Agenda item

            (At this point in the meeting, at the request of the Chairman, all officers present, with the exception of the Director of Parks and Leisure and the Democratic Services Officer, left the room whilst this item was discussed.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.Relevant Background Information

      On 11 February 2010, the Parks and Leisure Committee approved the creation of a new Head of Service post; this was also agreed by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 19 February 2010.

      On 13 May 2010, the Parks and Leisure Committee considered the most appropriate way to fill the permanent post and agreed that, given the uncertainty about the RPA timetable and whether or not the RPA Vacancy Control Scheme would be partially or wholly removed, the post should be filled on a temporary basis for a period of six months with the option to extend for a further six months.  At that time, it was felt that once definitive guidance was received regarding the RPA Vacancy Control Scheme, the council would then be in a better position to know how it should fill the permanent post i.e. either through internal trawl as a result of continuing RPA Vacancy Control or external advertisement and public competition.    

2.   Key Issues

      The RPA Vacancy Control Scheme has been officially suspended.

·         The timeframe for filling the post on a temporary basis is nearing completion and, in the absence of an RPA Vacancy Control Scheme, the post should be filled through external advertisement and public competition.   

·         In accordance with Local Government Staff Commission (LGSC) guidance the selection panel should comprise the Chair and Deputy Chair (or their nominees) and another member of the committee, along with the Director of Parks and Leisure and another director, or Head of Human Resources.  

·         The entire panel needs to be representative of gender and community background with all panel members having attended recent training on the council’s recruitment and selection procedures.  An observer from the LGSC and a professional assessor may also be in attendance but with no voting rights.

3.   Resource Implications

      No costs in addition to the normal agreed recruitment process for a head of service post.

4.   Equality and Good Relations Implications

      The post will be publically recruited in accordance with statutory requirements and Local Government Staff Commission best practice guidelines.

5.   Recommendations

      It is recommended that the post of Head of Parks and Leisure be recruited on a permanent basis through external advertisement and public competition. 

The proposed recruitment and selection schedule is as follows:

1.the vacancy will be publicly advertised on 3 and 4 March 2011 with a closing date of 18 March 2011;

2.the panel short-list will take place on 28 March 2011;

3.short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a full day assessment centre on 5 April or 6 April 2011;

4.Members’ briefing and panel approval of outcome of assessment centre will be held on 7 April 2011; and

5.panel interviews will be held on 13 April 2011.

      Finally, it is recommended, in the interests of making an early appointment, that the selection panel be given delegated authority to offer the post to the recommended candidate with the outcome being reported back to committee for notation.

6.   Decision Tracking

      The outcome of the recruitment process will be verbally reported to committee for notation on Thursday 14 April 2011 by the Director of Parks and Leisure.

7.   Key to Abbreviations

      SP&R:       Strategic Policy and Resources 

      RPA:          Review of Public Administration.”

            After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor G. Robinson,

Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Humphrey),

      That the post of Head of Parks and Leisure be re-titled Assistant Director of Parks and Leisure.

            On a vote by show of hands ten Members voted for the proposal and one against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            After further discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the report and agreed also that the Director of Parks and Leisure liaise with the Party Groupings on the Council in order to appoint an additional member to the selection panel.