Options to replace the post of Chief Executive
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee considered a report outlining the options for the replacement of the Chief Executive. The following 3 options presented to the Committee were considered:
· Option 1 - Replacing the Chief Executive through a recruitment and selection process to the open market.
· Option 2 - Recruiting an experienced Chief Executive for a temporary period, with the objective of working with the Council to decide the best solution for future leadership of the Council.
· Option 3 - Considering entering into a partnership with another Council for a shared Chief Executive; the Chief Executive would either come from one of the partner authorities or recruited to manage the new partnership.
The Committee reviewed the options set out in the report. Members were advised that Option 3 referred to a partnership as, even if the only element of a partnership was a shared Chief Executive, there would need to be an agreement stating the terms for this arrangement. It was also reported that the post would need to be advertised.
It was noted that a Recovery and Devolution White Paper was expected to be published by the Government in the autumn of 2020, which was likely to include proposals for the creation of Unitary Authorities. Furthermore, recent indications from the Leader of Surrey County Council had indicated support for progressing the creation of a single unitary authority in Surrey.
It was suggested by some Members that a standalone Chief Executive could be appointed for a fixed term until 31 May 2022, with the option to extend the contract, who could lead the authority through unitary negotiations and preparations. Alternative views were put forward on a shared Chief Executive with a neighbouring authority helping to facilitate the expected transition to becoming a Unitary Authority.
Having discussed the advantages and issues associated with each option proposed, the Committee agreed to recommend to the Full Council that, in order to achieve the best outcome for the Council, the options to recruit a standalone Chief Executive and further explore a shared Chief Executive should be pursued in parallel.
RECOMMENDED to Full Council that the options to recruit a standalone Chief Executive and to further explore a shared Chief Executive be pursued in parallel.