Agenda item

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Monitoring Officer seeking Members’ consideration of a recommendation coming forward from the Working Group (Appendix 1 to the report) established by the Council to consider the four recommendations set out in the Review report provided by the East of England Local Government Association, commissioned by the Leader of the Council, regarding the Tier 1 Leadership of the Council (Appendix 2).

The report provided background information in relation to the Review (Appendix 2) that had been undertaken and the recommendations set out within it.  Following consideration of this report by the Council at its meeting on 14 December 2023 a Working Group was established

Following a presentation of the report by the Leader of the Council, a lengthy debate ensued during which Members discussed the options set out in the Appendix and the risks to the Council. 

In response to questions regarding the potential savings from the options the Interim Chief Finance Officer, Lead Specialist: Legal and Lead Specialist: HR provided Members with additional information and clarification. 

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor S J N Morgan requested a recorded vote. 

The Leader of the Council clarified that recommendation (i) sought the Council’s in principle agreement to start the consultation process and the matter would be brought back to the Council at a later date.  He proposed that in respect of recommendation (i) model 3 (as recommended by the Working Group and set out in Appendix 1) be agreed along with recommendations (ii) to (iv).  This was duly seconded.

The Chairperson then moved the proposal in the name of the Leader that an ‘in principle’ decision was made on model 3 set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  A vote was taken and the results were as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, J Driver, A Fittock, A S Fluker, L J Haywood, J C Hughes, K Jennings, K M H Lagan, A M Lay, M G Neall, R H Siddall, U G C Siddall-Norman, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens, J C Stilts and N J Swindle.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M F L Durham, N R Miller, S J N Morgan, R G Pratt and M E Thompson.

Abstain: None.

The Chairperson declared that this proposal had therefore been agreed.  He then moved recommendations (ii) to (iv) as set out in the report and these were duly agreed by assent.

RESOLVED

(i)                That an “in principle” decision is made that the Council starts the process for Model 3 as recommended by the Working Group and set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)              That following a formal consultation process with affected employees, the consultation responses will be considered by the Working Group to make recommendations to the Council on whether the “in principle” decision should be confirmed;

(iii)             That authorisation is given to engage external HR support advising the Working Group and working alongside the Leader of the Council and Monitoring Officer including changes associated with the Organisational Change Policy and Procedure, providing advice that the Monitoring Officer considers is necessary prior to any re-consideration of any “in principle” decision;

(iv)             That the costs associated with external HR support to be funded from the Council’s transformational fund.