Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Mullaney, Councillor Loydall, Councillor Russell, Councillor Woodman 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 Commisioner of his intention to appoint his preferred candidate Mrs Kira Hughes to the role of Chief Financial Officer in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibiltiy Act 2011.

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

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

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

· The candidates CV (exempt),

· A job description.

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

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

The Panel asked the Police and Crime Commissioner several questions, this included seeking assurance as to the fairness and transparency of approach taken to this appointment. The Panel then asked a series of robust 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 for her 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 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 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 and examined the evidence provided in the Confirmation Hearing session.

The Panel assessed the candidate’s ability based upon her suitability to undertake the role.

Members noted the candidate’s wealth of experience and proficiency she would bring to this role.

Members felt the candidate was very credible and met the standards of professional competence and personal independence necessary to undertake the role in a confident manner.

On the basis of the information provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner, the candidate’s responses to robust and varied questioning during deliberations the Panel supported the proposed appointment.

RESOLVED:

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

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 12.50pm.