Agenda item

(to consider further the minute ot the meeting of 23^rd August, which was referred back to the Committee by the Council.)

            (With the exception of the Director of Finance and Resources and the Senior Democratic Services Officer, all other members of staff left the meeting whilst this item was under consideration.)

            The Committee was advised that the Council, at its meeting on 2nd September, had referred back to the Committee the minute of the meeting of 21st August under the heading “Retirement of Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive” 

            A copy of the minute in this regard is set out hereunder:

           The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 21st June, it had been advised of the intention of the Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive to retire from the Council’s service before the end of this calendar year.  The Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive had now confirmed that he would retire with effect from 31st October 2013.  At that meeting, authority had also been delegated to the Chief Executive to examine temporary measures to cover the role of Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive which essentially had two main functions – the provision of the legal function for Belfast City Council and some external bodies (that is, the Town Solicitor element of the role) and the day to day management of the Chief Executive’s Department (that is, the Assistant Chief Executive element).  Accordingly, the Director of Finance and Resources submitted a report in this regard.

            The report indicated that the Director of Health and Environmental Services would assume responsibility for the function of the Good Relations Unit and the Legal Services Manager would undertake additional duties associated with the role of Town Solicitor.  With regard to the duties of the Assistant Chief Executive, it was proposed that an appropriate officer from the Chief Executive’s Department be designated from the relevant tier of management to act as Assistant Chief Executive.  That would be by means of expressions of interest and, if necessary, through a merit based selection process.  In addition, whilst not related to the Assistant Chief Executive’s retirement, a small proportion of the savings effected would used to make appropriate honorarium payments to lead officers of functions within the Chief Executive’s Department who were required to undertake enhanced roles/additional higher level duties.  Accordingly, the Director recommended that the Committee agree to the interim measures as outlined.

            After a lengthy discussion, it was

            Moved by Councillor Hargey,

            Seconded by Councillor Jones,

      That the Committee agrees to approve the proposed interim arrangements to cover the role of the Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive.

Amendment

            Moved by Alderman Browne,

            Seconded by Councillor McCarthy,

      That the Committee agrees that the matter of honorarium payments to appropriate members of staff as outlined be dealt with under the delegated authority of the Chief Executive and the Committee considers only that portion of the report related to the day to day management of the Chief Executive’s Department, that is, the Assistant Chief Executive element.

            On a vote by show hands three Members voted for the amendment and thirteen against and it was declared lost.

            The original proposal standing in the name of Councillor Hargey and seconded by Councillor Jones was thereupon put to the meeting when thirteen Members voted for and three against and it was accordingly declared carried.”

            After discussion, the Committee affirmed its decision of 23rd August and agreed to approve the proposed interim arrangements to cover the role of the Town Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive.