Meeting documents

It was proposed by Councillor R Reed, seconded by Councillor P Jones, and resolved that Councillor M R Smith be appointed Chairman for the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members were asked to agree the proposed Terms of Reference of the Joint Appointments and Implementation Committee (JAIC).

After noting that each authority could appoint no more than two members to the JAIC who were also members of the Joint Committee (i.e. membership was restricted to no more than two Cabinet members per authority), it was

RESOLVED -

That the Terms of Reference for the Joint Appointments and Implementation Committee be agreed.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED -

That under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Janet Beaumont of Janet M Beaumont Associates Ltd had been appointed to provide independent HR advice to support the proposals for Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils to share a senior management team.

The report before the Committee looked at the stage one process - the appointments of the Chief Executive and two Directors - detailing draft Job Descriptions, Person Specifications and Terms and Conditions.  Also included in the report was an outline of the recruitment process with a draft timetable; information regarding Heads of Service; a risk register; and, the financial, legal and equalities implications.

Janet Beaumont was in attendance to answer questions.

It was noted that both authorities utilised different Job Evaluation schemes to assess the level and grading of posts.  In order to ensure total independence the National Local Government Employers had been commissioned to undertake an independent review of the job descriptions, utilising both schemes for information purposes, and to make recommendations with regard to the salary ranges.  A summary of the results was detailed in the report.  It was noted that pension costs were not included as part of the salary recommendations.

Janet Beaumont advised that the independent report contained an inconsistency in relation to the upper range of the Chief Executive’s salary which was correct in the second table in paragraph 5 of the report, and incorrect in the first.

At the request of Members, the Full Report produced by the National Local Government Employers was circulated at the meeting, and collected again at the conclusion.  Having reviewed the report and additional salary information provided, Members agreed the salary ranges recommended and the proposal to assimilate the successful applicants at a spot salary which accommodated the additional allowances currently paid.

Job Descriptions and Person Specifications

The job description for the Chief Executive needed to include reference to the Chilterns Crematorium, jointly operated by Chiltern, Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe District Councils.

It was agreed that the requirement for local government experience should be removed from the person specification for Directors.  Members were keen that the best person should undertake the roles regardless of whether they were from a public or private sector background.

Regarding the essential requirement that applicants have a valid driving licence, Members were of the opinion that this should not be a contractual requirement for any of the posts, since travelling could be completed by other means.  It was agreed that this be removed from the person specification, and a note be included in the appointment letter stating that travel should ‘at their own expense’ if a valid licence was not held.

It was agreed that the other requirements to be ‘qualified to degree level or equivalent’ and to have their ‘own transport’ be removed from the person specification for each post.

Regarding the job description for the Directors, it was agreed that the list of specific duties should refer to it not being ‘exhaustive’.

Terms and Conditions

It was noted that reference to the car loan scheme and trade union recognition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Members were asked to agree a Calendar of Meetings up to July 2011.

The difficulty in identifying mutually convenient dates for meetings was acknowledged.  However, it was also recognised that if the timetable was to be achieved, the project needed to be accorded a very high priority, possibly resulting in other competing commitments not being fulfilled.  Members also accepted that, subject to the quorum being met, meetings might need to progress when not all ten members were present.

After agreeing that meetings should usually commence at 6pm, and noting the need for an additional meeting on 10 February, it was

RESOLVED -

That the following meeting dates for the Joint Appointments and Implementation Committee be agreed:

• Friday 10 February, at 10, at South Bucks District Council
• Tuesday 28 February, at 6pm, at Chiltern District Council
• Wednesday 4 April, at 6pm, at South Bucks District Council
• Wednesday 2 May, at 6pm, at Chiltern District Council
• Wednesday 30 May, at 6pm at South Bucks District Council
• Thursday 5 July, at 6pm at Chiltern District Council
• Thursday 26 July, at 6pm at South Bucks District Council