Agenda and minutes

To Approve as a Correct Record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Chief Officer Employment Committee held on 23 February 2022.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Chief Officer Employment Committee held on 23 February 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this point in the meeting.

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee received a report which asked that consideration be given to a request for a change in terms and conditions for the post of Chief Executive.

The Interim Monitoring Officer, outlined the amendment in conditions being sought, and detailed in Section 2.1 of the report.

The Leader, as the person responsible for appraising the Chief Executive, outlined his rationale for supporting the proposed amendment to Terms and Conditions, speaking highly of the achievements realised by the Council and the resilient financial position achieved. under the Post Holder’s leadership.  The Leader considered reward and recognition were important for all employees.

Debate ensued and in responding to Committee’s questions about whether the decision could set a precedent, the East Midlands Council Advisor confirmed that Chief Executive Officers’ were covered by agreements which were separate to all other members of staff.  It was further confirmed that a number of Councils were looking at ways, both inside and outside of financial incentives, to both attract and retain Chief Executive Officers. 

Other Members referred to the 3.5% final pay offer, which if accepted, would be awarded next year (23/24). Some Members were less comfortable with the West Lindsey proposal, whilst others noted that a finite level of leave could be taken in any one year; as it may become operationally difficult for the Post Holder to exercise extended Terms.

In responding to further questions, the East Midlands Council Advisor, confirmed whilst this arrangement would fall outside of NJC arrangements, the nationally set terms and conditions were the minimum an Authority must offer. The Committee could legitimately and reasonably offer Terms and Conditions above those national minimums, with many Councils choosing to do so.

Lengthy discussion ensued, some suggested that the offer was too generous whilst others considered it a reasonable one. The East Midlands Councils Advisor explained that other district and borough Chief Executive’s received more leave and salary than West Lindsey’s Head of Paid Service.  Members requested that the East Midlands Council’s representative produce a comparable table setting out Head of Paid Service leave and salary.

During that discussion Officers present clarified a number of points, including that the pay award for 2023/24 had not been finalised; the information Committee Members had referenced was the full and final offer which had been put to Unions, but as yet, not accepted.  All Chief Executives, had in 2022/2023, been awarded the flat rate increase applied to all local government staff, agreed nationally, but they had not been eligible for the additional days leave granted to other staff, again through national agreement mechanisms.  Flexi-time did not apply to Chief Officers including the Chief Executive.  The typical package offered to Chief Executives was shared, with this proposal not considered disproportionate by the Committee’s Advisor from the East Midlands Council.  Members indicated comparable data would be of assistance.

A question was posed with regards staff taking holiday and ensuring that there was sufficient cover. The Monitoring Officer clarified that the Head of Paid Service was responsible for staffing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.