To appoint a Chairman for the meeting.

RESOLVED

that Councillor J G Jamieson be appointed Chairman of the Sub-Committee for this meeting only.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

that in accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider a report setting out a draft list of duties for the post of Chief Legal and Democratic Services Officer together with person specifications and a timetable for the recruitment process.

The Sub-Committee considered documents setting out the draft job description and draft person specification, together with the proposed recruitment timetable, for the post of Chief Legal and Democratic Services Officer.

The meeting first worked through the draft job description and draft person specification.  Amendments were proposed to the latter.

The Sub-Committee turned to consider the recruitment timetable for the post.

The Sub-Committee requested that the closing date for applications be extended to 5.00 p.m. on Thursday, 30 May.  The extension would allow prospective candidates an additional week to apply.  Members noted that, as a result, the Sub-Committee meeting to consider the longlisting of applicants and their subsequent interview and testing by Solace, the Council’s recruitment partner, would take place later than anticipated.  In addition, the informal meetings with the Leader and the Chief Executive would be with the shortlisted candidates only.

RESOLVED

1          that the draft job description for the post of Chief Legal and Democratic Services Officer, as submitted, be confirmed;

2          that the person specification for the above post, as submitted, be confirmed subject to the following amendment:

Part 3, Skills and Abilities – that an additional section be added emphasising the extent of the gravitas required whilst stressing that the post holder is the senior legal advisor to the Council, which requires quick thinking at times, and that he or she should be capable of driving forward an effective Legal Service;

3          that the proposed timetable for the recruitment and selection process for the above post, as submitted, be agreed subject to the following amendments:

a)                 that the closing date for applications be 5.00 p.m. on 30 May 2013;

b)                 that the meeting of the Appointments Sub-Committee to consider the longlisting of applicants take place during the week commencing 3 June 2013;

c)                 that the interviewing and testing of longlisted applicants take place during the week commencing 10 June 2013;

d)                 that the programme be adjusted to take account of the informal meetings with the Leader and the Chief Executive being with shortlisted candidates only.