Decision details

Lucy Thompson, Director of People, presented a report that provided an update and the proposed next steps relating to the council's statutory officer vacancies and interim arrangements, following Full Council's appointment of Mark Wynn as the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service of the county council.

In presenting the report, it was noted that due to the fast-moving environment of securing suitable candidates, the report was recommending the Chief Executive be authorised to appoint an Interim Director of Finance and Commerce, to ensure the post was filled on an interim basis before the current Interim Director of Finance and Commerce left the authority on 31 March 2025.

The report also set out the plan to recruit a permanent Director of Finance and Commerce, who would also be given the statutory role of Chief Financial Officer of the county council, (Section 151 officer) including authorising the Director of People, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to finalise the arrangements for the recruitment of a permanent Director of Finance and Commerce. However, it was clarified that a final shortlist of candidates would be provided to the committee for approval at a future date, which the committee would then interview.

It was also noted that the report sought approval to extend the current contract of the Interim Executive Director of Adult Services to 31 December 2025.

Resolved: That

1. The recruitment of an Interim Director of Finance and Commerce (and Chief Financial Officer) be approved and that the Chief Executive be authorised to appoint to this interim role, subject to the proposed appointment being notified to every Cabinet Member and no objections being received, in accordance with the Employment Committee's Terms of Reference;
2. The plan for the recruitment of a permanent Director of Finance and Commerce, who will also hold the statutory role of Chief Financial Officer, be approved;
3. The Director of People be authorised, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to finalise the arrangements for the recruitment of a permanent Director of Finance and Commerce, not including final shortlisting and appointment decisions which shall be taken by the Employment Committee; and
4. The current contract for the Interim Executive Director of Adult Services, who holds the statutory role of Director of Adult Social Services, be extended to 31 December 2025.