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 declare 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 Ms Kira Hughes to the role of Interim Chief Finance Officer in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Following notification by the Police and Crime Commissioner of his intention to appoint a preferred candidate Ms Kira Hughes to the role of Interim Chief Finance 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 Finance Officer which included:

·         The name of the preferred candidate, her experience and background;

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

·         A job description;

·         Candidates CV (exempt)

The Police and Crime Commissioner addressed the Panel, providing background to this appointment and an insight into the consideration given to alternative options and scenarios around the Chief Finance Officer role and an overview of the process undertaken to select his preferred candidate.

The Police and Crime Commissioner commended Ms Kira Hughes to the Panel.

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

The Panel then asked wide ranging questions of the candidate related to her professional competence and personal independence, the answers to which enabled Members to evaluate her suitability for the role. At the end of the questioning the Chair thanked the candidate 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 Finance 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 pubic 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 discussion which examined the evidence provided in the Confirmation Hearing session.

On the basis of the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the candidates full responses to robust and varied questioning and the discussions held during deliberations the Panel were satisfied that the criteria of s113 Local Government Finance Act 1988 were met and unanimously agreed to support the recommendation to appoint.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed appointment of the candidate Kira Hughes be supported.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 11.57am