to any individual or information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and, further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

While there may be a public interest in disclosing the information namely openness in the deliberations of the Panel in determining its recommendations regarding the proposed appointment, it is felt that, on balance, this is outweighed by other factors in favour of maintaining the exemption, namely enabling full discussion regarding the merits of the proposed appointment.

The Panel held exempt discussions which examined the evidence provided in the Confirmation Hearing session.

The Panel assessed the candidates ability based upon his suitability to undertake the interim role only, coming as it did after a series of other interim appointments, and being focused upon providing stability to the OPCC in the transition to the imminent appointment of a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

Members commented on the candidates experience working in senior roles including supporting other Police and Crime Commissioner’s and the expectations about what he needed to deliver during his tenure. Members noted in particular his experience of change and project management and his comments about the organisation of the OPCC and ensuring its smooth running before the permanent post holder takes over. Members noted the candidates responses reflected that he envisaged this role as being for a very short term and that his priorities were focused upon making sure that all the basics were working smoothly before handing over to someone else.

Members felt the candidate had the capacity to undertake the interim role and met the minimum standards of professional competence and personal independence required for the interim role.

On the basis of the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the candidates responses to robust and varied questioning and the discussions during deliberations the Panel unanimously supported the recommendation to appoint.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed appointment of the candidate, Mr Andy Champness be supported,

2.    That if a permanent postholder is not in place by the Panel meeting on Thursday 22^nd June 2023, a report should be submitted to that meeting providing an update on the recruitment process.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.13am.