Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

There was no declarations of interest to report.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2018.

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or statements on the business of the Shadow Dorset Council. Members of the public may submit a written question to the Leader, Portfolio Holder or Chairman of the Shadow Council or committee.  Questions or statements must have been submitted to the Interim Monitoring Officer by 10.00am on 10 December 2018.

There was no public participation to report.

A Shadow Councillor may ask the Chairman, Leader, Portfolio Holder or the Chairman of a committee any question about a matter which the Shadow Council, the Shadow Executive or committee has powers, duties or responsibilities. Questions must have been submitted to the Interim Monitoring Officer by 10.00am on 10 December 2018.      

There were no questions from Councillors.

To receive and note the minutes of the Shadow Executive Committee, 15 October and 12 November 2018.  

The minutes of the meetings held on 15 October and 12 November 2018 were received and noted.

To receive and note the minutes of the Shadow Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 8 October and 7 November 2018.

The minutes of the meetings held on 8 October and 9 November 2018 were received and noted.

Mr J Mair, Interim Monitoring Officer and Mr A Dunn left the meeting room at this juncture.

To consider a report by A Twelves.

The Shadow Council considered a report on the selection committees’ recommendations to appoint the Executive Director People, Adults, the Executive Director People, Children’s and the Executive Director Place. The selection committees also recommended to the Shadow Council the appointment to the following posts; Executive Director Corporate Development and Corporate Director Legal & Democratic.

In considering the report, some members expressed concern that they were being asked to rubber stamp a decision made by the appointments panel, without detailed information on the individuals concerned.  However others indicated that they had confidence in the robust interview process that had taken place.

It was proposed by Cllr Ferrari as Chair of the selection committee that Aidan Dunn be appointed as the Executive Director, Corporate Development (S151) It was proposed by Cllr Flower as Chair of the selection committee that Jonathan Mair be appointed as the Corporate Director Legal & Democratic for Dorset Council.

The Shadow Council was also asked to consider the appointment to the statutory role of Electoral Registration Officer within the remit of the Chief Executive and upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.

Decision

(a)        That the appointment of Aidan Dunn to the position of Executive Director Corporate Development at a spot salary of £135,000, be approved;

(b)        That the appointment of Jonathan Mair to the position of Corporate Director Legal & Democratic at a spot salary of £105,000, be approved;

(c)        That the appointment to the position of Executive Director People, Adults at a spot salary of £135,000 (details to be released at a later date), be noted;

(d)        That the appointment of Sarah Parker to the position of Executive Director People, Children’s at a spot salary of £135,000, be noted;

(e)        That the appointment of John Sellgren to the position of Executive Director Place at a spot salary of £135,000 be noted.

Appointments would be taken up at the earliest possible date and would be dependent upon individual notice periods for the successful candidates.

(f)        That the addition of the statutory role of Electoral Registration Officer within the remit of the Chief Executive duties and responsibilities be agreed.

Mr J Mair and Mr A Dunn returned to the meeting.

To consider a report by S Mackenzie.

Members were advised that Dorset Council and the Shadow Dorset Council were legally required to appoint external auditors.  Cllr Ferrari set out a proposal to appoint the Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) who were willing to manage the appointment of auditors to both councils.  However both councils would be required to opt-in to the arrangements to allow PSAA to act.

It was proposed by Cllr Ferrari seconded by Cllr Lacey-Clarke

Decision

That Dorset Council and the Shadow Dorset Council opt-in to the arrangements for the appointment of external auditors, managed by Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B(4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.  The reason for the urgency shall be specified in the minutes.

The Chairman advised that there was one item of business to be reported to the Shadow Council.

The Corporate Director Legal & Democratic reported that in line with the rules of the Shadow Council constitution, the Leader of the Shadow Council had amended the Council meeting quorum to 41 members.

Following any such amendment these changes must be reported to the next meeting of the Shadow Dorset Council.  In response to questions regarding this decision, the Leader of the Shadow Dorset Council informed members that the decision had been made to reduce the number as a sensible pragmatic approach; recognising that fewer councillors were attending the shadow council meetings. 

The Chairman further indicated that it was important that the Shadow Council was able to take important decisions at future meetings in the New Year, but this decision did not preclude all members from continuing to attend.