Decision details

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report to inform Members about the recruitment process for a third Independent Person and to seek approval for this appointment. Two Independent Persons had previously been appointed by the Council in October 2014.

The Monitoring Officer explained that, in addition to being consulted during the councillor complaints process, the role of the Independent Persons now included involvement in disciplinary matters that could lead to the dismissal of the Council’s statutory officers (Head of Paid Service, Chief Finance Officer and Monitoring Officer).

The applicant was interviewed by the Monitoring officer and the Chair of the Standards and Audit Committee and was recommended for appointment as an Independent Person. The Standards and Audit Committee supported this recommendation (Minute No (2015/16)).

The alternative options that were considered included not appointing an addition Independent Person and continuing with only two, or not appointing this applicant and reopening the recruitment process. It was previously agreed that three Independent Persons would be an appropriate number to be appointed, and it was agreed that this applicant be recommended for appointment.

*RESOLVED –

That it be recommended to Full Council that the applicant recommended by the Chair of Standards and Audit Committee and the Monitoring Officer be appointed as a third Independent Person for the purposes of giving views on complaints about councillors and involvement in statutory officer disciplinary proceedings.

REASON FOR DECISION

To enable the Council to operate the ethical standards system effectively and as required by the law.